Group backs upgrade of Pasig River ferry system

MANILA, Philippines — A transport advocacy group has expressed support for the government’s plan to upgrade the Pasig River ferry system instead of pushing through with a proposed expressway.

“The way to maximize the ferry system is for the government to give attention and allot funds for its development instead of building an expressway over the Pasig River that will further contribute to its decay,” The Passenger Forum (TPF) convenor Primo Morillo said in a statement.

He added that their group is happy that the Department of Transportation is listening to their suggestions.

Morillo hopes the government will develop the ferry system “by making bigger terminals, adding more stations, acquiring additional waterbuses, among other things that will make commuter experience better.”

The TPF has been pushing for the expansion of the ferry system and thumbed down the proposal for the Pasig River Expressway (PAREX).

The group said that PAREX only prioritizes private cars and is not environment-friendly, which could be worrisome for the rehabilitation of the waterway.

“It also endangers multiple heritage sites and historical buildings in Manila, especially inside Intramuros. Even their environment impact assessment report has been suspected to be plagiarized,” Morillo said.