Revitalization of the Pasig River Through the Years: Bringing a Dying Ecosystem Back to Life

Revitalization of Pasig River Through the Years:Bringing a Dying Ecosystem Back To Life

Marie Stephanie N. Gilles Master of Architecture Student/ Teaching AssociateUP College of [email protected]/ [email protected]

Romeo B. Santos (Adviser)ProfessorCollege of ArchitectureUniversity of the [email protected]

AbstractThe Pasig River is a major channel traversing important cities of Metro Manila, serving as a vital transport access for industrial goods. It has also been extolled as reflective of our national heritage. The river is now biologically dead, a depository of residential and industrial wastes of the metropolis, thereby posing health hazard to families living along its banks.

This paper starts with the historical timeline showing the state of the river from the early 15th c. and how it has deteriorated today, comparing rehabilitation programs from both public and private sectors with actual development using desk research, observation, mapping-inventory and interviews. Lastly, a case study of large scale rehabilitation project using current technology is described.

Keywords: river revitalization, ecosystem, timeline of deterioration, rehabilitation efforts

IntroductionThroughout the centuries since the Spanish occupation of the Philippines in the early 16th century, this river, one of the Philippines’ major water bodies spanning 27 kilometers (with 4 major and 43 minor tributaries), had always been a vital vehicle of industry and trade, a reflection of our culture and heritage, around which countless poems and testimonies had been written attesting to its pristine elegance and functional legacy.

Figure 2 Pasig River then with pristine waters

Figure 3 Pasig River now in its polluted state

1MUHON: A Journal of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and the Designed Environment Univers i ty o f the Phi l ipp ines Col lege of Arch i tecture

Figure 1 Map of Pasig River Showing Cities and Municipalities that are Traversed by it

mailto:[email protected]/

mailto:[email protected]/

Figure 4 Trade boats near Divisoria marketSource: Ronnie Alejandro Collection

Today, five centuries later, the sad state of this river is a cause of restlessness and heightened environmental concern. This river that once teemed with so much life and activity, is now pronounced biologically dead, having been converted into a garbage basin of residential and industrial wastes, rendering it unfit for marine life and posing as a continuous health hazard for the more than 100,000 families living along its riverbanks.

The rehabilitation of this river has been deemed a top priority concern for which various sectors of our society, especially those directly affected, have aligned forces to ensure its viability. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in close collaboration with the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC), had been spearheading programs and projects side by side the Local Government Units (LGUs) of major cities in Metro Manila to address this growing unrest. Funding programs and initiatives have poured in from non-government sectors as well, coming up with pilot projects such as relocation of informal settlers, bio-remediation, phyto-remediation, dredging and the application of indigenous technology to solve the problems which the revival of this dying ecosystem entails. A proposed system of filtration with several lines of defense for waste collection (to catch solid wastes from the individual manholes to the tributaries before flowing into the river) as well as biochemical treatment starting from the septic tanks to the sewer lines before reaching the river are being studied as to their viability and affordability vs. urgency and necessity.

After the historical perspective from the early 15th c. and the timeline showing how the state of the river has deteriorated today, this research hinges on analysis of current data from the physical, biological and infrastructure viewpoints as well as qualitative interviews from among those spearheading the programs in multi-sectoral levels: government (departments, agencies, LGUs and commissions), non-government (foundations, funding institutions, professionals, technical experts) and advocacy groups such as environmentalists and the common citizens. It seeks to examine the programs laid out in a timeline and to assess the progress and accomplishments to date, examining the factors and causes of so-called successes or failures, thereby proposing solutions to overcome

those objective and subjective conditions which hamper their due progress.

Historical Perspective: Socio-Cultural Significance Of The River And Timeline Of Deterioration

1. Pre-Spanish Era (5th c. to 16th c.): Trade and Commerce

As with any other important river system in the world, the Pasig River has provided people not only with their basic needs, but more importantly, a place where to build their community. Geography illustrates how most of the significant human settlements in the history of civilization were born on the banks of rivers, as is the case with London’s Thames, Egypt’s Nile or Rome’s Tiber. Manila’s Pasig River played a vital role in transport, trade and commerce that connected the hinterlands of Laguna Lake and Manila Bay. As early as the 5th c., this river had been the major source of water and livelihood of various communities that settled along its banks. People washed clothes in the shallower waters and fisher folks’ daily catch were always bountiful. The passenger boats that plied the river from the nearby province of Laguna to Manila and back served as the primary means of transportation.

At the mouth of the river connecting to Manila Bay, where Fort Santiago is now located, as early as the 13th century, were ports where vessels from foreign lands, such as Borneo, China, Java, India, Sumatra, Siam, Annam (Vietnam), Japan and the Middle East, brought trade items like silk, porcelain, glass beads and were bartering them with gold, pearls, betel nuts and honey that our natives would bring (Fox, 1961). Way back in the 5th century, trading communities were engaged in brisk trade along the banks of the Pasig River (Alli, 1994).

2. Spanish Occupat ion (1521 to 1898) : Urbanization And Infrastructure

Along the banks of the Pasig River, the most influential and powerful Tagalog kingdom of Maynila was transformed into a well-fortified Spanish colonial capital, aptly called the Walled City or Intramuros, which became a military stronghold, the seat of government, the womb of the Catholic Faith and the exclusive residential quarter of the Spaniards. It housed the residence of the Spanish Governor-General until it was forced to relocate to San Miguel in the area of Malacanang Palace after the great earthquake of 1645. The coined word Malacanang, adopted from the Tagalog, “May lakan dyan” meaning, “there is a nobleman there”, served as a suitable abode for the highest official of the land (Zafra, 1973). Today, Malacanang Palace still remains as the residence of the highest person at the helm of our country, the President of the Republic.

It was during this time that the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade soared to new heights, lasting from 1565

Revitalization of Pasig River Through the Years: Bringing a Dying Ecosystem Back to LifeStephanie N. Gilles, Romeo B. Santos


to 1815. Two vessels were making the journey annually between the Philippines and Mexico, each trip lasting 200 days (Agoncillo, 1990). From the goods brought to Manila Port at the mouth of the river, they were distributed by means of ferries, bancas, boats and lighters (flat-bottomed barge) through Pasig River, its tributaries and inland waterways which served as an effective network for transport, as well as an artery for the delivery of goods from the interior. A system of paying taxes equivalent to toll fees was imposed which these traders were subjected to prior to entering the river from Manila Bay. Of cultural and historical significance, Pasig became witness to countless festive fluvial parades, both religious and secular in nature.

Our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, through the two novels he wrote in the mid-1800’s, described the river as having clean water and very beautiful, a source of potable water supply by some Chinese haulers or peddlers. Apart from this, Binondo creek, referred to as a bend of this river, served as a multi-purpose water system: a bathing place, drainage and sewage area, laundry area, fishing ground and means of transport and communication. Interestingly enough, as early as the Spanish times (16th to 19th c), pollution by sewage and laundry washing have already started. By 1850, Spanish dwellers noticed the waters losing its pristine quality, thereby prompting them to devise a filtering method of sand and charcoal to maintain its potability.

Parallel to urbanization came the rise of the earliest infrastructure, telecommunications and public utilities (Electricista) in the Manila area. Trans-oceanic shipping lines also increased, with the weekly Manila-Hongkong, the monthly Manila-Barcelona and Manila-Yokohama and other irregular schedules from the US and European countries (cf. Fig. 5).

Figure 5 Inter-island shipping at Pasig RiverCourtesy of Old Manila Book Center

3. American Period (1898 to 1945) To Post-War Era

The American occupation ushered in the early stages of industrialization along the banks of the Pasig River due to the ease in transport of products and the accessibility of the ports of Manila Bay. Communication was hastened with the establishment of the Manila Post Office in 1926, rebuilt in 1946 after it got damaged by

war, patterned after the design by Juan Arellano in Greco-Roman style.

Figure 6 Post-War Destruction: Manila Post OfficeSource: World War II in the Philippines

Figure 7 Quezon Bridge's art deco pylons before the warSource: Ronnie Alejandro Photography Collection

Foremost in their plan of action was to improve the North and South Harbors to further trade and commerce. Very soon ships plying the river became a common sight. Another factor that contributed to the area’s industrialization was the establishment of railways, road networks and bridges, these include the Del Pan Bridge, Jones Bridge, Quezon Bridge, Sta. Cruz Bridge and the asphalting of the city roads.

The downside effect of all this progress, however, was that the river was receiving the waste materials that went along with industrialization, causing its clear waters to darken. The condition of the river further deteriorated with the onset of World War II, that had left its indelible marks on the river: 7 bridges destroyed, artillery tanks and remnants of shattered buildings deposited into its basin. The death of the city spelled the death of the river with all its consequences.

After the war, the city started the rebuilding process marked with intense urbanization and industrialization. Urban area expanded laterally along the river banks, buildings and informal settlers occupied easements and, as a result, the Pasig river ’s carrying capacity diminished. The side effects of progress and devastating effects of war were the culprits which made the Pasig into what it is now: polluted, hazardous, fearsome, sticky with mud, slimy and smelly with its dark waters obscuring its shallow depths.

For three decades the river’s purpose as the major transport route was significantly reduced due to its dirty basin with the emergence of land-based transport systems facilitated by bridges. Furthermore, even industries were moving out of the Pasig River to areas



easily accessible to large trucks and container vans.

Timeline: Factors that Contributed to its Deterioration & Remedies

Figure 8 Pollution Sources in the Pasig River System (monitored from 1990 to 2000)

The Pasig river’s decline was a slow process that began in the 1930s, when fish migration from Laguna Lake decreased, and by the 1950’s, people stopped bathing and washing activities. By the 1960s, the river started to smell and turned black. Water quality dropped and ferryboat transport lessened. In 1970, the river fell below Class C levels of pollution, and in 1975 even below Class C II as it became a victim of urban pollution; its canals served as sewerage for the domestic and industrial wastes from factories and informal dwellers that sprouted on its riverbanks. In 1980, river tourism diminished, and in 1985, all type of fishing was brought to an end (cf. Table 1).

One major factor that contributed to the increase in domestic wastes from 45% in 1990 to 63% in the year

2000 was the migration of households from the provinces to the capital city of Manila, in the hope of securing jobs and varied sources of income as the capital had more job opportunities to offer compared to the provinces. Due to industrialization in the 1980’s to 2000, its waters were converted into a receptacle of industrial wastes which comprise 31 to 45% of the water pollutants. The percentage of solid wastes ranged from 10% in 1990 to 6% in 2000 (cf. Figure 8).

Current Efforts At Rehabilitating The River

1. Foreign Assistance and Local Participation

The Danish International Development Assistance (DANIDA) played an important role and laid the groundwork for the Philippine government with its 100-million Kroner grant, through its Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), to establish the Pasig River Rehabilitation Program (PRRP) in 1989, which sought to improve the river’s health by consolidating all river rehabilitation efforts. Soon, other national government agencies (NGAs), local governments, civic groups, and even the private sector became involved. A most notable initiative was Clean and Green Foundation’s Piso Para sa Pasig (PPP) which was able to raise Php 51 million for its programs. Launched in 1995, the PPP’s massive multi-sectoral campaign for advocacy brought nationwide attention to Pasig’s sorry state for the first time.

On Jan. 6, 1999, a presidential mandate established the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC), tasked with coordinating all rehabilitation efforts, with the goal of restoring Pasig River to Class “C” level—that which can sustain life, with Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)



Table 1 Timeline of the State of Pasig River and Rehabilitation Efforts

less than 7mg/liter — throughout a 15-year program, a target hoped to be achieved by 2014.

With more extensive powers and functions vested on this new implementing body, the PRRC with 13 partner government agencies, began its mission of transforming the Pasig River and its environs into a showcase of a new quality of urban life.

The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) and the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) have been applying stringent regulations and monitoring measures on factories which have wastes flowing out into the river. An example is the Environmental Compliance Certificate which every establishment, connected to Pasig river and Laguna Lake, has to submit to the agencies responsible for monitoring their waste production.

Among the non-government organizations from the foreign arena that have vouched full support to this rehabilitation program, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided a $176 million financial assistance package to resuscitate the river for a 15-year project, the first phase of which was the so-called ADB PAREMAR-SDP (Asian Development Bank Pasig Rehabilitation Environmental Management – Sector Development Program) carried out from 2000 to 2008, given that a projected 5 million people discharge their wastewater to this river without having any septic tank or waste water treatment facilities between them and the river.

The Pasig River Ferry Service was also revived as an alternative mode of transportation to decongest city traffic and as a vehicle towards greater awareness of this advocacy to revitalize the river. Inaugurated in February 2007, the ferry service had a total of 14 fully operational

stations, where ferries pick up passengers at regular intervals. Unfortunately, it stopped operations for lack of funding.

Figure 9 Map showing the Pasig Ferry Stations

Figure 10 & 11. A station & a ferry boat

2. Environmental Protection Areas (EPAs) and Urban Renewal Areas (URAs)

An important move in infrastructure and environmental consciousness was the implementation of the easements along the riverbanks, from 3-meters for its tributaries and 10-meters for the main river, which have been declared Environmental Protection Areas (EPAs) and have been transformed into public linear parks and esplanades. Of the 38 kilometers of both banks of the river, to date, 21.21 kilometers of linear parks have been developed. Land and communities beyond the 3 to 10-



Table 2 Pasig River System Average Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) as of 2009Source: Department of Environment and Natural Resources

http://www.adb.org/Projects/project.asp?id=30308




http://www.adb.org/Media/PhotoGallery/photos2.asp

http://www.adb.org/Media/PhotoGallery/photos2.asp

meter EPAs were also declared Urban Renewal Areas (URAs).

One of the biggest challenges facing the river’s rehabilitation is the conflict-riddled process of relocating slum communities otherwise called Informal Settler Families (ISF) thriving along the riverbanks, which have been a constant source of pollution. In fact, 65% of waste dumped into the river comes from these households. The establishment of EPAs meant relocating thousands of ISFs to adequate resettlement areas and providing them with affordable housing, livelihood opportunities, and other development support.

Figre12&13. EPAs before & after developing into linear parks

Fig.14. Sta Ana resettlementActual photos showing the previous state of informal settlers and development into parks and medium rise housing

To date, 7,488 housing units have been provided for approximately 10,000 families (about 55,000 people) living in deprived conditions within EPAs, relocated in resettlement sites at in-city and near-to-town locations that meet ADB standards for involuntary resettlement. The PRRC ensures that affected households are better off in the resettlement areas than in their precariously built houses by the river banks that are prone to flooding during the rainy season. The PRRC also provides trainings and microcredit for small business enterprises, and other livelihood assistance. From these families, 4,863 individuals are benefitting from the

livelihood programs and 51 families are receiving continuous financial assistance. ADB also financed schools and community centers, health and day care centers at the resettlement locations. Basic municipal services, such as improved water supply and sanitation, essential infrastructure, and security of tenure were also provided. With ADB assistance, 20 vacuum trucks for septic tank–emptying services were procured. A total of 4.91 hectares have been completed, benefitting a further 80,000 families (about 440,000 people). These renewal and resettlement projects are expected to reduce waste input and improve environmental conditions in the Pasig River basin and the entire metropolitan area.

3. Case Study of Large Scale Rehabilitation Efforts using Current Technology

To significantly reduce solid wastes in the river, the dredging program was implemented under the guidance of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), where a total of 1,454,833 m3 of solid wastes have been excavated. Some of these solid waste materials are stored in landfills and others in Underwater Placement Overhead Capping units (UPOCs) with a cumulative accomplishment of 2,030,483 m3.

Figure 15. Location and Size of Underwater Placement with Overdepth Capping (UPOC)

Source: Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission

In addition to this, a total of 4 sites have been put up for Material Recovery Facilities (MRF), for shredding plastic, paper and other recyclable wastes. Other efforts at improving the quality of water are: (a) bio-remediation – pilot project using 23 carefully selected, useful, non-pathogenic and naturally occurring microbial isolates were used to attack, degrade and neutralize the pollutants, (b) installation of garbage traps (currently in 17 out of 43 creeks), (c) provision of aeration and filtration devices (presently in 7 out of 17 creeks, (c) phyto-remediation: use of selected plants, e.g. millionaire’s vine whose roots cleanse the waters, for greening riverbanks and increase dissolve oxygen level; a total of 7,398 linear meters have been covered by these plants at 3 major sites.



http://www.adb.org/Resettlement/default.asp

http://www.adb.org/Resettlement/default.asp

Figure 16 Dredging Equipment

Figure 17 Material Recovery Facility

Figure18 Phytoremediation

PRRC is now undertaking the second phase of the project. In February 2009, the “Kapit Bisig sa Ilog Pasig” (Arm-in-Arm for the Pasig River) program was launched by the DENR, through PRRC and ABS-CBN Foundation. The partnership’s goal is to turn the Pasig into a Clean River Zone in 7 years (up to 2016) by ensuring zero toxic input into the river through solid waste management, household or community septic tanks desludging, and septage treatment. It will also continue the rehabilitation and resettlement work initiated by the PRRC.

Among the private corporations deeply committed to this cause of rehabilitating the river are Unilever (that had been involved since the 1980’s in environmental concerns), PLDT (Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company) and Ayala Foundation that have joined forces towards this goal.

Currently, ADB is reviewing the possibility of supporting the wastewater infrastructure development plans of construction septage treatment plants (STPs) of the two private water supply and sanitation concessionaires servicing the metropolis, i.e., Maynilad and Manila Water, so as to contribute to a further reduction of communal wastewater discharges to the Pasig River.

Conclusion, Challenges and Recommendations

After having illustrated the primary importance that this river holds for the life and welfare of Manila and its neighboring cities which this waterway traverses, it is justifiable that there is an intensive rehabilitation of the Pasig River spanning three decades in the serious implementation of programs and policies. It is by far one of the most comprehensive river rehabilitation programs being undertaken by the Philippines, involving 13 government agencies, 3 big private companies, 3 foreign grantors and numerous local and civic communities. Of these programs, especially the recent ones (15-year plan of the PRRC from 1999 to 2014), an evaluation study of the final completion report dated December 2009 shows that the overall performance is 55% accomplishment vs. the expected 67%, having coursed 10 years or two-thirds of the allotted project period. This is assessed from all fronts: f rom the pol i c ies , programs, in f ras t ruc ture development, public information advocacy through media and general awareness of the people regarding this cause. Despite the multitude of efforts, a lot still remains to be done by all sectors concerned.

Notwithstanding, there has been a proliferation of initiatives and proposals for pilot projects towards sustainable development in wastewater treatment in line with heightened awareness of the need to revitalize this river, some of which are:

a) Decentralized water treatment facilities: several lines of defense from the manholes to the sewer lines to the tributaries before going to the river and introducing bio-chemicals into septic tanks and sewage treatment plants to improve quality of effluent water (started in Malacanang housing facilities: positive outcome),

b) Proposal to provide filtration dams using indigenous materials and technology: bamboo weave and coco shreds as sieve at funnel points,

c) On-going projects implementing zero waste management in homes, offices and industries: 3R’s (reduce, recycle and reuse) – segregating



and recycling solid waste materials and converting them into useful products, e.g waste paper into egg trays, scrap plastics to wash basins or pipes, scrap metals to reinforcement steel; composting of organic material,

d) Encouraging collaboration of NGOs (non-government organizations) and informal settlers along the riverbanks to generate public awareness, e.g. River Day (similar to Earth Day or Earth Hour), wherein at strategic locations within a specified hour, they can throw bio-chemicals to cleanse the river, and

e) Enhancing the design of resettlement housing facilities to espouse the principles of green architecture (initiated by Gawad Kalinga volunteers): natural lighting and ventilation, passive cooling technology, solar heating, plants and open spaces; self-help technology and core housing with flexibility for expansion.

It is with a lot of hope and optimism that these more recent initiatives will be the tipping point of Pasig River’s rehabilitation and turn the tide from its deterioration. With a positive projection and building on the efforts of current multi-sectoral collaboration, the future generations can then enjoy a Class C water quality and resume the activities once witnessed by this River, thereby reinstating it to its seat of importance for our country’s capital region.

Figure 19. View of Pasig River – downtown ManilaPhotography by Sonny Espiritu

Figure 20. Vision of Pasig River in 2020Perspective by Architect Felino Palafox, Jr.

Bibliography

Agoncillo, Teodora A. 1990. History of Filipino People. 8th edition. Garotech Publishing,

Quezon City.

Alejandro, Reynaldo G. & A.A. Yuson, 2000. Pasig: River of Life. Unilever Philippines, Inc. Manila.

Alli, Armando N. 1994. The Social Acceptability of Introducing a Mass Transit System on the Pasig River. (Ph. D. Dissertation). University of the Philippines, Diliman.

Commandante, Armand S. 1979. The Impact of Physical Constraints on Metro Manila’s Urbanization (Ph. D. Dissertation) University of the Philippines, Diliman.

DENR, River Rehabilitation Secretariat (RRS) and DANIDA. 1996. Reviving the Legacy. Pasig River Rehabilitation Program (PRRP) – Third Year Report. June, 1995 – December, 1996.

DENR-PRRP. 1994. Pasig River Squatters Relocation and Resettlement Program.

Gagalac-Regis, Emelina et al. 2001. The Pasig River: Caring for a Dying Ecosystem. A project of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission with funding from DANIDA. Manila.

JICA-MMDA. 1998. The study of solid waste management for Metro Manila in the Republic of the Philippines- Final Report. March 1998.

Lacson-Locsin, Ma. Soledad (Translator) and Raul L. Locsin (Editor) 1997. El Filibusterismo by Jose Rizal. Bookmark, Inc. Philippines.

Miller, Gorge A. Interesting Manila. 1906. E.C. McCullough & Co., Inc.

PRRC, Completion Report, Assessment of Policies & Programs. Dec. 2009. Quezon City

Tamayo-Zafaralla, Macrina, 1981. Ecology of water pollution in Pasig River II. Biological Parameters. Kalikasan, Philipp. J. Biol Vol. 19 (2-3):151-164.

Zafaralla, Macrina T. 1982. Pasig: Ecology of a Dying River. Scientia Filipinas Vol. 2(1): 30-44.

Zafra, Nicolas. 1993. The Colonization of the Philippines and the beginnings of the Spanish City of Manila. National Historic Institute. Manila. pp. 1-63.



Revitalization of the Pasig River Through the Years: Bringing a Dying Ecosystem Back to Life

Documents

Transcript of Revitalization of the Pasig River Through the Years: Bringing a Dying Ecosystem Back to Life