‘Intramuros protected amid Pasig River rehab’

MANILA, Philippines — The walled city of Intramuros will be protected during the Pasig River urban development project, according to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

“President Marcos and the First Lady ordered us to take care of Intramuros’ cultural heritage. Rest assured that the IAC-PRUD will protect Intramuros,” Housing Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said yesterday. ?  

The Inter-agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development – which Acuzar leads – and the DHSUD committed to keeping Intramuros untouched throughout construction around the area as part of the Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli project.

The ongoing construction will interconnect the showcase area — now a popular outdoor gathering spot among tourists and locals — to the Intramuros area through the walkway and transition bridge under Jones Bridge.

The showcase area behind the Manila Central Post Office was inaugurated on Jan. 17. Construction work on the multi-phased transformation of the Pasig River extended to Intramuros last month.

The DHSUD is coordinating with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts to ensure the preservation and protection of the walled city.

Last year, Marcos signed Executive Order 35 calling for the “rehabilitation of the Pasig River to its historically pristine condition conducive to transport, recreation and tourism.”

The project also aims to transform the 25-kilometer stretch of the river into a people-centered and community-driven park with walk paths and bike lanes.

When completed, it would provide the public with seamless travel on foot or two wheels from Manila Bay to Laguna de Bay.

“Commuters can also transition from surface roads to water transport through bridge walks which will be constructed at major points that will serve as pick-up and drop-off points for the water ferries,” Acuzar said.

The project has an estimated completion time of three to five years and will be funded through private sector donations.