Duterte scraps Pasig River rehabilitation body

President Duterte has formally ordered the abolition of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) nearly two months after floating the idea of dissolving the body because the river was already “uncleanable.”

In Executive Order (EO) No. 93, the President transferred the functions of the Pasig River rehab body to the Manila Bay Task Force; the

departments of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), and Public Works and Highways (DPWH); and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

The PRRC on Thursday said it would respect the decision of Malacañang to abolish the agency.

In a statement, the PRRC said it will “abide by the order immediately and assist the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in the winding up of the operations, as well as the transfer of functions, obligations, assets and liabilities pursuant to the order.”

“Rest assured that the efforts for the rehabilitation of the Pasig River shall carry on as planned and we remain hopeful that the mandated agencies will continue the legacy of the Commission and the predecessors of the Pasig River rehabilitation program,” it added.

Under the EO, the Manila

Bay Task Force will update and take the lead in the overall implementation of the Pasig River rehabilitation master plan, which shall harness the Pasig River’s potential for transportation, recreation and tourism purposes while undertaking the rehabilitation and restoration of its marine life.

The DENR was designated to ensure that the easements provided for in the Civil Code and other laws are enforced, especially in all the esteros and waterways that drain into the Pasig River, as well as abate the dumping of untreated industrial wastewater and sewerage into the river.

The DHSUD was ordered to expedite the relocation of informal settlers and other unauthorized or unlawful occupants along the banks of the river.

The MMDA and DPWH, meanwhile, shall ensure the dismantling and removal of all structures and other encroachments built along the Pasig River which are in violation of the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992.

The said two agencies were also ordered to undertake civil works, as may be necessary, such as dredging and cleaning of the Pasig River and all the inland channels, esteros and waterways that drain into it.

The MMDA and DPWH were directed to coordinate with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), local government units, and the Philippine National Police Maritime Group.

The PRRC was formed through EO 54 signed by then President Joseph Estrada to rehabilitate the river connecting the Laguna de Bay and the Manila Bay. It was also mandated to ensure that the Pasig River is rehabilitated to its pristine condition that can support and sustain aquatic life and resources and be conducive for transport, recreation and tourism.

The President had earlier transferred the chairmanship of the PRRC to the DENR and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). Later on, he sacked the body’s former head Jose Antonio Goitia due to corruption allegations.

In June 2019, the PRRC denied the alleged misuse of funds for the rehabilitation of Metro Manila’s waterways or esteros.

In a speech last September, Duterte said he may dissolve the PRRC and transfer its functions to the DENR because the river was already beyond cleaning.

“’Yang Pasig na ‘yan ‘di mo malinis ‘yan because wala naman tayong zoning. Yung mga lumalabas sa bahay at factory sa Pasig napupunta. Panahon pa ni Rizal (You cannot clean that Pasig River because we don’t have zoning here. The wastes from houses and factories go there even during Rizal’s time),” Duterte said.

“How can you clean that? Kaya itong commission sa Pasig, tanggalin ko na ito, place it under Gen. Cimatu sa DENR. ‘Di mo malinis talaga ‘yan (So I’m thinking of dissolving the PRRC and place it under Secretary Roy Cimatu at the DENR because it’s already uncleanable),” he added.