Pacquiao opposes construction of PAREX; wants Pasig River system turned into a tourist spot (Sabong News)
Author
Joseph Pedrajas
Date
APRIL 01 2022
Presidential aspirant Senator Manny Paccquiao has opposed the construction of the upcoming Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) and called for the conversion of the river system into a tourist spot instead.
Pacquiao said that instead of building a skyway, the country must turn Pasig River into a tourist destination, similar to Australia’s Brisbane River.
He also said that if he wins in the upcoming elections the river will be rehabilitated and dredged to remove the heavy silt that has visibly made it into a murky sewage.
“May plano ako dyan sa Pasig River. Napakaganda niyan na idevelop. I dredge lang yan, linisin yung tubig saka idevelop yung gilid, yung easement niya. Siguro talagang parang magiging lugar yan sa Brisbane na ang ganda ng ilog, maraming namamsyal…di kailangang takpan (I have plans for Pasig River. It’s good to develop. We just dredge it, clear the water and develop the surrounding areas, its easement. I will surely become beautiful, like Brisbane where many people go. We don’t have to cover it),” Pacquiao told reporters following his courtesy call with Iloilo Mayor Jerry Treñas on Thursday.
Pacquiao’s came after he inspected Pasig River’s entire stretch, reaching Laguna, before the pandemic. From there, he noted that it is worthy to invest in its clean-up and rehabilitation because it has a potential to become a major attraction for tourists.
Instead of a skyway along the river, Pacquiao said the government should put up a modern end-to-end river ferry which can be integrated into a multi-modal transport system for Metro Manila.
“Pag-aralan natin nang husto kung ano ang maganda pero nakikita ko na yun ang mas maganda kesa maglagay ka dun sa gitna ng mga poste. Eh lalong (babaha). Saan dadaan yung tubig? (Let’s study what will be the best. But what I plan is better than installing posts on it. It will lead to more flooding, where will the water go?)” Pacquiao pointed out.
Facing criticism from various groups, including environmentalists, PAREX will be a 19.37-kilometer skyway project to be built along the waters of Pasig River.
