Duterte okays Pasig ferry program

April 5, 2018

President Rodrigo Duterte has approved a program that aims to fully improve the situation of  the Pasig River and use it to address the traffic congestion in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte gave his nod on the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)-led Pasig River Ferry Convergence Program, which would lead to the reopening of the Pasig River ferry system.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno presented during the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday night the proposal to create a technical working group for the convergence program.

Diokno said at least 10 agencies would be involved in the technical working group.

In preparation for the project, Diokno, along with other government officials, conducted on Wednesday an inspection of the Pasig River ferry.

The activity was in preparation for the establishment of an improved Pasig River ferry service wherein 17 new stations will be constructed. There are 12 ferry stations traversing the cities of Manila, Mandaluyong, Makati, Taguig, Pasig and Marikina.

For this year, the DBM is targeting the construction of the three new stations, with the rest to be completed within the Duterte administration.

Some 24 boats are expected to service 76,000 commuters per day or 19,836,000 per year once the ferry system is fully operational.

"The ferry system is envisioned to be an accessible, comfortable, and reliable water transport service that will offer the public mobility and connectivity through a pleasant commuting experience on the historic Pasig River. Aside from public transport, the ferry service will also be used for disaster response and tourism purposes," Diokno said. Celerina Monte/DMS