Friday, June 13, 2008 [ manilatimes.net ]
THE board of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has approved a multi-billion-peso project that will improve water quality at the Pasig River, reduce health risks and enhance ferry transportation operations in the area.
Costing about P5.04 billion, the Pasig River Dredging Project involves the removal and containment of an estimated 2.83 million cubic meters of debris/sediment materials in the river covering a 17-kilometer stretch, extending 2 kilometers into Manila Bay from Del Pan Bridge to the Napindan Hydraulic Flood Control Gate.
Of the total cost, 89.29 percent will be funded by the Belgian Super Subsidy Facility, a soft loan governed and financed by the Belgian government. The remaining P539.85 million will represent the Philippine government’s counterpart.
The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission will implement the project, which is divided into three components to be implemented over a three-year period, starting from second quarter of this year until 2011.
The NEDA said the project is in line with the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan 2004 to 2010 to create a healthier environment for the population through improving water quality in the Pasig River.
“It is also supportive of the thrust to mitigate the occurrence of natural disasters through the implementation of structural measures such as keeping at the optimum the conveyance capacities of existing river channel floodways through dredging and desiltation,” the agency said.
The project is included in the 2007 to 2010 Comprehensive and Integrated Infrastructure Program, a list of projects submitted to foreign donors for co-financing.
The NEDA said the project will complement the ongoing Pasig River Environmental Management and Rehabilitation Sector Development Program and the proposed Treatment of Major and Minor Esteros and Tributaries Project. Both projects aim to improve water quality of the Pasig River.-- Darwin G. Amojelar
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