Skip Traffic with the Pasig River Ferry!

The Pasig River, also known as Ilog Pasig in Filipino, is popular in the Philippines. It connects Manila Bay with Laguna de Bay. Manila Bay is one of the best natural harbors in Southeast Asia and one of the finest in the world. Laguna de Bay is the largest lake in the Philippines.

The Pasig River is approximately 25 kilometers long. It is a key waterway and transportation corridor. Consequently, it is an essential ecosystem and an irreplaceable natural resource. , Since the early 1500s, businesses have utilized the Pasig River and its tributaries for daily necessities.

People say that the Pasig River is dead because a lot of trash is dumped into it every day. Every day, about 330 tons of trash from businesses and homes are dumped into this canal. This reduces the biochemical oxygen that marine life needs to stay alive.

A lot of work has been done recently to protect the Pasig River, but not much has changed. Most of them failed because homes and businesses were too close to the banks, which caused a lot of problems.

Pasig River Ferry Services in the last few months

More people have been using the Pasig River Ferry Service. In September 2022, the most people who rode the bus was 16,226. This was a lot less than rail or bus lines, but a big jump from the 2,806 people who rode the bus in the same month the year before.

Between January and September of this year, 113,609 people used the service. The year before? During the same time period, 30,310 people were registered as passengers.

The progress is very good news. What do you think it would take for the Pasig River Ferry Service to be at least as good as some of its competitors on land? Respond.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) plans to finish the feasibility study quickly so that the Pasig River ferry system can be improved and used as much as possible as an alternative way to get around.

Secretary of Transportation Jaime Bautista said on Wednesday that the Department of Transportation would put the repair of the ferry system at the top of its list of priorities.

“One of our top priorities is the Pasig River ferry system, which utilizes the Pasig River as an alternate conduit.” The ferry service is trustworthy and safe… “I travelled across seven Metro Manila cities,” stated Bautista.

How about PAREX?

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is conducting a feasibility study about the ferry upgrade. According to Bautista, the assessment would assess the infrastructure’s resilience, particularly in light of the impending development of the Pasig River Expressway (PAREX).

This requires NEDA permission. Therefore we are currently analyzing it. We can state that the project is presently in the pre-investment stage,” he continued.

Reasons Why You Should Have A Cat at Home

According to Bautista, the feasibility study should determine how the Pasig River ferry system will endure the civil works and eventual operations of Ramon Ang’s San Miguel Corporation’s PAREX, estimated to cost P95 billion (SMC).

The government accepted SMC’s plan to build a 19.37-kilometer expressway on top of the Pasig River, from Radial Road 10 in Manila City to C-6 Road in Taguig, the previous year. Following this, SMC commenced a P2-billion restoration project on the Pasig River to support the development of ferry boat usage.

To transform the Pasig River ferry system into a viable transportation option, the government may seek the maritime maintenance experience of Norway.

“We may model our ferry system after Norway’s, which is good and efficient. “We will continue collaborating and communicating with the Norwegians,” added Bautista.

From Manila to Marikina City, the Pasig River ferry system transports more than 400 passengers daily.