Reviving the lost spirit of Pasig River

The Pasig River, a historic heart of Manila, has witnessed the city’s rise and fall. It was once a vital waterway for trade and transportation, deeply tied to Filipino livelihood and folklore. 

In myths, the river was home to diwatas—guardians of nature who protected its waters and kept life in balance. However, years of neglect, pollution, and rapid urban development have ruined the river and its cultural representations. Despite efforts to clean it, the river still faces many problems, showing how crucial it is for everyone to come together and take action to save it.

Plans to save the Pasig River have been big but often uneven. The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC), set up in 1999, led projects to clean the river and its tributaries. This project’s achievements include building parks along the river, which turned parts of the bank into green spaces for people. These parks show greener possibilities if caring for the river is a top concern.

The Pasig River Ferry Service reintroduced in 2007, also showed potential by providing an alternative mode of transport. For a time, the ferry service highlighted the river’s value as an environmental resource and a contributor to urban mobility. Unfortunately, the worsening pollution and low ridership have held back its long-term success.

Despite ongoing efforts, challenges persist. The 26-kilometer waterway that goes through the heart of the country’s metropolis and connects Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay is still polluted with industrial discharge, untreated sewage, and improper waste disposal. These problems are compounded by informal settler communities that have taken residence along its banks. Efforts to relocate them have been resisted because nowhere else is suitable for people to go.

Campaigns like “Piso Para sa Pasig” effectively raised public awareness in the 1990s but did not bring lasting change. The problems stem from a lack of strict enforcement of environmental laws and inadequate waste management infrastructure, which have stalled progress.

Just recently, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Pasig River Coordinating and Management Office (DENR-PRCMO) removed over 1,600 tons of waste from the Pasig River and its tributaries between January and mid-May 2024 as part of the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program, with the help of 163 "River Warriors" and trash boats. While these initiatives show progress, it’s clear that improving the situation of the Pasig River goes beyond just organizing occasional cleanup drives—it needs a fundamental overhaul.

For real progress to happen, the government must improve waste management systems, ensure that industries are responsible for pollution, and finance sustainable infrastructure while involving the community.

Reviving the Pasig River isn’t just an environmental challenge; it’s also a cultural and moral obligation. The mythical diwatas that once watched over the river remind us of when Filipinos embraced their role as guardians of nature. That spirit must be rekindled.

The Pasig River is not beyond saving. Its story is one of resilience and transformation—an echo of the myths surrounding it. Restoring the river is not just about fixing an environmental problem; it is about honoring a legacy and ensuring that future generations inherit a thriving cultural identity.

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