World’s longest mural planned along Pasig River wall

MANILA, Philippines - From being one of the most polluted rivers in the world, Pasig River would take a shot next year at bagging the title of having the longest mural along its wall and longest line of garbage collection.

Ahwel Paz, Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project (PMRCIP) media coordinator, said that they would attempt these feats once they complete rehabilitating the 23-kilometer stretch of the Pasig River from Delpan in Manila all the way up to Marikina.

Paz said that once the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed the project by next year, they would hold several culminating events to highlight the improvement of the river.

“We want to vie for the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest line in collecting garbage from the Pasig River and (another) is for students to line up along the longest mural painting. But these (plans) are not yet final, we are still soliciting the support of the community,” he said.

To cap the project, they are also exploring the possibility of holding a regatta or boat race, or turn the river into a venue for a fluvial parade. The organizers are also planning to hold a concert and revive the song “Anak ng Pasig” that was sung by Geneva Cruz.

To prove that the river is already safe for recreational swimming, champion swimmer-turned-actor Enchong Dee has reportedly promised to take a dip.

The group is discussing with the Department of Tourism (DOT) the possibility of organizing a river tour along the Pasig River.

“It is still a long shot but we are keeping our fingers crossed,” Paz said.

He said they are coordinating with the local governments, student organizations, barangays, non-government organizations and private entities from the cities of Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Marikina, Taguig and Quezon.

They are also seeking the support of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the National Housing Authority (NHA).

DPWH Undersecretary for Project Management Office (PMO) Operations for Foreign-Assisted Projects Rafael Yabut said they have already made improvements on the Pasig River like increasing the height of its walls from one meter to 2.5 meters to prevent flooding even during heavy downpour.

Yabut said the improvements were made possible through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) grant program of yen Loan Technical Assistance.

The government has secured a P5-billion loan from the Japanese government.

Akio Isomata, economic minister of the Embassy of Japan, said the undertaking was one of their “signature projects for flood control in Metro Manila.”

With this improvement, the estimated 40 barangays located near the Pasig River would be safe from intense flooding.

Last year the DPWH completed phase 1 and 2 of the project that covered the detailed design and the channel improvement works of the waterway.

The DPWH launched last Thursday the “Learn, Live, Love Campaign for Pasig River” in Barangay Hulo, Mandaluyong City.

“We have physically finished on the project, this is now our information campaign. This is a sustainable program to educate our people to keep the river clean,” said the DPWH official.