Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos over the weekend expressed optimism that the Pasig River ferry service could help ease perennial traffic problems in Metro Manila.

He, however, said that it could only be realized once it is fully utilized as an alternative transport system at the National Capital Region.

This, as he received reports on the upturn of ridership of the Pasig River ferry service in the past year that reached 240,000 commuters using the alternative mode of transportation.

He also encouraged commuters to avail of the free service offered by the ferry, which currently runs from Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City to Escolta in Manila.

The ferry route was designed to cut the point-to-point travel time to just an hour instead of the usual three hours via land transport mode.

Abalos, however, admitted that more works are needed especially in the implementation of the Pasig River Urban Development Project.

“Maglakad ka, mag-jogging ka, from end to end, ang laking bagay noon. Pero marami pa tayong kailangang gawin dito,” Abalos said following his inspection of the Guadalupe-Escolta Pasig River ferry route.

He conducted the inspection together with Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairperson Don Artes.

To recall, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. last year signed Executive Order 35, which created the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development (IAC-PRUD).

The IAC-PRUD was primarily tasked to “facilitate and ensure the full rehabilitation of the banks along the Pasig River water system in order to provide alternative transportation, propel economic opportunities, and boost tourism activities.”

The DILG is one of the 13 member-agencies of the said council chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and vice-chaired by the MMDA chairperson.

In line with this project, Abalos assured that the recurring problem of illegal garbage and chemical disposal will also be addressed by focusing on projects that maintain the river’s cleanliness.

“Maaaring magkaroon tayo ng mga trash traps sa bawat estero at bawat kanal dahil lahat, eto rin ang babagsakan. Pangalawa, may mga NGOs na gumagawa ng re-dredging ng Pasig River, napakaimportante po niyan,” he added.

Meanwhile, MMDA Chairman Don Artes said that there are existing plans to increase the availability of boats and add more stations along the Pasig-Manila route.

“Ngayong taon, magdadagdag pa tayo ng mga bangka. Sa ngayon, mayroon po tayong labinlimang bangka, dadagdagan pa po natin ng tatlo hanggang apat ngayong taon na ito. Meron rin po tayong tatlong stations na hopefully mabubuksan ngayong taon na ito,” Artes said.

Original Article at: https://www.dilg.gov.ph/news/Abalos-sees-Pasig-River-ferry-service-potential-in-easing-NCR-traffic-woes/NC-2024-1009