Metro Manila Development Authority tries do do that, and look at the politicos and kibitzers who criticize him for doing his job.The media as well. But he and his people already did the cleanup of the Marikina River and its city environs. 
 
It is really the lack of political will, and all the lolly gagging and emotional drama over illegal settlers, and sidewalk vendors, as well as pedestrians who don't follow traffic rules indicates that the RP really is still in the Third-World development stage. 
 
Even Jamie Cardinal Sin observed the move out and demolition of illegal settler shanties on Church properties during his time. 
 
I wonder how many "advocates" here will have the will themselves to enforce the cleanup. The government plans and agencies already exist. The problem is the politicos and "advocates". Will they agree to a massive move out of the shanties? Corporate dumping should be no problem as fines and other penalties such as tax measures can be imposed; that is a bottom-line solution. 
 
Jose Caedo 
San Francisco, CA 
 
As posted also in the

Hereunder is a Presidential Proclamation which in itself is a directive and authority for the conduct of the yearly Pasig River Heritage Marathon in Metro Manila (Philippines) which is usually held on the last Sunday of February. 
 
It appears that the Clean and Green Foundation, Inc. and the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission are the main offices/entities vested to manage and administer the conduct of the Pasig River Heritage Marathon in collaboration and support from the different Presidential Cabinet Offices. 
 
I really do not know the persons and personalities running these “main offices/institutions” in the conduct of the said marathon but I will make a separate postings on my observations when I joined the 2005 Pasig River Heritage Marathon Race on 27 February 2005. 
 
Later, the name “Philippine Marathon For The Pasig River Day” was changed to its present name as “Pasig River Heritage Marathon”. 
 
MALACAÑang 
Manila 
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES 
PROCLAMATION NO. 780 
 
DECLARING FEBRUARY 27, 2005 AS “PHILIPPINE MARATHON FOR THE PASIG RIVER DAY” AND THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2005 AND EVERY YEAR THEREAFTER AS “PHILIPPINE MARATHON FOR THE PASIG RIVER MONTH 
 
“WHEREAS, the Philippines, being a signatory to several international conventions on the environment, manifests a strong adherence and commitment to international environmental laws; 
 
WHEREAS, the Department of Tourism is mandated to develop sustainable tourism and ensure the sustainable use, develop and management of the country’s environment, natural resources and cultural heritage; 
 
WHEREAS, the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission is mandated to undertake the rehabilitation of the Pasig River and ensure its ecological well-being; 
 
WHEREAS, the annual Pasig River Heritage Marathon is one of the biggest events in local sports and environmental advocacy and has been accredited by the International Association of Athletic Federations and the Association of International Marathons and Road Races, thereby making it an official international marathon event. 
 
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare February 27, 2005 as “Philippine Marathon for the Pasig River Day” and the month of February 2005 and every year thereafter as “Philippine Marathon for the Pasig River Month”. All concerned departments and agencies of the government are enjoined to participate in the celebration by properly observing the event and actively supporting the programs and activities related to this occasion. 
 
The Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Tourism, Department of Transportation and Communication, Metro Manila Development Authority, Philippines Sports Commission and all local government units in the National Capital Region are hereby directed to fully collaborate with the Clean and Green Foundation, Inc. and the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission to ensure the success of the programs and activities related to this event. 
 
DONE in the City of Manila, this 7th day February, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Five. 
 
(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO 
 
By the President: 
(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA 
Executive Secretary 
 
Sent by: 
Nat John G. Duenas 
Redwood City, California 
 

Pasig River Rehabilitation Program Pasig River System – Metro Manila  
Murphy, Denis; Anana, Ted, Urban Poor Associates, Philippines. Case study, 2004  
 
This is the story of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Project as it affected the lives of the approximately 60,000 poor families who once lived along its banks. It is a story of evictions, people’s organizing, short-sighted local officials, presidential politics, a cooperative Asian Development Bank, upgrading efforts, failure and success. 
 
--------------------------------- 
 
1. History, Background and Context 
Through Manila's early history, the Pasig River which runs through the heart of the metropolis was the city's center and lifeline. It was the principal means of transport, and the big warehouses and factories were on the river as well as the houses of the rich, including the presidential palace. However, after World War II and with population growth, road construction, and newer business location strategies, the city center moved from the river to other sites. Makati, for example, became the city's business center. The river was largely abandoned. Many urban poor people moved in, factories were abandoned, and the wealthy moved off. The river became the sewer of the city rather than its lifeline. 
 
The Pasig River system is a strategic and environmentally endangered waterway. Winding through the most densely populated areas in the country's National Capital Region (NCR), the river links Manila Bay in the west with Laguna Lake in the east. 
 
The river is 26 kilometers long, 50 meters wide, and an average of four to six meters deep. The river basin includes eight cities and three municipalities,: Pasig City, City of Manila, Pateros, Caloocan City, Marikina City, Pasay City, Taguig, Quezon City, San Juan, Mandaluyong City, and Makati City. The Pasig River basin area is 570 sq. km. 
 
Deterioration of the Pasig River became noticeable as far back as the 1930s. During that period, fish migration from Laguna Lake began to diminish. In the 1950s, there was a drop in bathing activities in the Pasig. In the 1960s, people no longer used the river for washing clothes. Ferry boat transport also began to decline. By the 1970s, the river began to give off an offensive smell, especially during the dry season. In early 1980s, all fishing activity within the river system was no longer possible. 
 
By the early 1990s, the Pasig River was generally considered biologically inactive. Health authorities found its coliform content to be extraordinarily high, making the river a vector for disease. Entire stretches of the water had acquired a dark, murky color. Huge islands of floating garbage encrusted the water surface in many parts of the river system. Sunken boats and abandoned barges made navigation not only difficult but hazardous. Along with factories, commercial establishments and houses, colonies of makeshift shanties lined long stretches of the riverbank, as well as major creeks and esteros. Flooding in many areas along the river also became more frequent. 
 
Rehabilitation of the Pasig River began in 1991 with help from the Danish aid agency DANIDA. Emphasis was on improving water quality and environmental matters. During the Ramos administration some 5,000 families living on stilts were relocated, mostly to Dasmariñas, Cavite. The people were said to be major polluters of the river. Studies show between 30 and 40% of these people returned to Manila for economic reasons. 
During the Estrada years evictions took place again affecting families living within 10 meters of the river. This extension of the easement from three meters in the national Water Code was done by resolutions of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and is hotly contested. Lawyers say the MMDA doesn't have the power to change a national law. Approximately 5,000 families were evicted, most of whom were sent to Kasiglahan Village I, Montalban, also known as "Erap City." 
 
In August 2000 the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the government signed an agreement that would eventually give equal priority to the environment and the people living along the banks. In September 2000 the residents of Pineda resisted demolition. One member of the demolition team was killed, and ADB told the government to stop all evictions and deal with the people in a more humane way. 
 
In the two series of evictions, the NGOs working on the river cooperated with the government. However, this relationship changed in September 2000 when the Pineda community organized to resist demolition. This story will be told below. 
The water cleaning part of the project is making progress, according to ADB officials. The urban renewal work is not, and indeed the lack of progress seriously tempted the ADB to cancel the loan agreement in 2003. 
2. Objectives, Strategies and Reaches 
a. The objectives of the government and the ADB are contained in their Resettlement Action Program (March 2000). 
"The overall objectives are to improve environmental management of the Pasig River basin within Metro Manila, particularly for wastewater management and to promote urban renewal. The specific purpose is to restore and sustain Class C water quality standard for the Pasig River. 
An important component is the establishment of 10-meter wide environmental preservation areas (EPAs) along approximately 23 km. of both banks of the Pasig River. The establishment of EPAs is essential to (i) ensure public safety, and provide a buffer zone between the river and resident population to protect them from flooding; (ii) enable environmental management, and reduce the direct discharge of untreated liquid and solid wastes to the river, (iii) provide access to the river for emergencies, maintenance, river transport, and amenities; and (iv) provide recreation areas like riverside parks, greenbelts, and promenades. To establish the EPAs, it is necessary to relocate informal settler families currently living along the riverbanks in dangerous, depressed, and unsanitary conditions. 
 
b. The following are the objectives, strategies, and reaches of the NGOs and people's organizations (POs) working along the river.  
Objectives: 
 
Halt all evictions beyond a three-meter easement that is required in the national Water Code. Require government to limit easement to only three meters, not 10.  
Work with government, ADB and other housing groups to upgrade the urban poor areas and help form decent sustainable communities.  
Take steps to limit flood control infrastructure on Laguna Lake, the source of the Pasig River, that will destroy the livelihood of 70,000 fishermen around the lake. This area was not prominent in the ADB-government agreement but it has become more and more of a crucial issue since the lake is the source of the river's water.  
Establish strong POs and a river system wide coalition of poor people's organizations.  
Gain allies in the religious, academic and business communities. 
Strategic Criteria: 
1. The NGOs and POs stress the importance of true people's participation in the solution of problems. 
2. They realize they need allies at all levels of society to support their work. 
3. Good solutions result from good negotiations and good negotiations depend on government and funding agencies accepting the poor as main actors and decision makers, in short, as equals. 
Size of Participating and Beneficiary Populations: 
 
It is difficult to say exactly how many families are involved. There were 60,000 families along the river proper in 2000, according to an Urban Poor Associates ocular survey. Along the tributaries there are an additional 10,000 families, according to a recent statement of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). Around the lake are another 70,000-80,000 families. All these families are directly affected. They total 140,000-150,000 families or 700,000-750,000 persons at five members per family. 
Territory Reach: 
 
The river runs 26 kilometers from the lake to Manila Bay. Its tributaries run through eight cities and three municipalities. The lake is shared by 182 seashore lakeside barangays, and is 90,000 hectares in extent. It is a total river system: catchment area (the lake), the tributaries, and the river itself. 
Innovative Aspects: 
 
Socio-organizational. This is the first attempt to build a people's coalition among so many communities around one government project. New organization structures are needed. For the government also the number of local governments involved in coordinating the project is unprecedented.  
Technological. Possibly the dike techniques involved on the lake.  
Financial. Financial arrangements follow traditional practices.  
Methodological. Not since the early 1970's in the Tondo Foreshore Project funded by the World Bank have so many NGOs and POs worked together with government and a multi-lateral funder on such a major project. 
3. Actors Involved and their Roles 
Beneficiary population  
700,000-750,000 poor persons, urban poor and fishermen. 
Social organizations  
So far there are 18 POs along the river grouped under ULAP (Uganayang Lakas ng mga Apektadong Pamilya sa baybaying ilog Pasig), and 182 POs of fishermen grouped in the towns around the lake. They are grouped under Mapagpala. They hope to have a decisive role in what is finally done on the lake.  
NGOs  
Three main NGOs are involved: 
Urban Poor Associates 
CO Multiversity 
Community Organization of the Philippines Enterprise  
They help the people organize, analyse the solutions proposed and work for good solutions. They train leaders to negotiate with government officials, to know the needs of their people, to listen to the people in democratic meetings, to be courageous but not reckless, and to have many other qualities of good leaders. 
Government  
National and local governments are coordinated in the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission. Almost all national agencies and representatives of all the affected cities and towns are involved. It is expected they will lend their total resources to this work. 
Financial 
The Asian Development Bank. People hope the Bank will use the power its money gives to support people's participation and other pro-poor norms. 
Church and Other Religions 
About 82% of the beneficiaries are Catholic. The rest are Protestants and Muslims. Its is hoped they will all support the people's efforts. 
Universities 
The Ateneo de Manila Institute of Philippine Culture has made studies on the river and its faculty have worked with POs. They can help the people analyse their problems and the proposed solutions. 
Private Initiative 
There has not been much private initiative in the urban renewal aspects of the program. Lately, however, a lay Catholic group, Gawad Kalinga, has began building houses in one Pasig River community. 
International Cooperation 
The Asian Coalition for Housing Rights is organizing a study program throughout Asia to analyse the various government efforts to upgrade rivers and canals. There are such efforts in Calcutta, Surabaya, Ho Chi Min City, Karachi and other cities. This study will allow the different partners to share ideas. 
Political Parties 
No real role. The bigger political parties are only active at election time. The ideological groups are not present on the river in any force. 
4. Program or project components (brief description of how they link) 
Before responding to this section it may be useful to return to an event mentioned above, namely the eviction of people in Barangay, Pineda in September 2000 which was a turning point in the POs' involvement along the Pasig River. We can call it simply the Pineda Story. It gives some concreteness to all that was said above. 
 
After these events there were no more forced evictions on the Pasig. The government threatened throughout 2003 to evict a further 11,000 families from the river and major tributaries, but it didn't happen. ADB which is to fund such relocation is not yet satisfied with the condition of people evicted up to 2000. The MMDA has threatened to evict 10,000 families from the smaller tributaries but other government agencies say flatly it will not be done. 
 
The people of Pineda who remained were visited by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who proclaimed the land in their favor. They subsequently negotiated with the landowner to buy the land at a subsidized rate. NGOs, such as, the Foundation for the Development of the Urban Poor (FDUP) and the Technical Assistance Organization (TAO-Pilipinas, a body of young architects) helped the people plan financing schemes, better roads, walkways and drainage. The people now have land tenure security, better access to their homes, and the will to improve their community even more. 
 
In general every community along the river as in Pineda seeks land tenure security and upgrading. Almost every community has made a "people's plan" of how they would like this to happen.  
 
The Punta community refused to move from the 10-meter easement unless government relocated them to an obsolete factory site nearby. After many mass actions and meetings the national government agreed to give Manila City the money needed to start expropriation proceedings against the factory land owners. 
 
In Baseco at the mouth of the river, after many difficulties with the local government ADB is finally starting its upgrading work. Its first project will be for 1,000 families who will be moved from the 10-meter easement a little inland. ADB works closely here with the people's organization Kabalikat. 
 
Initial planning of the PO NASAPA in Parola for on-site upgrading which had the blessing of ADB and the national government has run into difficulties with the local government and is on hold until after the election on May 10 this year. Similar work proceeds in several other areas. 
Local Officials 
 
A major problem has been the local authorities. They are supportive of the rehabilitation if it involves water quality or the removal of urban poor people, but they are much less supportive when it comes to discussing land tenure security and upgrading/housing. No mayor has supported these two initiatives. POs with the help of ADB, churches, national government and the media have, however, been partially successful. The mayor of Pasig, for example, which includes Pineda, insisted he must build tenements for the people. The people didn't want this and had to quarrel with the mayor for two years before he gave in. The mayor of Manila doesn't wanted any people's participation. He doesn't want ADB or other outside groups either, but he can't help but deal with them because he lacks money. He has called NGOs "Satanas". 
 
ADB and the national government or the president must find ways to "influence" the mayors to cooperate in slum upgrading. Their resistance is a main bottleneck. The POs can veto government initiatives, for example evictions, but they can't provide upgrading or titles. 
 
The POs have repeatedly appealed to the president to bring the mayors to a more rational position. She hasn't done so for political reasons. She needs the mayors at election time. The ADB itself has been leery of talking forcefully with certain mayors. 
 
Local officials are the major problems for poor people in similar projects throughout Asia. 
Easement Issue 
 
For four years the POs and NGOs have fought for a three-meter rather than a 10-meter easement. The narrower easement would mean all the families could stay on site since there is usually an existing easement that could be widened a little without ejecting families. There have been marches, court cases, and appeals to the national government. The validity of the 10-meter easement has been questioned. The social justice of the 10-meter easement is also questioned since only poor people will be removed; factories, warehouses and homes of the rich will not be touched because the owners would have to be compensated and the government lacks such funds. A cabinet official has promised however that "No poor families will be moved till we are ready to move against the rich also." This issue has been a rallying point for communities along the river. 
In the work with the fishermen of Laguna Lake the picture is mixed. They have formed a coalition of all existing village and town fishermen groups which argues for their views, but they haven't been able to stop construction of a dike that would hold water in the lake and not allow it to flow down river to Manila Bay. The fishermen say the dike will also stop the flow of tidal salt water into the lake which is needed for nourishing the fish and for cleaning the lake water. They are calling for a new environmental study since the dike is being built without a good look at the total environment. The long range view for the river may also not be good for the fishermen. It is said the lake will become the source of Manila's drinking water. If so, all fishing will be discouraged. There may be alternatives, however. 
 
It can be said the POs have succeeded in stopping all forced evictions, in formulating people's plans, in calling the attention of government to their views, and to initiating several concrete examples involving land tenure security and upgrading. 
Habitat Elements 
 
In the proposed upgrading of the communities, land, housing, etc. are all concerns. 
Social and Cultural 
 
The POs are near autonomous, that is, they still expect some NGO help, but such dependence is lessening. We need to do much more to involve the churches, universities and business world. Women constitute the bulk of the leadership. 
Economic and Ecological Sustainability  
 
Not much has been done to strengthen the POs economically. So far there has been only basic infrastructure built, such as, drainage systems, though in Baseco a Catholic lay group is building houses for the people using donated funds and the people's labor. So far 100 homes have been built. The group says they will build 2,000. We are trying to work with them to secure people's participation in the selection of beneficiaries and other crucial matters. The houses are row houses of 20 square meters on 28-meter lots. They cost a little less than $1,000. 
 
All the things listed in the outline will be part of the upgraded, housed communities. They are all envisioned, but the immediate push is for land and basic services through upgrading. 
Contributions to Urban Development 
 
There are many. ADB is planning a 15-year slum upgrading program for Metro Manila running to $200 million. The successes in the Pasig work can be incorporated in the new plan. Hopefully the failures can be avoided. 
5. Primary Tools Used 
The primary tool used is community organization which builds mass-based people's democratic and non-violent organizations that are able to win a seat for the people at the bargaining table. The method borrows much from the late Saul Alinsky's work in the United States, from the work of Paolo Freire, and from traditional Asian organizing methods. It prepares people and leaders for the long difficult struggle for a better life. It has a vision of a better world for all. "A better world is possible," the people believe. 
 
Money for the NGOs is mainly from the churches. These is shared with the POs for expenses of transportation, communication, office rent, etc. The people raise their own funds through various savings schemes. The POs have not yet signed any legal agreement except in Pineda. 
6. Main Lessons Learned 
Summarizing the work of 10 years on the river the following can be said: 
 
Distant relocation is never a good solution. It has never worked well.  
We have to work long and hard to be successful. Nothing good is freely given.  
While we work for land and housing we should also take care of food, health and the education of the children. These can be forgotten though they are the great problems of the very poor. They are often forgotten because leaders tend to be better off than ordinary members.  
There is no one way to organize. We must suit the organizing style and temperature to the concrete situation and community.  
The mayors are powerful figures in Philippine law and it is difficult to oppose them.  
There are good government officials who will help.  
The solutions proposed by poor people here are more and more the solutions we find in the literature proposed in other countries and by the UN and multi-lateral bodies. The older traditional solutions are now discredited, though our political leaders hold on to them, such as high rise tenements as a major solution to slums. 
7. Keywords 
People's organizations, evictions, upgrading. 
8. Sources 
Materials sent by regular mail. 
9. Contacts 
Urban Poor Associates 
25A Mabuhay Street, Brgy Central 
Diliman, Quezon City 1100 
Philippines 
Tels. (632) 426-4119 - 426-7615 
Telefax. (632) 426-4118 
Email.  
Web: www.locoa.net/upa 

THE PINEDA STORY, a case study 
 
Pineda is an urban poor community on the Pasig River in Pasig City. On September 6, 2000, Pineda leaders approached the Uganayang Lakas ng mga Apektadong Pamilya sa baybaying Ilog Pasig (ULAP) for help with an impending demolition of 270 homes in Barangay, Pineda. During the following 35 days, the people of Pineda with the help of CO Multiversity, Urban Poor Associates, and friends in government, the Asian Development Bank and abroad, put together a campaign that mirrors some of the most important CO achievements of the past and deserves study.  
 
The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) was established in 1998 to implement a 15-year development plan to "improve environmental management of the Pasig River basin within Metro Manila, particularly for wastewater management and to promote urban renewal." All cities and municipalities along the river and eleven governmental departments are involved. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a contract in August 2000 to fund part of the project. 
 
The plan's first step was to clear a 10-meter easement along the river, referred to by the government as environmental preservation areas (EPAs). The wide easement is a bone of contention because it was never justified and causes the removal of as many as 10,000 families. As of October 2000 about 2,500 families had been removed.  
 
The easement would affect 270 homes in Pineda. Their strategy was two-fold: to ask the government to delay or cancel demolitions beyond a three meter easement line, and to convince the ADB that resettlement sites didn't meet ADB guidelines and the bank should persuade the government to halt demolitions until sites were ready. On September 21 Pineda leaders with CO Multiversity-Urban Poor Associates organizers met with Manila authorities, the PRRC, other government officials, and the official planner. 170 Pineda residents gathered outside the meeting to demonstrate they were organized. 
 
Demolition was set to proceed and the people resolved to resist. They again met with ADB to demand a halt to the evictions because relocation sites failed to meet ADB standards. But the government rejected deferment and demolitions began on 26 September. When the demolition crew arrived, the people had formed a symbolic line of resistance. The police pushed them aside and began demolition. Some 20 meters away a fight broke out between the demolition crew and a group that included relatives of barangay officials, and a demolition crew member was stabbed to death. Barangay officials opposed the people's plan and had nothing to do with the people's activities. The government claimed the violence and killing were premeditated by the people and the NGOs supporting them. 
 
The death turned the demolition into a featured news story. Along with the killing they discussed issues behind the demolition, including the people's alternate plan and ADB involvement. Reporters called ADB for comments. It was the first time ADB was involved in such a fracas, and ADB officials said such violence couldn't be part of an ADB resettlement program. Weaknesses in the relocation process were revealed and the continued evictions began to take serious tolls, with children missing school, men missing work, and several illnesses and one death reportedly related to the stressful situation. Pineda was visited by a Senate staff member and the issue was discussed at a Senate hearing. LOCOA, an Asian CO network, organized a campaign of e-mails to ADB demanding its resettlement guidelines be upheld. ADB finally re-evaluated the resettlement areas and found them inadequate, recommending all demolitions along the river be stopped. On October 12, PRRC announced it had no plans for further demolitions. 
 
Though the stop to demolitions did not save the houses in Pineda, it may benefit thousands of other families along the river, in relocation centers, and even in other urban poor areas. And while 270 houses were lost and several families were not relocated, the remaining families are working on plans to stay. They are proud they acted to save their homes and achieved something significant. 
 
 
Also in  
Habitat & Sustainable Environment / Development projects and megaprojects.  
Housing & Land Rights / Forced Evictions.  
People's process / Globalization and Privatization of Habitat.  
Target population / Slum dwellers / squatters.  
 
 
 
Nat John G Duenas 
 

THE PINEDA STORY, a case study 
 
Pineda is an urban poor community on the Pasig River in Pasig City. On September 6, 2000, Pineda leaders approached the Uganayang Lakas ng mga Apektadong Pamilya sa baybaying Ilog Pasig (ULAP) for help with an impending demolition of 270 homes in Barangay, Pineda. During the following 35 days, the people of Pineda with the help of CO Multiversity, Urban Poor Associates, and friends in government, the Asian Development Bank and abroad, put together a campaign that mirrors some of the most important CO achievements of the past and deserves study.  
 
The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) was established in 1998 to implement a 15-year development plan to "improve environmental management of the Pasig River basin within Metro Manila, particularly for wastewater management and to promote urban renewal." All cities and municipalities along the river and eleven governmental departments are involved. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a contract in August 2000 to fund part of the project. 
 
The plan's first step was to clear a 10-meter easement along the river, referred to by the government as environmental preservation areas (EPAs). The wide easement is a bone of contention because it was never justified and causes the removal of as many as 10,000 families. As of October 2000 about 2,500 families had been removed.  
 
The easement would affect 270 homes in Pineda. Their strategy was two-fold: to ask the government to delay or cancel demolitions beyond a three meter easement line, and to convince the ADB that resettlement sites didn't meet ADB guidelines and the bank should persuade the government to halt demolitions until sites were ready. On September 21 Pineda leaders with CO Multiversity-Urban Poor Associates organizers met with Manila authorities, the PRRC, other government officials, and the official planner. 170 Pineda residents gathered outside the meeting to demonstrate they were organized. 
 
Demolition was set to proceed and the people resolved to resist. They again met with ADB to demand a halt to the evictions because relocation sites failed to meet ADB standards. But the government rejected deferment and demolitions began on 26 September. When the demolition crew arrived, the people had formed a symbolic line of resistance. The police pushed them aside and began demolition. Some 20 meters away a fight broke out between the demolition crew and a group that included relatives of barangay officials, and a demolition crew member was stabbed to death. Barangay officials opposed the people's plan and had nothing to do with the people's activities. The government claimed the violence and killing were premeditated by the people and the NGOs supporting them. 
 
The death turned the demolition into a featured news story. Along with the killing they discussed issues behind the demolition, including the people's alternate plan and ADB involvement. Reporters called ADB for comments. It was the first time ADB was involved in such a fracas, and ADB officials said such violence couldn't be part of an ADB resettlement program. Weaknesses in the relocation process were revealed and the continued evictions began to take serious tolls, with children missing school, men missing work, and several illnesses and one death reportedly related to the stressful situation. Pineda was visited by a Senate staff member and the issue was discussed at a Senate hearing. LOCOA, an Asian CO network, organized a campaign of e-mails to ADB demanding its resettlement guidelines be upheld. ADB finally re-evaluated the resettlement areas and found them inadequate, recommending all demolitions along the river be stopped. On October 12, PRRC announced it had no plans for further demolitions. 
 
Though the stop to demolitions did not save the houses in Pineda, it may benefit thousands of other families along the river, in relocation centers, and even in other urban poor areas. And while 270 houses were lost and several families were not relocated, the remaining families are working on plans to stay. They are proud they acted to save their homes and achieved something significant. 
 
 
Also in  
Habitat & Sustainable Environment / Development projects and megaprojects.  
Housing & Land Rights / Forced Evictions.  
People's process / Globalization and Privatization of Habitat.  
Target population / Slum dwellers / squatters.  
 
 
 
Nat John G Duenas 
 

Clean-up for Manila's Pasig River 
 
Manila's highly polluted Pasig River will be cleaned up with the help of a financial assistance package totaling US$176 million, approved today by the Asian Development Bank. The program aims to bring marine life back to the river and make it suitable for activities such as boating by 2014. 
 
The Pasig River Environmental Management and Rehabilitation Sector Development Program (SDP) will support the Government's first five-year phase (2000-2004) of its US$750 million Pasig River Development Plan. 
 
The Pasig River is a waterway of historical, social, cultural and commercial significance, but has been seriously polluted by indiscriminate discharge of untreated municipal and industrial wastewater and solid waste. 
 
To restore the environment and realize the river's socioeconomic development potential, it is necessary to rehabilitate the river system, restore water quality, control wastewater discharges and promote urban renewal along the riverbanks. 
 
The SDP is an integrated package of policy reforms and investments. It consists of a US$100 million loan to support the policy reforms to strengthen the environmental management of the Pasig River system; a US$75 million loan to finance the foreign exchange and part of the local currency costs of the investment components of the Pasig River Development Plan; and a US$1 million technical assistance grant for institutional capacity-building for agencies with environmental management responsibilities. 
 
The investment components include measures to relocate squatters; establish and develop 10-meter wide environmental preservation areas (EPAs) along the riverbanks; upgrade infrastructure and provide municipal services and facilities in urban renewal areas adjacent to EPAs; introduce a septic tank maintenance service and provide a septage treatment facility to reduce the volume of untreated municipal wastewater being discharged into the river; and eliminate illegal dumping of municipal solid waste into the river system. 
 
Both loans will come from the ADB's ordinary capital resources. The US$100 million policy loan will have a maturity of 15 years, including a grace period of three years, with interest determined according to ADB's pool-based variable lending rate system for US dollar loans. The Department of Finance and the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission are the executing agencies. 
 
The US$75 million investment loan will have a maturity of 25 years, including a grace period of five years. The US$1 million technical assistance will be a grant from the Asian Currency Crisis Support Facility funded by the Government of Japan. 
 
Contacts 
Project Information: Pasig Environmental Management and Rehabilitation Sector Development Program 
Press Inquiries Only 
Contact: Rita Festin 
Tel: + 632 632 1006 
E-mail:  
6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong 
PO Box 789 
0980 Metro Manila, Philippines 
Tel: + 632 632 4444 
Fax: +632 636 2444 
Telex: 63587 ADB PN/29066 ADB PH  
 
 
Nat John G Duenas 
Redwood City, California

Pasig River From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search 
Pasig River 
Origin 
Laguna de Bay 
Mouth 
Manila Bay 
Basin countries 
Philippines 
Length 
25 km (15.5 mi) 
Basin area 
570 km² (220.1 sq mi)[1] 
The Pasig River is a river in the Philippines and connects Laguna de Bay (via the Napindan Channel) into Manila Bay. The river is called Ilog Pasig in Filipino. It stretches for 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) and divides Metro Manila into two. Its major tributaries are the Marikina River and San Juan River. 
The Pasig River is technically a tidal estuary in that the flow direction depends upon the water level difference between Manila Bay and Laguna de Bay. During the dry season, the water level in Laguna de Bay is low and the flow direction of the Pasig River depends on the tides. During the wet season, when the water level of Laguna de Bay is high, flow is normally from Laguna de Bay towards Manila Bay. 
The Pasig River used to be an important transport route in Spanish Manila. However, due to negligence and industrial development, the river has become very polluted and is considered dead (unable to sustain life) by ecologists. 
The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) was estalished to oversee rehabilitation efforts for the river. Supporting the PRRC are private sector organizations i.e. Clean and Green Foundation, Inc. who implemented the Piso para sa Pasig (Filipino: A peso for the Pasig) campaign. 
Contents [hide] 
 
1 Geography  
1.1 Tributaries and canals  
1.2 Bridges  
1.3 Landmarks  
 
2 Geology  
2.1 Tidal flows  
2.2 Flooding  
 
3 History  
3.1 Pollution increase  
3.2 Rehabilitation efforts  
 
4 References  
5 See also  
6 External links  
// [edit] Geography  
 
Map of the Pasig River. 
Pasig River winds generally north-westward for some 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) from the Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the Philippines, to Manila Bay, in the southern part of the island of Luzon. From the lake, the river runs between Taguig City, and Taytay, Rizal, before entering Pasig City. This portion of Pasig River is known as the Napindan River. From its confluence with its Marikina River tributary, the river then forms the common border between Makati City to the south and Pasig City, then Mandaluyong City to the north. The river then sharply turns northeast forming the border between Mandaluyong and Manila before turning again westward, joining its other major tributary San Juan River, and then following a sinuous path through the center of Manila before emptying into the bay. The whole river and most portions of its tributaries lie entirely within Metro Manila, the metropolitan region of the capital. Isla de Convalescencia, the only island on the Pasig River, 
can be found in Manila and it is where the Hospicio de San Jose is located. 
[edit] Tributaries and canals One major river that drains Laguna de Bay is the Taguig River, which enters into Taguig before becoming the Pateros River and forming the common border between the municipality of Pateros and Makati City. Pateros River then enters the same confluence where the Napindan River and Marikina River meet. The Marikina River is the larger of the two major tributaries of Pasig River and it flows southwards from the mountains of Rizal and cuts through the Marikina Valley. The San Juan River drains the plateau on which Quezon City stands; its major tributary is the Diliman Creek. 
Within the city of Manila, there are various esteros or canals that criss-cross through the city and connect with Tullahan River in the north and Parañaque River to the south. 
[edit] Bridges There are a total of 13 bridges that cross the river. Crossing the Napindan Channel in Pasig City is the Bambang Bridge. Downstream is the C-5 Road Bridge connecting the cities of Makati and Pasig. The Guadalupe Bridge between Makati and Mandaluyong carries Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, the major highway of Metro Manila, as well as the Blue Line (Line 3) of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT). The Makati-Mandaluyong Boundary Bridge is another bridge that connects the two cities downstream and forms the end of Makati Avenue. 
The easternmost bridge in Manila is the Lambingan Bridge in the district of Sta. Ana, followed by the Padre Zamora (Pandacan) Bridge between Pandacan and Santa Mesa, which also carries the southern line of the Philippine National Railways (PNR). The Mabini Bridge (formerly Nagtahan Bridge) provides a crossing for the Nagtahan Avenue, part of the C-2 Road. Ayala Bridge carries Ayala Boulevard and connects Isla de Convalescencia to both banks. Further downstream are the Quezon Bridge, the LRT Yellow Line (Line 1) bridge, McArthur Bridge, and the Jones Bridge. The last bridge near the mouth of Pasig River is the Roxas Bridge, formerly known as the Del Pan Bridge. 
[edit] Landmarks Pasig River's location and the subsequent growth of Manila and the surrounding settlements has made the river a focal point for development and historical events. The foremost landmark on the banks of the river is the walled district of Intramuros, located near the mouth of the river on its southern bank and was built by the Spanish colonial government in the 16th century. Further upstream is the Hospicio de San Jose, an orphanage located on Pasig's sole island. On the northern bank stands Malacañang Palace, the official residence of the President of the Philippines. Also on Pasig River's northern bank and within the Manila district of Sta. Mesa is the main campus of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. 
In Makati City, along the southern bank of Pasig, is the Sta. Ana Racetrack and the Rockwell Commercial Center, a high-end office and commercial area containing the Power Plant Mall. At the confluence of Pasig River and Marikina River is the Napindan Hydraulic Control Structure, which regulates the flow of water from the Napindan Channel. 
[edit] Geology The Pasig River's main watershed is concentrated in the plains between Manila Bay and Laguna de Bay. The watershed of the Marikina River tributary mostly occupies the Marikina Valley, which was formed by the Marikina Fault Line. The Manggahan Floodway is an artificially constructed waterway that aims to reduce the flooding in the Marikina Valley during the rainy season, by bringing excess water to the Laguna de Bay. 
[edit] Tidal flows Pasig River is technically considered as a tidal estuary. Towards the end of the summer or dry season (April and May), the water level in Laguna de Bay reaches to a minimum of 10.5 meters. During times of high tide, the water level in the lake may drop below that of Manila Bay's resulting into a reverse flow of seawater from the bay into the lake. This also results into increased pollution and salinity levels in Laguna de Bay at this time of the year.[2] 
[edit] Flooding The Pasig River is vulnerable to flooding in times of very heavy rainfall and the Marikina River tributary is the main source of the floodwater. The Manggahan Floodway was constructed to divert excess floodwater from the Marikina River into the Laguna de Bay, which then serves as a temporary reservoir. By design, the Manggahan Floodway is capable of handling 2,400 cubic meters per second of water flow, although the actual flow is about 2,000 cubic meters per second. To complement the floodway, the Napindan Hydraulic Control System (NHCS) was built in 1983 at the confluence of the Marikina River and the Napindan Channel to regulate the flow of water between Pasig River and the lake.[3] 
[edit] History  
 
The Pasig River in 1899 
Before the mass urbanization of the metropolitan area of Manila, the Pasig River served as an important means of transport and functioned as the city's lifeline and center of economic activity. The early Muslim settlements were established along the banks of this river and when the Spanish established Manila as the capital of their colonial properties in the Far East, they built the walled city of Intramuros on the southern bank of Pasig River near the mouth. 
[edit] Pollution increase After World War II, massive population growth, infrastructure construction, and the dispersal of economic activities to Manila's suburbs left the river abandoned. The banks of the river attracted informal settlers and remaining factories dumped their wastes into the river, making it effectively as a huge sewer system.[1] 
The increasing pollution in the river was first noticed in the 1930s when it was observed that fish migration from Laguna de Bay diminished. People ceased using the river's water for laundry in the 1960s and ferry transport declined. By the 1970s, the river started to give offensive smells and in the 1980s, fishing in the river became nonviable. Pasig River was considered biologically dead in the 1990s.[1] 
[edit] Rehabilitation efforts Efforts to revive the river began in December 1989 with the help of Danish authorities. The Pasig River Rehabilitation Program (PRRP) was established, with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as the main agency with the coordination of the Danish International Development Assistance (DANIDA).[4] 
In 1999, President Joseph Estrada signed Executive Order No. 54 establishing the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) to replace the old PRRP with additional expanded powers such as managing of wastes and resettling of squatters.[4] 
[edit] References 1. ^ a b c http://www.hic-net.org/document.asp?PID=197  
2. ^ (Laguna de Bay) Lake Elevation - Laguna Lake Development Authority  
3. ^ Laguna de Bay Masterplan - Laguna Lake Development Authority  
4. ^ a b "A dying river comes back to life" - Santelices, Menchit. Philippine Information Agency.  
[edit] See also  
1968 Casiguran earthquake  
Laguna de Bay  
Manila Bay  
Marikina River  
Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission  
San Juan River  
[edit] External links  
Philippine Information Agency article on Pasig River  
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasig_River" 
 
 
 
Nat John G Duenas