President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday night launched Phase 4 of the Pasig River rehabilitation program as he promised more upcoming initiatives to improve river sustainability and public spaces.
Marcos was joined by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos – an advocate of the Pasig River Bigyang Buhay Muli program – and other government officials in launching the new 530-meter segment.
“Every time we gather here by the Pasig River, we are reminded that progress does not always mean building something new. Sometimes, progress means bringing something beautiful back to life,” the President said in his speech at the Manila Metropolitan Theater.
Phase 4 features walkways, bike lanes, and commercial spaces that will run behind the Manila Central Post Office to the Arroceros Forest Park. It also connects with the Phase 1 of the project or the esplanade showcase area behind the Manila Central Post Office.
The President said the rehabilitated environs of the Pasig River will “link people, culture and opportunity” as a commercial space for small and medium-sized businesses and a tourist spot for fitness buffs, food lovers, and lovers of all ages.
“For the romantic at heart, you can enjoy a sunset stroll, hand in hand with your significant other. At kung wala pa sya, baka naman dito mo naman mahanap ‘yung ‘the one,’” he quipped.
(For the romantic at heart, you can enjoy a sunset stroll, hand in hand with your significant other. And if you’re still single, you might just meet ‘the one’ here.)
Marcos said the government relocated 63 informal settler families to Naic, Cavite for Phase 4 of the Pasig River rehabilitation project.
He also cited recent efforts towards river sustainability, such as the Department of Science and Technology’s M/B Dalaray – a locally-designed electric ferry that was launched earlier this month and will be fully operational by November.
The government is also pilot testing ClearBot, a solar-powered, AI-enabled robotic vessel to help clean up waterways. ClearBot is a collaboration with the Asian Development Bank.
Marcos also announced the government’s plan to transform more urban spaces into public spaces in collaboration with Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso. The two leaders met in Malacañang on Friday.
Some of their upcoming projects are the conversion of the Intramuros Golf Course into an open green space and the rehabilitation of Plaza Calderon and the Lawton Underpass to improve public spaces and pedestrian access.
The Chief Executive credited the First Lady as the driving force behind the rehabilitation project, fondly calling her the government’s “non-stop Energizer bunny.”
The Pasig River rehabilitation effort recently won the 2025 Asian Townscape Award from the United Nations Habitat for sustainable urban development.
“All these efforts are part of a larger vision to create a culturally rich urban environment where history, nature and modern living come together seamlessly,” Marcos said.
“This is yet more proof that when the national government, the private sector, local government units, and the communities collaborate and work as one, great, game-changing things will happen,” he added. — JMA, GMA Integrated News
