GMA declares rehabilitation of 25-km Pasig river

MANILA, Philippines – President Arroyo has declared the dredging and rehabilitation of the 25-kilometer long Pasig river as a presidential priority project.

The declaration became official after Executive Order No. 717 was signed on March 28, but was only released by Malacañang over the weekend.

The announcement coincided with the opening of the 94-kilometer Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) to commercial traffic.

According to the EO the “dredging and rehabilitation of the Pasig River is a Presidential Priority Project that has to be implemented immediately.”

She said the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall be the lead agency in the implementation of the project and that all concerned departments and agencies are directed to provide smooth cooperation for the timely and smooth execution of the project.

Mrs. Arroyo said the river is a vital link in the transport of goods and people and its rehabilitation will be beneficial for the development of Metro Manila and the country in general.

Critical link

Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo said the SCTEX links the economic freeport zones in Clark and Subic.

Fajardo led the SCTEX caravan that was held on Saturday by the Northern Philippines Travel and Convention Bureau (NPTCB).

Mrs. Arroyo earlier led the dry-run of the 43.2-kilometer Clark-Tarlac segment of the SCTEX after she broke the ground for the 88.5- kilometer Tarlac-La Union Toll Expressway (TLUTE) project in Barangay Amucao in La Paz, Tarlac.

Built at a cost of P27 billion, of which P23.06 billion was funded through a loan grant from the Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC) and the rest shouldered by the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), the SCTEX is a major component of the Luzon Urban Beltway, serves as a critical link to vital business corridors in Central