Marcos expands Pasig River esplanade project
President Marcos on Sunday launched Phase 4 of the Pasig River rehabilitation program, promising to turn another stretch of the historic waterway into a walkable, bike-friendly hub for leisure, commerce and sustainable travel.
“Every time we gather here by the Pasig River, we are reminded that progress does not always mean building something new. Sometimes, progress means bringing something beautiful back to life,” Marcos said during the launch at Lawton Pasig River Ferry station in Manila.
The new 530-meter segment stretches from behind the Manila Central Post Office to Arroceros Forest Park.
It features walkways, bike lanes and commercial spaces, connecting seamlessly to earlier completed phases near Intramuros.
Marcos said the project aims to create “a continuous riverside path that will link people, culture and opportunity.”
He also envisioned it as a leisure and lifestyle destination for all—from food lovers to fitness enthusiasts and even “romantics.”
“For the romantic at heart, you can enjoy a sunset stroll, hand in hand with your significant other. And if you’re still single, you might just meet ‘the one’ here,” Marcos said.
He noted that the earlier phases have already become viral tourist spots on social media.
The President said small and medium-sized businesses would be allowed to set up along the new commercial spaces.
To clear the site, the government relocated 63 informal settler families to Naic, Cavite.
Marcos likewise highlighted recent efforts to modernize river transport, citing the M/B Dalaray, a locally designed electric ferry launched on Oct. 6 and which will be fully operational by November.
The government is also testing ClearBot, a solar-powered, artificial intelligence-enabled robotic vessel, in partnership with the Asian Development Bank, to help clean up waterways.
More green spaces
Marcos also revealed that he and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno are eyeing more urban transformations.
These include the conversion of the Intramuros Golf Course into an open public park, rehabilitation of Plaza Calderon in Binondo and the planned upgrade of the Lawton Underpass to improve pedestrian access to the esplanade.
“All these efforts are part of a larger vision to create a culturally rich urban environment where history, nature and modern living come together seamlessly,” he said.
He credited first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, whom he fondly called the administration’s “non-stop energizer bunny,” for driving the initiative, which recently earned the 2025 Asian Townscape Award from the United Nations-Habitat.
