Pasig River - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 4

sandrn

April 16th, 2007, 02:16 AM

New terminals to be put up for Pasig ferry
By VG Cabuag
Reporter
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/04162007/shipping01.html

BY June, three more stations along the Pasig River will be put up, allowing a ferry operator to transport commuters to and from Manila and Makati via the waterway dividing the metropolis in two.

According to the project’s officials, stations leading up to the Marikina area will also be established by yearend.

Inaugurated last February, the river transport service currently covers only three stations, with just one vessel ferrying passengers from Guadalupe to Sta. Mesa and Escolta.

Agustin Bengzon, who heads the project, said that the ferry operator, Nautical Transport Services, Inc., has promised to pay for all the government’s expenses pertaining to the establishment of the stations in 25 years.

A total of 17 terminals will be constructed, with each one costing anywhere from P14 million to P17 million.

Expenses arising from the terminals’ construction will be initially funded by the Department of Transport and Communications as part of its venture with Nautical Transport, a privately held company solely created to provide inter-island water passenger transport services. The company is 25 percent owned by Robert Scott Cole, an Australian national, while the rest is controlled by his Filipino partners.

During the early 90’s, two operators—Magsaysay Lines and Star Craft Ferry—already attempted to ferry passengers on the river but both closed down
after months of operation due to low volumes.

Passengers have continued to shun the idea of using the service as a result of the river’s polluted waters.

Meanwhile, government officials have cited other reasons behind the firms' shuttered operations such as mismanagement of the ferry business, among others.

Although the Pasig River was Manila’s first highway, used for trading even before the Spaniards arrived, it eventually became a dumping site of many businesses.

In 1993, during President Ramos’ term, the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission was created but made very little headway in cleaning up the waterway.

Lili

April 16th, 2007, 02:24 AM

^ Yes, development of the ferry transportation operations and cleaning and beautification of the river and vicinities should go hand in hand.

venntro

April 16th, 2007, 06:47 AM

^^ I hope we see a more modern looking and clean Pasig River soon!

Animo

April 17th, 2007, 04:08 AM

Rene Sumodobila writes: "It had a single lane in each travel way to allow passage of horse-drawn carriages and a pedestrian island in the middle. The Puente Colgante is said to be first suspension bridge in the Far East. The bridge materials were imported from England by Matia Menchacatorre y Cia, a Spanish company, in joint venture with Ayala y Cia, a local company. The contruction was supervised by M. Gabaud, a French engineer. Inaugurated in January 4, 1852, it went into service until 1940 in order to give way to the modern-day Quezon Bridge."

[CENTER]1852 Colgante de Manila (Claveria)-Manila, Philippines (Pasig River)

Check this thread dude: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=425386&page=3

^^ It has a lot more information and photos of the the bridges that used to be on Pasig.

pau_p1

April 17th, 2007, 01:26 PM

^^ that's good news! thanks dudz for the infos, I see na it's improving little by little...:)

here's uhm, guadalupe station and a park?
http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/9716/dsc0130dk9.jpg

the guadalupe station is on the other side of EDSA....and on the other side of the riverbank... that is the park and "amphitheatre" for the barangay Ilaya - Barangka in Mandaluyong....

oboi

April 21st, 2007, 09:59 PM

Crossing the Pasig River is an evitable activity of my daily grind as I shuttle between Makati and Mandaluyong everyday. Recently, I noticed that the river has turned black (not just brown) and the stench is becoming unbearable. Perhaps it's due to the onset of summer - lack of rain water to dilute the sewage being discharged to the river. Pasig river is like a huge sewer now. :ohno:

Last Year... (December 17, 2006)

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/pasig04.jpg

Recently... (April 20, 2007)

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/pasig02.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/pasig03.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/pasig01.jpg

crappypants

April 21st, 2007, 10:15 PM

oh well , there goes our bubble. kase ang dame dame ng tao hindi na alam kung saan pagsisiksikan. a river will die if its surrounding ecosystem is not balanced. in this case there are too many people and man made structure living around the vicinity of pasig.

metrosuburban

April 23rd, 2007, 08:04 PM

^^ swear to God, literally black na yung tubig!! parang langis ang itsura...

crappypants

April 24th, 2007, 01:02 AM

yikes the stench must be horrendous. I hate the way they write on the embankment. it makes it look more dirty like grafitti. :bash:

richard24

April 24th, 2007, 01:10 PM

sometimes.., dredging can cause that blackish color., tho i'm not sure if there are currently any ongoing dredging.

crappypants

April 25th, 2007, 08:41 AM

well there goes that tourist attraction.

OtAkAw

April 25th, 2007, 06:46 PM

The La Nina phenomenon is expected to arrive earlier. By the end of May according to PAGASA. So let's just nature do her work, let her minimize the filth of Pasig River for us because our incompetent officials and fellowmen can't do the job even with the slightest indication of decency.

killmart

April 27th, 2007, 02:39 AM

oh lmao!!!! i thought the color was dark blue now.

diz

April 27th, 2007, 05:35 PM

ano kayang mabaho na kulay itim?

Animo

April 27th, 2007, 07:14 PM

^^ Hindi ba parang aceite iyong krudo na amoy?

normandb

April 28th, 2007, 01:14 AM

ano kayang mabaho na kulay itim?

may classmate ako dati may itim yong ipin nya amoy imburnal pag nagsasalita sya pero hindi naman lahat ng may itim ang ipin mabaho. Kaya dati feeling ko nasa Pasig River ako pag-nagsasalita sya.

crappypants

April 28th, 2007, 07:27 AM

did you try offering mint?^^

oboi

May 1st, 2007, 07:52 AM

The wealth...
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/rockwellreflects.jpg

...and health of Pasig River
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/reflections.jpg
April 30, 2007

oboi

May 1st, 2007, 07:53 AM

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/jonesbridge.jpg
April 30, 2007

diz

May 1st, 2007, 07:59 AM

Wow. Itim na itim. :(

sandrn

May 1st, 2007, 12:16 PM

mga kemikal yan galing sa mga industriya, nangunguna na yung mga oil depot refinery dyan sa tabi ng Pasig. Pati na rin dumi ng mga squatter dyan.

richard24

May 1st, 2007, 12:30 PM

ang hula ko sa dredging yan..., ganyan talaga pag may dinedredge.., nangingitim.,

the oil depots are pretty strict sa pag tagas ng oil sa river., so unlikely na sa pandacan galing yan.., pero pwede ring galing sa mga factories., if they are still operational., ang alam ko kasi, only a number of factories around the pasig river are operational kasi they are transfering na to less congested areas, like laguna and cavite..,

Bosnyboy

May 1st, 2007, 12:48 PM

Hi guys i saw an mmds dredging barge floating along pasig river yesterday Its position in the jones bridge area near the mouth of the pasig river facing towards manila bay. MMDA is prolly clearing the river of silt n garbage. By the way the dredging barge is also something to behold coz it is soooo huge and whats interesting about it is its all painted in the colors of MMDA which is lite blue n pink. Cute.

oboi

May 1st, 2007, 02:01 PM

It's definitely not dredging. Pasig River is literally a big open sewer. It's sewage from the houses. I just took the ferry again to Escolta yesterday and I can see that a lot of informal settlers have built their "poop houses" and irreverently disposing their garbage along the river banks. A lot of our drainage system are also emptied at the river. Hinulugang Taktak in Antipolo City and Pasig River has that same and distinctive smell of sewage. :ohno:

metrosuburban

May 1st, 2007, 09:08 PM

when taking the MRT pag summer season the stench of the river can be smelled hanggang Boni Avenue in Mandaluyong grabeh sa baho talaga!

Lili

May 1st, 2007, 09:34 PM

Sinjin P.

May 2nd, 2007, 05:00 AM

^ Yeah, nakita mo naman siguro ang mga pics ko Ate Lili, marami talagang lumulutang na "polystyrene" at mabula siya, marumi at mabaho :ohno:

Lili

May 2nd, 2007, 01:49 PM

^^ Nakita ko nga sa pictures mo. Kailan kaya magkakaron ng environmental awareness ang mga tao. Kasi dapat bigyan sila ng basic amenities para malaman nila ang importansya ng pag-iingat sa kalikasan.

Insanedriver

May 3rd, 2007, 12:32 PM

Aragon

May 5th, 2007, 07:38 PM

nayki

May 6th, 2007, 05:55 AM

Isa kasi sa pinaka magastos ang water treatment facility eh. Kung may sapat lang na kaalaman, disiplina, at malasakit ang mga tao d na kelangan gumastos ng malaki.

richard24

May 6th, 2007, 09:54 AM

i saw this one at the MMDA website
http://www.mmda.gov.ph/main.html

Five new bridges across Pasig River

Five new bridges across Pasig River will be built in the cities of Manila, Mandaluyong and Makati as soon as the ongoing massive clearing of illegal settlers and garbage on creeks and waterways of Metro Manila are completed.

This was bared today by Chairman Bayani Fernando of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) who said that plans are being finalized to start building by the end of the year connecting bridges across
Pasig River and between two streets on Trabajo, Elino Cruz, Lindayag and Mabini , all in Mandaluyong City; Makati Del Binondo and Muelle del Rio in Manila, Lawton Ave. and Sta. Monica, both in Makati and Mandaluyong cities; and Dr.Carrion and Posadas in Manila.

Fernando said the new infrastructure projects form part of an inter-agency long-term plan to develop and improve the rivers in the metropolis with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as the lead agency, together with the MMDA and the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC).

Funds for the construction of the new bridges will be sourced out from the DPWH, Fernando said.

At the same time, the MMDA is awaiting the release of fund from the PRRC to defray the expenses for maintaining the cleanliness of Pasig River which the MMDA said will not only look good but will smell good in no time.

“The measure of a clean river is it should smell good and our workers are clearing river wastes one after the other and not through a shotgun-approach,” he said.

To clear the creeks and esteros of squatter families who have been identified as mainly responsible for the indiscriminate dumping of garbage onto the waterways, the MMDA chief has directed his staff to scout for few parcels of land in the suburbs where these settlers can be relocated.

Fernando is optimistic that at the rate high-impact projects like infrastructure development being undertaken by the agency under the Metro Gwapo program are going, “it would be safe to declare that the improvement and beautification of the metropolis would have achieved its Metro Gwapito level by next year”.

Pinoy_ako

May 6th, 2007, 10:20 AM

I know this sounds stupid and chilldish pero...
Pwede ba gamitan yan ng water treatment plant, i mean hihigupin ang tubig unti unti sa ilog tapos i-treat yung tubig then ibuhos uli sa dulong entrance ng river...?
and bago gawin ilipat muna yung informal settlers?
maybe in four years malinis na...

Malaking gawak, kasi dapat i-consider ang tidal flow sa Pasig River. Kapag high tide, "malinis" tingnan ang Pasig dahil ang tubig ng Manila Bay, umaagos paakyat ng Pasig. Kaya kung tutuusin, naapektuhan ng tubig ng Manila Bay ang Pasig River at vice versa, dahil na rin sa tide flow. Kung low tide naman, bumababa ang wate level at ang murky bottom ng river ay makikita, kaya mas mabaho siya. In fact, kulay itim. Kung naka-punta na kayo sa mangroves sa low tide, ganoon malamang ang original na amoy ng Pasig River during low tide ( hindi pa rin ganoon kaganda, pero natural at may tidal life na mabubuhay tulad ng mga crabs at iba pa ). Ang kaso, polluted ang river kaya talagang malala ang amoy, at wala ring nabubuhay dahil sa pollutants na nasa river bottom. Pero sa ngayon, may mga lumalangoy nang isda sa Pasig,na hinuhuli ng mga tao sa pampang. Kaya two-pronged approach ang paglinis sa Pasig River, treating the water at the Pasig River Basin ( kasama ang mga tributaries nito gaya ng Marikina River, San Juan River at iba pang creeks, kasama na ang source nito, ang Laguna de Bay ), at ang Manila Bay. Kung tutuusin, ang basura sa Pasig, pabalik-balik lang yung iba.

PLCMarketing

May 8th, 2007, 01:49 AM

Could the Pasig River Ever Look Like This ?

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j309/PLCMarketing/119StGeorgesWharfTower_pic6.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j309/PLCMarketing/119StGeorgesWharfTower_pic9.jpg

30 years ago, London's East End Docklands were abandoned wharehouses, old factory sites, and the River Thames in a condition not that worse than the Pasig river........ now, could we redevelope the Pasig Riverbanks to become prime residential and retail property ?

queetz@home

May 8th, 2007, 05:19 AM

Sinjin P.

May 8th, 2007, 05:24 AM

Yes, discipline starts at home.

PLCMarketing

May 8th, 2007, 06:00 AM

^^ Buildings, yes. The water based on the rendering, maybe. It really depends whether people here, for the life of me, simply would have the discipline and will power to stop throwing garbage everywhere!

Another thing they did in the UK years ago was to privatize all the garbage and refuse collections and enforce strict environmental effulent controls for water and chemical waste disposal. The private contractors made millions from cleaning up the river and managing the effective control of garbage and sanitary land fill areas....... maybe lessons can be learned by the MMDA and Metro Manila Local Government..... then again, its having the political will to implement and of course the discipline to stop throwing garbage everywhere....

If Cities such as Olongapo can keep its streets clean and so can Marikina to a certain extent so why not the rest ?

Its amazing land owners along the Pasig riverbanks have not seen for themselves that area could be another North and South River Embankment with the most expensive real estate in Metro Manila..... :ohno:

thomasian

May 9th, 2007, 07:20 AM

Hulo Pasig Ferry Station and "tawiran" boat station on the left of it, with Makati-Madaluyong bridge on the background.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/aaron_ofngol/Photo_042107_009x.jpg

Only a few meters away from where I took that pic... may mga nangisngisda dito sa creek sa bungad ng ilog Pasig.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/aaron_ofngol/Photo_042107_010x.jpg

Ano kaya nahuhuli nila, parang di naman Imelda Fish yung nakita ko eh.

Sinjin P.

May 9th, 2007, 07:21 AM

^ Safe kaya 'yan para kainin?

Waldenstrom

May 9th, 2007, 07:36 PM

I think eels could thrive in the dirty water of Pasig river. :)

venntro

May 11th, 2007, 07:08 AM

There are lots of janitor fish along the Pasig River especially on the Rosario, Pasig area.

ChicTown

May 11th, 2007, 06:13 PM

Yes, discipline starts at home.

Hello @Jhaelins. Hope all is well! How true indeed that discipline starts at home. However, it's sort of "the blind leading the blind" scenario. IMO, the government should enforce a no littering measure, with penalties to those breaking the law regardless of stature. Our neighboring countries effectively adopt the measure and we should be able to emulate it. Our people are smart and educated enough to know what's best for them. It's our country and no- one else's. Viva Pilipinas! Regards.:) :)

tigidig14

May 11th, 2007, 07:32 PM

nah ,i doubt, maybe 100 yrs from now

TheRick

May 13th, 2007, 05:09 AM

PLCMarketing

May 13th, 2007, 08:02 AM

I agree discipline.

But maybe there's hope in the future. They might come up with new technology that could efficiently clean the river. Maybe, that could give
an incentive for the government to legislate a better program to clean the river.

And might jump start everybody to try to clean up and stop throwing stuff in the river.

Wishful Thinking...

First step is to STOP THROWING GARBAGE and allowing all the factories to DUMP TOXIC WASTE into the river.... thereafter to cleanup the water, you only have to dredge all the mud, muck and debris from it to keep it clean... of course that is with the presumption Manila Bay and Laguna de Bay are also clean ! ..... :ohno:

oboi

May 21st, 2007, 08:48 PM

The sad state of Pasig river today. Got these pics on May 19, 2007. Hopefully, the incoming rainy season will flush all these away, where else but the Manila Bay. :ohno:

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/pasig01-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/pasig02-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/pasig03-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/pasig04-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/pasig05.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/pasig06.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/pasig07.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/pasig08.jpg

Insanedriver

May 21st, 2007, 08:53 PM

Get rid of the Informal settlers now :bash:

Lili

May 21st, 2007, 08:53 PM

^ Ugh. That is really a story state of Pasig River lately. Aren't they going to sift out all that garbage floating on the river? I had high hopes before. I am crossing my fingers that they pay attention to cleaning up Pasig River once again.

Waldenstrom

May 21st, 2007, 09:22 PM

I read somewhere that Pasig river somehow represents the Philippines itself. It is true IMO. :(

jgacis

May 23rd, 2007, 02:35 AM

Get rid of the Informal settlers now :bash:

I agree. Although it won't completely revitalize the river, getting rid of the squatters will make a big difference. And not only relocating them, but preventing future squatters from setting camp along our Pasig River.

If you look at history, the Pasig River was the river of life. Many people lived along its banks to fish, laundry, bath, etc. etc. We live in a different world now, let's hope the government addresses these issues.

le Reine

May 23rd, 2007, 11:38 AM

Case Study III: The Pasig River, Philippines
Cruz, Renato T.

The Pasig River system runs through five cities and four municipalities and connects two large, important bodies of water; Manila Bay in the west is the country's main port of maritime trade and travel and Laguna de Bay in the east is the largest freshwater lake in the country and connects 30 suburban towns to the metropolitan centre. Before the colonial period, the Pasig River was the main point of entry for international trade into what is now the City of Manila. Advancements in land transportation have changed the landscape considerably. Traditionally, the municipalities upstream were fishing communities relying mostly on the Pasig River and Laguna de Bay, while the settlements downstream experienced rapid urbanisation with the influx of trade from other provinces and countries. Before pollution virtually extinguished aquatic life, the whole 25 km of the Pasig River between Laguna de Bay and Manila Bay served as a habitat for 25 varieties of fish and 13 different types of aquatic plant. Today, there are only six species of fish and two types of plants left that can tolerate the polluted water. The situation, however, is not irreversible. During the rainy months of June to December each year, fish from Laguna de Bay are carried by the floodwaters to the Pasig River. The flushing effect of the increased water levels in Laguna de Bay increase the dissolved oxygen content of the river to a level that increases its potential for some aquaculture activities. Unfortunately, during the dry summer months of March to May, the river is virtually dead because the water becomes stagnant with the much reduced flow.

The various subcultures existing in Metro Manila result in many problems that reflect the complex socio-economic characteristics of the city. With the continuous dumping of wastes, the river bed has become more and more silted with organic matter and non-biodegradable rubbish. This results in serious flooding along the river, affecting nearby communities and carrying polluted water to the households living close to the river.

If you want to learn more about the Pasig River read this file from the WHO (http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/resourcesquality/wpccasestudy3.pdf)

Another informative article is made by Greenpeace (http://archive.greenpeace.org/toxics/toxfreeasia/documents/pasigriver.html) and Ausaid (http://www.ausaid.gov.au/publications/pdf/pasigriver.pdf)

bonixx

May 23rd, 2007, 01:29 PM

le Reine

May 23rd, 2007, 02:34 PM

^easier said than done. :(

Waldenstrom

May 23rd, 2007, 06:37 PM

^^dapat hulihin yang mga nagtatapon Basura sa Ilog...lagyan ng ngipin ang Batas at sa tingin ko mas makakatipid kung maglagay na lang ng mga survalance camera para mahuli na yang matitigas na ulo nagtatapon ng basura kesa sa gagastusin paglilinis ng ilog Pasig...pabulukin na lang yung dapat mabulok at alisin yung mga lumutang na plastic etc...at bantayan para wag na madagdagan pa...

Napakabait kasi ng government natin sa mga nakatira sa tabi ng Pasig. Nung nasa JP Rizal, Makati ako, nakikita ko yung mga GK villages sa kabilang riverside. Di ko alam kung bakit ine-encourage pa yata ang pagtira sa tabi ng ilog. :ohno: Pasig river is getting stinkier everyday. Andami ko pa rin nakikitang lumulutang na basura. MMDA Bayani Fernando is still failing on this project IMO.

le Reine

May 23rd, 2007, 06:48 PM

The problem with Pasig River is not actually about the squatters. Though they contribute to the waste, the real culprit behind are the industrial factories and the residents themselves (though indirectly). And these establishments, even if they are still far from the river, could still pollute it since all of their wastes are directed to the river itself through the canals. Since Metro Manila does not have a sewerage system or only a few, about 17-20% has access to it, most of the waste go to the river. So technically, the Pasig River, Manila Bay and Laguna lake became Metro Manila's largest septic tank. Unlike in other metropolis, Metro Manila doesn't have a centralized sewerage system or even if it has one, it cannot serve all the 13 million residents of the metro. And these sewerage system are also old, very, very old and narrow.

[dx]

May 24th, 2007, 09:41 AM

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/4363/1121690ss7.jpg
May Pag-asa pa. :)
Photo by rayhaffenden (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/1121690)

le Reine

May 24th, 2007, 09:57 AM

^ang ganda naman niyan. saan iyan? mukhang malapit sa binondo.

normandb

May 24th, 2007, 10:01 AM

^ang ganda naman niyan. saan iyan? mukhang malapit sa binondo.

mas malapit sya sa photoshop :lol:

le Reine

May 24th, 2007, 11:56 AM

gosh, sana naman hindi siya photoshop.

Bosnyboy

May 24th, 2007, 03:30 PM

Nope its not photoshop. May smog pa nga sa background. And yep dats the banks of pasig river at the back of the immigration bldg and opposite that is muelle de binondo. It is also there where ul find the origingal phil stock exchange before they transfer to ayala and then to ortigas/ayala. I used to go there with my parents at the old stock exchange to see the prices change. Manual pa lahat yun. So whenever prices of a certain issue change may tao na kukuha ng eraser at buburahin yung entry sa blackboard then papalitan using chalk. hehehehe

oboi

May 24th, 2007, 04:24 PM

This portion of the Pasig River, which is nearer to its mouth and Manila Bay, isn't as bad as the rest of the whole river system. The water in the river is much diluted in this part. It doesn't stink that much too!

oboi

May 29th, 2007, 09:21 PM

The Pasig River linear park in Makati along J.P. Rizal.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/linear01.jpg
Across the river is the defunct Noah's Ark Sugar Refinery, the purported expansion of Rockwell Land in Mandaluyong.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/linear02.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/linear04.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/linear03.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/linear05.jpg

Lili

May 30th, 2007, 12:23 AM

^^ Oboi_1: Mukhang panay ang pasyal mo all over Metro Manila ha. Ang ganda ng ma pictures mo. Thanks for sharing. :)

le Reine

May 30th, 2007, 12:28 AM

^oo nga Oboi... gusto mo sumama sa meet namin?

normandb

May 30th, 2007, 12:38 AM

^^rainbow meet kayo XP?

le Reine

May 30th, 2007, 12:41 AM

^yup... kayo, gusto niyo sumama? Hindi naman talaga rainbow meet na puro homo ah... Wala lang EB lang. Sino ba naman kasi ang nagsabing rainbow meet iyon... :lol:

normandb

May 30th, 2007, 12:46 AM

^^pag nag-rainbow brite meet kayo tatapatan ko yan ng Carebears meet along pasig river (para hindi out of topic :D)

Lili

May 30th, 2007, 01:46 AM

Waldenstrom

May 30th, 2007, 05:58 AM

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/3489/rockwellxs9.jpg

Lili

May 30th, 2007, 06:01 AM

^ Ang ganda niya ha. Akala ko parang sa abroad. Ang ganda ng view dyan. Saan banda kinuhanan yan.

oboi

May 30th, 2007, 06:04 AM

^^ Oboi_1: Mukhang panay ang pasyal mo all over Metro Manila ha. Ang ganda ng ma pictures mo. Thanks for sharing. :)

Thank you ate Lili. Palagi ko kasing nililibot yung Kamaynilaan kaya minsan picture-picture na rin. :)

^oo nga Oboi... gusto mo sumama sa meet namin?

When ba yung meet? Try ko kung pwede ako. :) Kung sakaling makapunta ako eh di ako yung kulay black sa rainbow? :D

Waldenstrom

May 30th, 2007, 06:04 AM

From Rockwell Center po yan. :)

oboi

May 30th, 2007, 06:21 AM

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/fort.jpg

Lili

May 30th, 2007, 06:30 AM

^ Nice! Postcard quality. :okay:
Thank you ate Lili. Palagi ko kasing nililibot yung Kamaynilaan kaya minsan picture-picture na rin. :)

When ba yung meet? Try ko kung pwede ako. :) Kung sakaling makapunta ako eh di ako yung kulay black sa rainbow? :D

Ingat ka dyan. Baka patibong ni @XP 'yan. :jk:

le Reine

May 30th, 2007, 12:27 PM

^^ :lol: Paano na lang ang My Little Pony?

Ah heto pala (para hindi off-topic)
Then
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/Circa1900/bridgespain1902horse-mrk.jpg

Now (nalunod sa ilog Pasig)
In 2005
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/Circa1900/webhorsebackjones05.jpg
oo nga lunod na iyan sa dumi

Thank you ate Lili. Palagi ko kasing nililibot yung Kamaynilaan kaya minsan picture-picture na rin. :)

When ba yung meet? Try ko kung pwede ako. :) Kung sakaling makapunta ako eh di ako yung kulay black sa rainbow? :D
punta ka na lang sa thread na ito (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=479956)

^^pag nag-rainbow brite meet kayo tatapatan ko yan ng Carebears meet along pasig river (para hindi out of topic :D)

wag niyo na iyon tawaging rainbow brite meet. kasi parang nagpapakaexclusive kami. hindi naman. you are all welcome to our meet.

le Reine

May 30th, 2007, 12:28 PM

^ Nice! Postcard quality. :okay:

Ingat ka dyan. Baka patibong ni @XP 'yan. :jk:

I think he loves traps... Diba Oh boy?

PAra on topic: ang dumi na naman ng pasig river. pero magiging malinis siya kasi uulan na naman. :lol:

Sinjin P.

May 31st, 2007, 04:23 AM

^ Yes, tag-ulan na, pero sa'n kaya dadalhin ang basura niyan? Sa Manila Bay? :shocked:

[dx]

May 31st, 2007, 04:32 AM

OT: Grabe yung volume ng basura na na-feature sa news kagabi as cause ng pagbabaha sa ibang parts ng Metro, Horrendous! :eek: :runaway: :ohno:

Waldenstrom

May 31st, 2007, 06:21 AM

Yes, sa Manila Bay mapupunta lahat yan. tsk tsk

le Reine

May 31st, 2007, 09:24 AM

^ Yes, tag-ulan na, pero sa'n kaya dadalhin ang basura niyan? Sa Manila Bay? :shocked:

yup sa manila bay nga... basahin mo yung previous pages may pinost ako dun about the pasig river... mahaba habang reading nga lang iyon

Sinjin P.

May 31st, 2007, 10:06 AM

Sana naman may isang araw na ideclare bilang holiday and all the residents are required to pick some trash from the river. I'm sure mauubos 'yan sa isang araw. Milyun-milyon pa naman ang mga residente sa Metro Manila. :lol:

Insanedriver

May 31st, 2007, 10:37 AM

^^ Good idea...
pero i'm sure siguro mga 10% of the residents lang ang makikipagcooperate...
neighborhood ko wala ng P a k e sa mga nangyayari sa Metro...
basta all they know is malinis ang neighborhood and it is as safe as posible

(bakit cencored ang p a k e?)

Sinjin P.

May 31st, 2007, 11:20 AM

^ P-a-k-i is censored because it is regarded as an offensive word in Pakistan. Anyway, dapat talaga compulsory at ikulong ang hindi sasali sa 1 day clean up drive. :lol: Cleanliness starts at home ika nga. :)

thomasian

May 31st, 2007, 11:32 AM

heard from my lola's radio kanina, may area ng isang river or creek na sobrang daming basura, tapos nung nilinis ng city gov't, naglagay sila ng surveillance camera para mahuli ang mga nagtatapon ng basura dun sa waterway sa squatter's area, guess what happened... the camera was stolen. :hilarious

le Reine

May 31st, 2007, 01:17 PM

^ahahaha... sumakit tiyan ko... ahahaha

Waldenstrom

May 31st, 2007, 01:23 PM

^^ Natawa rin ako sobra. :lol: Lagyan na lang din ng hidden surveillance camera yung surveillance camera. :lol:

Insanedriver

May 31st, 2007, 03:19 PM

An talino naman ng nagplano ng maglagay ng surveilance camera diyan :lol:
deserves an honor and a monument :rofl:

reggiedoc

June 3rd, 2007, 10:08 PM

MMDA opens new Pasig ferry station :banana:

By JOSE RODEL CLAPANO
The Philippine Star

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced Sunday that commuter ferry boats along Pasig River will open Monday the fifth boat station near the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila, to accommodate the thousands of students who will troop to various schools and universities in Metro Manila during the opening of classes.

Beth Espino of the MMDA’s planning office, said there are currently four ferry boats stations at the Pasig River.

Espino said commuters may take their ferry boat ride at the Escolta-Sta. Ana-Hulo in Mandaluyong and Guadalupe stations.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando said he preferred the development of the ferry service to decongest the main thoroughfares and secondary roads in Metro Manila.

Fernando said the ferry boats give the commuters an alternative mode of transportation.

Espino said that the travel time from the Escolta boat station in Manila to Guadalupe in Makati is approximately 55 minutes at a fix rate of only P25 per passenger.

"The fare in ferry boats are relatively less costly and more convenient compared to the regular passenger buses" Espino said.

Espino said the intervals of arrivals of ferry boats in stations is 35 minutes.

She said the ferry boats has a modern design made of fiber glass with two propellers, airconditioned and has a capacity of 150 persons.

At this early, however, commuters riding in ferry boats have complained of the unbearable foul odor coming from the Pasig River, which Fernando said are normal during the rainy season.

Fernando said commuters will initially smell the stench due to strong rains that will flush out the water coming from canals, creeks, esteros and ponds leading to Pasig River and its tributaries.

He said with the airconditioning facilities, the passengers will enjoy a more convenient and comfortable ride with minimal foul odor from the Pasig River.

"We had traced the problem from the domestic waste of the households disposing their toilet discards directly into the Pasig River," Fernando said.

richard24

June 4th, 2007, 10:56 AM

^^ wow!!! bukas na pala station namin! sasakay ako diyan sa pasukan! :)

3cr

June 5th, 2007, 02:11 AM

MMDA imposes no shanties on waterways
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/june/05/yehey/metro/20070605met7.html

THE Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Monday that it will continue to impose the “No Encroachment” policy along waterways in Metro Manila and no police officer, priest or judge could stop the agency from doing its mandate.

Chairman Bayani Fernando issued the statement in connection with the incident last week wherein a clearing operation being conducted by personnel of the Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group at a creek in Quezon City was stopped after Congressman Vincent Crisologo, District I representative of Quezon City stopped the MMDA on its clearing operation of illegal shanties at a creek side near the southbound lane of EDSA in Muñoz, last week.

Fernando explained the policy being implemented in all waterways of Metro Manila will still be observed to discourage deter informal settlers from living in creeks and rivers, which become “danger zones” especially during the rainy season.

Crisologo demanded MMDA director Bobby Esquivel papers that would back their operations, but Esquivel explained the shanties were constructed along road right of way and there is no need for them to get permission from anybody because the law prohibits anyone from constructing structures on the waterways.

But the lawmaker insists that the MMDA made a mistake and even ordered of its personnel arrested and detained.

Robert Nacianceno, MMDA general manager, explained the clearing of esteros and creeks of all kind of structure including shanties is also for the safety of the people living there especially now that the rainy season has started.

Nacianceno added, they don’t need papers for them to conduct such operation and affected residents are being informed several days before the clearing operation is made.

Meanwhile, Fernando call on local officials to help the agency on its waterway clearing operation by providing garbage trucks that will carry the trash being collected from fovers.

The MMDA’s flood control unit said the presence of floating debris and garbage along the rivers has hampered the operations at the pumping stations.

sista

June 5th, 2007, 02:46 AM

^^ Nice policy, but hard to implement

tigidig14

June 5th, 2007, 02:49 AM

^so will that goes along w/the esteros too

richard24

June 5th, 2007, 05:58 AM

le Reine

June 5th, 2007, 09:21 PM

^well, he was just trying to be a "hero." Duh, nagmagaling pa siya...

Bosnyboy

June 7th, 2007, 01:57 PM

Syempre kakampi sya sa mahihirap para come next election if he shud decide to run for higher office maaalala sya ng mga tao. Selfish &%#&%$#

DaimosLA

June 9th, 2007, 02:09 AM

Only found out about this today...well, this is welcome news nonetheless. This is a noble project so Manilans should support it.

TheAvenger

June 13th, 2007, 01:58 PM

Pls note that I have posted about 150 photos of the June 12th – Independence Day celebration at Rizal Park in the Thread :

Luzon MANILA, My MANILA - Tradition and Modernity - T10

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=13696990#post13696990

FrancisXavier

June 13th, 2007, 04:12 PM

oonga eh... muntik na gumuho computer ko sa dami...:D

sandrn

June 20th, 2007, 02:22 AM

Pasig ferry service to open
8 more stations till January
By Claudeth Mocon
Correspondent
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/06202007/economy03.html

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced Tuesday that eight other stations of Pasig River ferry boats will open in strategic parts of the metropolis this year up to January next year.

The new stations of the Pasig Ferry Service are aimed to decongest traffic in Metro Manila’s main roads.

Using the ferry boats as an alternate means of transportation, according to the MMDA, will contribute a lot in decongesting the major roads in the metropolis.

Records from the MMDA showed that 3,000 public-utility buses ply Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa), the metropolis’s main road, daily.

The MMDA said the eight ferry boat stations and their start of operation are Plaza Mexico, Manila (July 2007); San Joaquin, Pasig City (October 2007); Santa Elena, Marikina City (November 2007); Marcos Bridge, Marikina City (November 2007); Quezon Bridge, Manila (November 2007); barangay Valenzuela, Makati (December 2007); Napindan, Taguig City (January 2008); and Caniogan, Pasig City (January 2008).

Robert Nacianceno, MMDA general manager, said that aside from decongesting traffic in the metropolis, the ferry boats offer amenities that provide riding comfort to the commuters.

The Pasig Ferry Service has air-conditioned waiting areas, intelligent ticketing system, scanner and metal detectors, comfort rooms and handicap lifts for the physically challenged passengers.

Since the opening of regular classes on June 12 where 2.5 million students and pupils trooped back to school, the volume of vehicles increased by 40 percent on the Metro Manila streets, with the traffic congestion more evident during the rush hours from 6 to 9 a.m., and from 5 to 8 p.m.

Currently, the Pasig Ferry Service has four stations: one each in Guadalupe in Makati City; Hulo in Mandaluyong City; and Santa Ana and Escolta, both in Manila.

It takes less than 40 minutes to reach Escolta in Manila coming from Guadalupe in Makati at a flat rate of P25 per passenger compared with the close to two-hour trip and P40 fare when riding a passenger bus going the same route.

Each ferry boat features a modern design made of fiberglass with two propellers and has a riding capacity of 150 passengers each.

Nacianceno noted that the decrease in the number of vehicles on the streets will not only decongest vehicular traffic but also significantly contribute to the decline of the noise and air pollution.

richard24

June 20th, 2007, 06:17 PM

^^ i actually went to the PUP ferry station a while ago., wasnt able to take pix., but i had a lil chat with the guard., he's friendly and glad to answer all my questions.,

-sabi sakin is next month would be the opening of both the plaza mexico station and the san juaquin station., :)

-kamusta naman ang flat screen TV daw sa loob., :) well that's what he told me., i asked kasi kung mabobore bako sa pagsakay sa ferry., sabi niya may flat screen TV pa nga eh., hehehe.., :lol:

-tinanong ko din kung meron bang sumasakay sa station namin sa PUP, since it is only opened to students, profs and staff of PUP only (sa ngayon)., sabi niya marami daw pag umaga at bandang evening ang sumasakay sa mga ferry.., :) and hopefuly, more would use it as they open more stations., :)

-according to the article above^^ ang opening ng stations is hanggang january, ang sabi sakin nung guard, by this year daw, lahat magbubukas, (pero mukha namang reliable yung article na yan^^) :)

-he also said that the riverbanks station is already under construction., :)

------------------
ganda ng station namin sa PUP., halos pareho ng design sa guadalupe., :)
------
sana maglagay ng station ang eastwood city and rockwell, since they have a very good advantage of being located beside the river., :) bakit nga ba hindi sila maglagay.,?

le Reine

June 21st, 2007, 10:52 AM

^^sana kapag marami na ang demand i extend nila sa future Bay City. Imagine, you can go to Manila, Pasay, Paranaque, Las Pinas, Navotas, Malabon, Bulacan, Cavite, Corregidor and Bataan from Pasig, QC and Marikina without using a car! Saya nun! Tapos, why don't they also use the ferry to go to Laguna, Rizal and Quezon province via Pasig River-Laguna Lake. Ang saya diba? If I'm not mistaken, the Spaniards and early Filipinos are using these route for trade. I hope it would be revived.

richard24

June 21st, 2007, 04:35 PM

^^ saya nun!! :) :) kaso lang diba may harang yung papuntang laguna lake?(yung floodgate?)

oboi

June 21st, 2007, 06:12 PM

Pasig ferry service to open
8 more stations till January
By Claudeth Mocon
Correspondent
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/06202007/economy03.html

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced Tuesday that eight other stations of Pasig River ferry boats will open in strategic parts of the metropolis this year up to January next year.

..................

Currently, the Pasig Ferry Service has four stations: one each in Guadalupe in Makati City; Hulo in Mandaluyong City; and Santa Ana and Escolta, both in Manila.

................

Took the ferry the other day. Currently, six stations are now open: Escolta, PUP, Sta. Ana, Lambingan, Hulo and Guadalupe.

^^ i actually went to the PUP ferry station a while ago., wasnt able to take pix., but i had a lil chat with the guard., he's friendly and glad to answer all my questions.,

-kamusta naman ang flat screen TV daw sa loob., :) well that's what he told me., i asked kasi kung mabobore bako sa pagsakay sa ferry., sabi niya may flat screen TV pa nga eh., hehehe.., :lol:

-tinanong ko din kung meron bang sumasakay sa station namin sa PUP, since it is only opened to students, profs and staff of PUP only (sa ngayon)., sabi niya marami daw pag umaga at bandang evening ang sumasakay sa mga ferry.., :) and hopefuly, more would use it as they open more stations., :)

------------------
ganda ng station namin sa PUP., halos pareho ng design sa guadalupe., :)

Basically, all stations have similar architectural designs. They're all nice! :ok:

There's a flat screen TV on board the ferry. Videokes or concerts are usually on TV. Last time they were showing the old concerts of Tom Jones! :lol:

At PUP Station, there were a number of faculty and students who boarded the ferry going upstream to Guadalupe.

I took some pictures again. I'll be posting them here when I'm not too busy. :)

Sinjin P.

June 22nd, 2007, 10:12 AM

^^ saya nun!! :) :) kaso lang diba may harang yung papuntang laguna lake?(yung floodgate?)

Hindi kaya masira ang mga palaisdaan du'n kapag daanan ng mga ferry?

3D-CAD

June 25th, 2007, 04:12 AM

Totally agree...It will take discipline and conscious effort on a national level plus very stiff fines for polluters. Anyone know which/who are the main pollutants of Pasig River ?

a)Unregulated Industries
b)Squatter folks
c)Common tao living nearby

oboi

July 3rd, 2007, 02:29 PM

Taking the motorized outrigger/pumpboat across the Pasig River from Mandaluyong to Makati was a new experience. Enjoyable, not! Cheap, yes! Paid P2 to experience the "thrill" of being so close to our dear Pasig River and her stench.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/pumpboat01.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/pumpboat2.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/pasighulo01.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/pasighulo02.jpg

A juxtaposition of cheap thrills offered by the carnival and the thrills of megashopping experience, al fresco entertainment and luxurious condo living at Rockwell.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/ferrieswheel.jpg

oboi

July 3rd, 2007, 03:18 PM

Some efforts done by the local government for the revival and renewal of Pasig River.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/linearpark.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/resurrect.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/linearparkchurch.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/malinis.jpg

Recently added stations to the Pasig Ferry Route.

PUP Station
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/pupstation.jpg

and Lambingan Station
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/lambingan.jpg

These two 150-seater ferries will soon augment the current three in operation.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/ferrynew.jpg

Another one is also on the works but still off the water.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/ferrydocks.jpg

One of the three ferries plying the Escolta-PUP-Santa Ana-Lambingan-Hulo-Guadalupe Route.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/ferry02.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/ferry01.jpg

Church dome at Hospicio de San Jose.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/dedios.jpg

Escolta by the river

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/hitide.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/escolta.jpg

Post Office

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/post01.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/post02.jpg

FEATI pylon

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/feati.jpg

Filipino-Chinese World War II Martyrs Memorial

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/ww2marker01.jpg

The monolithic Manila Thermal Power Plant.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/powerplant.jpg

Steel sheet pilings are driven at the banks of Pasig River.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/piling.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/piling02.jpg

Kids frolicking in the river yet unmindful of the foul odor and garbage.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/swim.jpg

Demolition at the Padre Zamora Bridge in Santa Mesa, Manila.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/demolition.jpg

Life jackets are now placed under the seats yet it doesn't follow the standard of having one life jacket under each seat.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/seats.jpg

pau_p1

July 3rd, 2007, 03:41 PM

wow.. nice collection... I have been wanting to try the new ferries and take pictures also... but got no time.... thanks for taking shots...

jones_hamilton

July 4th, 2007, 06:27 AM

Taking the motorized outrigger/pumpboat across the Pasig River from Mandaluyong to Makati was a new experience. Enjoyable, not! Cheap, yes! Paid P2 to experience the "thrill" of being so close to our dear Pasig River and her stench.

the thrill of "naku paano kung tumaob yung barko, mamamatay ba ako sa sobrang toxic na tubig"

LOL:nuts: :bash:

jones_hamilton

July 4th, 2007, 06:28 AM

Some efforts done by the local government for the revival and renewal of Pasig River.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/resurrect.jpg

alive again? sounds like a spiritual experience

crappypants

July 4th, 2007, 07:02 AM

i hate how they have to write on the riverbanks, just so they can highlight their names. it looks like graffiti. to me.

Sinjin P.

July 4th, 2007, 12:26 PM

"Resurrecting Pasig River Alive Again" - redundant! Naresurrect na nga, alive pa, at again pa! :lol:

red_jasper

July 4th, 2007, 12:28 PM

Well, this ferry thing is a good development BUT the river really needs cleaning up...

richard24

July 4th, 2007, 04:37 PM

Recently added stations to the Pasig Ferry Route.

PUP Station
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/pupstation.jpg

thanks for the pics., :) napuntahan ko na tong station namin., kaso hindi pako nakakasakay., :cry: wala akong time eh., siguro by next month pag bukas na san joaquin station sa pasig., :) or by december/january pa, pag bukas na yung riverbanks station sa marikina., :)

kalbongdad

July 10th, 2007, 06:49 AM

yup...korek you're right...its small...although it has airconditioning....it has a computerized ticketing system...its quiet ok....was able to ride from escolta station to guadalupe...about 45 min ride and 25 pesos only you'll see malacanang palace...its worth the trip...i wish though that the river will be cleaner...

reggiedoc

July 10th, 2007, 02:53 PM

Rehabilitation, ferry service aim to revive Pasig river

By Kristine L. Alave
Inquirer
Last updated 08:20pm (Mla time) 07/10/2007

MANILA, Philippines --Little by little, the unpleasant views along the Pasig River are changing.

The Pasig River Rehabilitation Center (PPRC) along with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has identified relocation sites for about 10,000 squatters who would be removed from the river banks, which officials said, should lessen wastes and encourage more passengers to take the river ferry as an alternative route.

According to PPRC and ADB data, about 10,000 households are expected to be removed from the banks of the river at the end of the year.

Not only are the squatter settlements an eyesore and a hazard during the rainy seasons, they also contribute to the wastes dumped into the city’s major waterway, which connects Manila Bay and Laguna Lake.

Some of the evicted squatters were given a place within their own municipalities, while some are given low-cost housing in Cavite province and Kasiglahan Village I Project, in Rodriguez town, Rizal province, which was inaugurated last month.

The resettlement area in the Rizal village owned by the National Housing Authority (NHA) had received about 2,860 people evicted from Pasig River banks. Another 1,000 units are being constructed to accommodate more relocated families, the ADB said in a statement.

To realize the river's socioeconomic development potential, it is necessary to rehabilitate the river system, restore water quality, control wastewater discharges and promote urban renewal along the riverbanks, said the ADB.

Efforts to rehabilitate the river, which is heavily polluted with industrial, municipal and household waste, is also underway to encourage more people to use the waterway as an alternative transport route.

River officials said an increasing number of commuters in Metro Manila are taking the Pasig River Ferry Service, despite unpleasant views and dirty, smelly water.

Since the service opened for passengers last March, the PRRC had recorded a rising number of passengers who opt to take the ferry service instead of the land-based transportation.

Maris Briones, PPRC information and advocacy officer, said about 13,100 passengers took the ferry service last March. In its fourth month of operation, the number more than doubled. Last June, when classes resumed, 31,242 passengers took the ferry.

“The ridership is improving … We are trying to get more passengers to ride the ferry. Hopefully, it will decongest and alleviate land traffic in Metro Manila,” the PRRC official explained.

Since the ferry started in March, PRRC said it transported over 87,000 passengers, with Guadalupe and Escolta considered the busiest of the five operational stations along the waterway.

She noted that passengers opt to take the ferry because it is not crowded and comfortable. The ferry has a maximum seating capacity of 150 and at the Guadalupe station Tuesday, only a dozen people embarked. “We cannot overload. They cannot compromise the safety of the passengers,” Briones said.

The boat and the waiting rooms are clean and have air-conditioning as well as facilities for persons with disabilities. And since the ferry is enclosed, one could not smell the river water, which had turned off passengers from previous open-air boats plying the river.

Briones noted that one foreigner commented the calmness and the silence of the ride, a fresh break from the noisy hustle and bustle of the metropolis’ land transports.

Gerard Caoile, a college student in a Manila university, said he takes the ferry everyday, cutting his travel time from Comembo, Makati to Escolta by almost half.

During the “pre-ferry days,” Caoile said he used to take his motorcycle and weave through the heavy traffic via Buendia Avenue and Osmeña Highway to get to downtown Manila. The commute took him one and a half hours

Since the ferry started, Caoile said he had only to take one jeepney ride to the Guadalupe ferry station. The entire ride from Guadalupe in Makati City to Manila takes about 45 minutes, Caoile said.

The student noted that he likes to take the ferry because it is efficient and he is not at the mercy of rush-hour traffic jams.

Liezl Bascos, a ferry first-timer, said she used to take a taxi from Mandaluyong to Quiapo, where she often visits her relatives. The taxi ride, she said, costs at least P100.

She spent only P35 for the ferry ride from Hulo, Mandaluyong Station to Escolta, just a fraction of her taxi fare. Her only complaint is that the 30-minute waiting time between the ferries, she said.

At present, the river route extends from Escolta to Guadalupe, with Hulo, Lambingan, Sta. Ana, PUP stations in between. By the end of the year, Briones said they expect several more stations to be finished, with funding from both the government and ADB and assistance from local governments.

The new stations -- Caniogan, Pasig City, Sta. Elena, San Joaquin, Marcos Bridge, Napindan, Taguig, Plaza Mexico, Manila, Quezon Bridge, Riverbanks, Marikina City, and Valenzuela -- are all under construction with land donated by local government units.

Briones said the new stations would cater to residents from the eastern part of the city to Valenzuela. She noted that they expect to have as much as 46,000 passengers taking the ferry everyday once it is fully operational.

The Nautical Transport Services Corp., the private firm that operates the service currently has five boats. Another one is expected to be out of the shipyard soon. Once the service gets going, the company aims to increase the boats plying the country’s oldest highway and trading route to 10.

reggiedoc

July 23rd, 2007, 01:51 AM

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Pasig ferry company loses millions a year

By Rafael Alfredo Santos Reporter

The mere prospect of traversing the polluted Pasig River might prove enough to sink the idea of a river ferry service.

For decades, the river has been the symbol of urban misuse and neglect, its brown water and pungent odor putting off possible ferry commuters. It has become the turf of lonely tugboats, a diving spot for street urchins and children of squatters and a waste receptacle for a metropolis of millions. Ecologists consider it dead, unable to sustain life.

The commuting public’s apathy is the main reason why the river’s new ferryboat service is struggling to stay afloat. Nautical Transport Services Inc. (NTSI), the private company that runs the new river ferry, has been operating at a loss since commencing operations in March this year. Low passenger volume has forced the firm to restructure its fare system by hiking fees, in the hope that this will offset losses it has incurred for the past six months.

The minimum fare is P25 and can go up to P45 for a point-to-point trip from Escolta to Guadalupe. Nautical Transport gives 15-percent discounts to students and 20 percent, as the law requires, to senior citizens. The company recently hiked fares from the flat rate of P25 to a distance-based system.

The company services six stations: Guadalupe, Makati City, Hulo in Mandaluyong City; Escolta, near the LRT central station, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) station on the PUP campus, Lambingan and Santa Ana. The government-run Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) operates the stations, and charges a terminal fee of P5 per head, that is deducted from the ticket price.

The ferry service is divided into two shifts: 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.

NTSI operates five brand new, locally designed and built boats. The company said a sixth boat is now in the final stages of outfitting, and should join the fleet next month. It plans to build a total of 10 boats to ply the route.

The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Pasig River ferry service contract calls for the construction of 14 stations in total, which will extend the service up to the Pasig area and even into Marikina. The commission is funding the construction of the terminals from parts of a development loan from the World Bank worth $75 million.

Nice boat, clean stations :banana: ^^

The Pasig River bisects Metro Manila and stretches for 25 kilometers, connecting Manila Bay to the Laguna de Bay. The ferry services 18 kilometers of the river, with further plans calling for an expansion into the river’s main tributaries (Marikina and San Juan Rivers).

The stations boast of modern amenities, complete with digital swipe tickets and an air-conditioned waiting area. Uniformed guards usher passengers in and out of the station, and are courteous and accommodating.

The boat itself is a thing of beauty; a twin-engine catamaran design with sleek lines and a modern, angular shape, wrapped around a fully air-conditioned cabin that seats 150 people in plastic chairs spread over three rows. The seats are comfortable and spacious. Onboard entertainment is provided by a single flat-screen television and a rather booming sound system. The ferry operator has set aside a bar counter for use as a mini canteen, but so far there have been no takers. It remains a nicely sculpted piece of wood at the back of the boat. :ohno:

An armed marshal from the Presidential Security Group (PSG) is assigned to each of the of the vessels, for security reasons, and because the route passes directly in front of the Malacañang Palace, the country’s seat of government. It was actually refreshing to see a man in uniform pacing the boat, making the passengers feel safer.

Mel Pia, a regular passenger, says the ferry allows him to bypass the hassle of transferring from station to station when taking the MRT and LRT from the retail district of Divisoria to Guadalupe in Makati. As a senior citizen, the retired police officer says his body can ill afford the grind of climbing stairs and riding packed trains.

“This new ferry service is really comfortable, it’s air-conditioned, and it allows me to take a nap on my home,” he said.

He waxes sentimental when narrating a story of his childhood spent living near the banks of the Pasig. Pia muses about the days he could swim and fish in the river, and narrates the charm of taking a boat ride through the river on board paddle driven ferries in the late 40’s.

“It used to be that samperra [1 centavo] was enough for the boat fare. Now, I have a senior citizen discount card that shaves P5 pesos off the ticket price, and I still pay P40. It’s okay, I think it’s worth it,” Pia said.

Syd Samaristan, a nursing student, rates the ferry service an 8 out of 10. He says he is quite satisfied with the service, and rides the ferry twice a week. His only complaint is that the ticket price is a tad too high, even though he gets a student discount that is pegged at P29.

Another passenger, Jade Saragena likes the ferry because it is easier for him to transport cargo from Divisoria to Guadalupe, and because Nautical Transport charges no extra fee for the packages he carries with him.

Biting the bullet

Nautical Transport admits that the fare increase, from the flat rate of P25 to a distance based system that can run up to P45 from end to end, may deter passengers from the lower income brackets, a demographic the company was counting on to comprise the bulk of its patrons.

Mr. Ruel Bueser, assistant general manager for corporate affairs, discloses that high operating costs and low passenger volume forced their hand, and have somewhat eroded the ferry’s appeal to the masses.

“The low head count has really forced us to restructure our fare system,” he said. “Our losses are significant from our day-to-day operations, and we hope that these new measure will help us break even before the end of this year.”

The company has so far plunked in P150 million to bankroll its operations, P40 million of which is equity, P35 million in the form of advances from investors, and a P75 bridge loan. Each vessel has a market value of P25 million, the Nautical Transport said.

Numbers provided by the company peg the daily passenger volume at 1,300 passengers per day. The company says that in order to break even, they need at least 5,000, 3,700 people short of the current figure.

Poli M. Torres, Assistant General Manager for Operations, says the daily cost for each boat can run up to an average of P21,400 a day, or a total of P107,000 for the five vessels it currently operates. Thus, Nautical Transport’s daily average haul of P41,000 from ticket receipts means that the company incurs a deficit of P66, 000 per day.

“We lose P1.985 million a month, and since the start of operations in March, we have lost approximately P15 million. That is just from the operation of the boats alone, excluding salaries for our 80 employees,” Torres said.

Two previous ferry services

There have been two previous attempts to mount a ferry service to ply the Pasig River route, but both ventures folded after a year because of poor reception from commuters.

Magsaysay Lines served the Guadalupe-Escolta route but decided to stop after a year. In 1997 Star Craft Ferry continued the operation and served the 16.2-kilometer stretch from Bambang in Pasig to Escolta, Manila, but also pulled out after a year of operation. Among the reasons cited for the failure of the ferry service was its failure to get commuter support due to lack of promotion and proper terminals.

NTSI has vowed to change all this by implementing a more aggressive marketing plan. The company says plans are in the pipeline for a cross promotion with the Metro Rail Transit (MRT), offering educational tours for students, and a possible tie up with another operator for a shuttle service that will ferry passengers to the boat terminals. The company already has a multicab that roams the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) grounds in Sta. Mesa that takes passengers to the terminal free of charge.

The public’s reception to the new ferry service appears to be lukewarm at best. Jun Montenegro, who drives NTSI’s roaming shuttle service in PUP, says he barely has any students to take to the terminal on a daily basis.

“At best, 17 students every day,” he said.

Asked why he doesn’t take the ferry on a regular basis, PUP student and Guadalupe resident Kim Arevalo said the stations’ lack of proximity to main thoroughfares is a minus.

“They’re sometimes hard to reach, and are often far from the places I want to go,” he said.

The fate of the new river ferry is in the hands of the riding public. Here’s hoping that it can be salvaged before the Pasig claims yet another victim.:bash:

Lili

July 23rd, 2007, 05:18 AM

Yes, please patronize the Pasig River ferry system. I wish I was there to take that ride.

metrosuburban

July 23rd, 2007, 05:39 AM

^^ papano kase sasakay e di pa pala fully operational, most of the stations sarado pa... and in terms of scheduling, san ba kami tatawag o magtatanong kung ano oras ang ETA/ETD or yung first and last trip..

ang daming flaws eh, kulang talaga sa information campaign, plus the stations are so far away from business centers, like in Guadalupe, wala man lang connecting walkway between the boats and the MRT station eh, less than 50 meters lang naman yung distance nila, panu nalang pag umulan ng malakas??

i dont really know kung tatagal to...

le Reine

July 23rd, 2007, 07:01 AM

^i have the same sentiments. kasi naman itinayo malayo sa main thoroughfares. Musta naman iyon?

reggiedoc

July 24th, 2007, 02:30 AM

kalbongdad

July 24th, 2007, 05:05 AM

Mga kabayan, could you please offer your suggestions based on your current experiences with the ferry service. I am taking note of the concerns and recommendations as I draft a letter to the President. Your creative minds would be very much appreciated.

Thanks for those of you who have already done so. Your collective wisdom can make a difference. :2cents: :2cents: :hammer:

Sincerely yours,
reggie

reggie....sa experience ko...ok naman ang distribution ng stations...yung sa escolta ok...sa pup ...etc...yung guadalupe lang ang medyo may problema...malayo sa mrt...dapat may connecting walkway....they could put an elevated walkway.... like the one in landmark and greenbelt or covered pathway that cuts through the small park or...a paved pathway directly to the gaudalupe mall....from the mall malamig na...at nakalink na ito sa mrt...alisin lang ang mga lintik na iskwater dyan...at gawan ng terminal ng jeep.....kakatakot maglakad...siksikan sa dami ng jeep....nagaagawan ang jeep at tao sa makitid na daan.....makati is really decaying under binay...compare the development between the two riverbanks the guadalupe side and the mandaluyong side...the development on mandaluyong side of the river puro na mga high rise bpo bldg ng robinsons...yung kanilang cybergate...on the guadalupe side....ikwater ang @#$%$%^%$## hoy gising makati....wag puro pulitika kayo dyan...napagiiwanan na kayo...at nilalayasan na kayo ng negosyo papuntang FGC sa taguig... ...pati ayala ave....ang dumi na....ng side walk...may nagtitinda ng stamp pad....dvd..at kung ano ano pa na sa quiapo lang dati natin nakikita.....ito siguro ang paraan ni binay na pagaaruga sa mahihirap ang gawin mukhang mahirap ang lahat...kadiri ang dugyot...na ngayon ng ayala ave...

crappypants

July 24th, 2007, 06:21 AM

walang ginagawa si Binay kundi magbigay ng libreng tshirt at libreng sine, occasional 1000 peso bonus. yung squatter sa guadalupe ang tawag don, excuse me for being vulgar but it is really what they call it, "tae village" because you would really see millions of naked potbellied children and emaciating stray dogs defecating on the street. If you go to kalayaan ,baranggay cembo , nuevo, viejo nothing has changed much with the lives of the people and environs, only the shanties are triple deckers now. Binay has trained his constituents so well as welfare recipients that they forgot to better their lives on their own initiatives. if not for ayala beautifying their center then Makati would be a big dump.
and the good news is Binay is conditioning the minds of the people to welcome his successor " the youth's hope," his attorney daughter, whatever her name is.
Sorry for the rant but it's true.

TheAvenger

July 24th, 2007, 07:03 AM

crappypants

July 24th, 2007, 07:48 AM

I think you heard that from me. :lol:
nevertheless he wont win.

TheAvenger

July 24th, 2007, 10:40 AM

I think you heard that from me. :lol:
nevertheless he wont win.

:)

reggiedoc

July 24th, 2007, 07:07 PM

Kalbongdad, thanks for the feedback. At least the company, Nautical Transport is planning a tie up with the MRT, promo-wise and maybe work with another agency for the walkway.

reggiedoc

July 24th, 2007, 07:09 PM

Ferry breathes life into Pasig river
By Roderick dela Cruz

A cruise of the Pasig River in air-conditioned, 150-seater ferry boats affords a unique view of Manila and its landmarks, thanks to an Asian Development Bank-assisted program to revive the 27-kilometer waterway and make it an alternative transport route.

The Pasig River Ferry Service, run by the government’s Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission and its private partner Nautical Transport Services Corp., conveys about 1,000 passengers daily to six air-conditioned stations in the cities of Makati, Mandaluyong and Manila.

Last June, the five vessels carried a total of 31,242 passengers, up from 13,100 riders in March when regular trips began.

Marisa Briones, project development officer of the commission, said foreign tourists were among the passengers, who took delight on a fresh look of historic Manila.

“Tourism aspect is a part of the ferry service. Late last year, we brought the tourism officers of different local government units to try the ferry service, and their response has been quite positive,” she said.

“Our goal is to move tourism along the Pasig River. Only here can you get to see the facade of Malacañan Palace and other historic buildings.”

The catamaran-type boats travel the 11-kms. stretch from Guadalupe in Makati to Escolta downtown in less than an hour.

Under the program, the number of ferry points would be increased from six to 14, including one in Intramuros, where tourists could proceed to explore the centuries-old walled city.

For now, stops have been opened in Hulo in Mandaluyong, Valenzuela in Makati, Lambingan in Sta. Ana, and Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa.

“We target to carry a maximum of 46,000 passengers each day to 14 stations, once the project is completed. This will help unclog traffic congestion along major roads.”

The ferry is a part of the river-revival program, backed by a $176-million financing from the Asian Development Bank.

reggiedoc

July 24th, 2007, 07:29 PM

Inauguration of Rizal Resettlement Site for Pasig River Informal Settlers

PHILIPPINES (16 June 2007) – About 1,000 former informal settlers living along the Pasig River in Manila will be relocated to Barangay San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal as part of the government's effort to rehabilitate the Pasig River and provide them a better quality of life with formal, secure and affordable resettlement housing.

Vice President and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairman Noli L. De Castro; Department of Environment Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary and Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) Chairperson Angelo T. Reyes; Mayor Pedro Cuerpo; Federico Laxa, National Housing Authority General Manager; and Tom Crouch, Country Director, Philippine Country Office of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) led the inauguration of the model houses and groundbreaking of the 1,000 socialized housing units in Barangay San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal last Friday, June 15, 2007.

The main beneficiaries of the project are families from Punta in Sta. Ana, Manila who live along the Pasig River and are located within the Environmental Preservation Area (EPA). The EPA is a three to ten-meter easement from the river's shoreline that serves as buffer zones to prevent direct discharge of solid wastes into the river and prevent flooding in the nearby areas. The cleared areas will then be converted into walkways and greenbelts for a better view and appreciation of the river.

The P288 million project is funded through the ADB's Pasig River Environmental Management Rehabilitation Sector Development Program (PAREMAR) with PRRC as executing agency and the local government of Rodriguez, Rizal as implementing agency.

The construction of housing units including community facilities like multi-purpose hall and school buildings for students in the primary up to the tertiary level is almost fifty percent complete. Other provisions such as market, health and day care centers, and site for Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) are being fast-tracked. Completion of the project is expected towards yearend.

Each housing unit is made of concrete with an average lot size of forth (40) square meters and an average unit floor area of twenty four (24) square meters. The project also has as concrete roads with curbs and gutter, footpaths, underground drainage systems, individual septic tanks, and water and electric power supply. Cost per house and lot is P225,000.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Slowly but surely, progress is being made. Atienza would still be involved somehow as he takes the helm at the DENR. VP Noli has been working on the resettlement issue for a while now.

reggiedoc

July 24th, 2007, 07:35 PM

Shell Supports The Rehabilitation Of Pasig River
06/03/2007

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation gave support to the rehabilitation of the Pasig River by being one of the major sponsors in the Pasig River Heritage Marathon or Philippine Marathon for Pasig River on February 25, 2007.

Thousands of runners, enthusiasts, and spectators dashed their way to Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila at 4 am and finished the run at 11 am at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City. Runners Eduardo Buenavista and Jhoan Banayag dominated the 42-kilometer marathon in the male and female categories respectively. Jhoan Banayag defended her crown, being last year’s winner.

The other sprint categories were 10-km, 5-km, and the 3-km where most of the participants were children. Around 9,000 individuals registered for the marathon.

Pasig River Heritage Marathon or Philippine Marathon for Pasig River is an environmental advocacy program organized by the Clean and Green Foundation for the sustained rehabilitation of the Pasig River. The marathon is now recognized as an international event after being accredited in August 2004 by the US based Association of Athletic Federation (IAAF) and the Association of Marathons and Road Races (AIMS).

http://www.shell.com/static/ph-en/images/press_releases/2007/pasig_marathon_1.jpg

In photo are (left to right): Hon. Angelo Reyes – Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Ming Ramos – Chairperson, Clean & Green Foundation, Eduardo Buenavista – 1st place, 42-kilometer marathon in the male category, former President Fidel V. Ramos, and Mylene Santos – Shell Sustainable Development Manager.

kalbongdad

July 25th, 2007, 05:10 AM

for the information of everybody its already operational from escolta up to guadalupe makati.....yung portions na papuntang marikina ang nde ko alam when they will be included in the route....

again the fare is only 25 from escolta to guadalupe but of course it will increase once the marikina portion is opened..

the travel time is 45 min...the ferry is clean and air conditioned...your 25 pesos is worth the trip even if pasig river is filthy...cruising the river will transport you back in time...back to noli mi tangere... the 'ANG TABO' boat cruising pasig river how wonderful it would have been during those time....pasig as it is now has not lost its charm..although it definitely needs cleaning up.....its a good start in reviving the historic river....seing malacanang facade as depicted in our 20 peso bill...solve na...

reggiedoc

July 26th, 2007, 06:22 AM

Modern Living (Philippine Star)

Pasig River runs through them

CITY SENSE By Paulo Alcazaren
Saturday, July 21, 2007

This week’s column features issues on two sides (actually two ends) of an important metropolitan landmark, the Pasig River. The two stories highlight celebration at the inland end of the river and rising concerns over illegal construction that threatens another landmark, Intramuros at the mouth of the Pasig.

The Celebration

Pasig, the town at the end of the river, is known for its rich heritage and its loyal residents known for their pursuit of art, love of culture and deep-rooted tradition. Artists in the 19 th and 20 th centuries like Fernando Amorsolo and Botong Francisco regularly traveled to this picturesque town to paint riverscapes, portraits of its inhabitants, and to maintain convivial relations with the town’s artistic community.

This relationship with renowned Manila artists helped Pasig engender its own stock of creative talents, who eventually organized themselves into a society known as the Pasig Art Club. This year, the club celebrates its golden anniversary and has established itself as the prime steward of Pasigueño art, culture and tradition.

Though I was born in Cebu and grew up as a child in Quezon City, I did spend my high school and college years as a suburbanite in Baryo Kapitolyo, Pasig. I regularly visited the town to see relatives or go to the large new market (which in the 60s boasted an innovative concrete hyperbolic paraboloid roof). After college, I frequented the town because one of my partners in a design consultancy lived there, Horacio Ace Dimanlig. It was Ace who introduced me to the Pasig Art Club and the delights of the Pasig with its surrounding waterside towns.

The club regularly organizes weekend sketching, painting and photography forays to what remains of our pastoral countryside (amazingly still a lot), heritage structures in the town and its banks like the old American-era provincial capitol near C-5 and in the Pasig Art Museum. The museum is the PACs headquarters and venue for its frequent art shows and exhibits. A revivalist-style mansion fronting the town plaza, it was adaptively reused from the old Concepcion family mansion. A fascinating and welcoming venue, it is here that the club will open its 50th Anniversary art exhibit on Saturday, July 28.

The club will also celebrate with a series of lectures at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig. Speakers include Dr. Ramon Santos, former dean of the UP College of Music who will give a talk on the development of ethnic music in the Philippines from pre-historic to contemporary times, and Dr. Gerard Rey A. Lico from the faculty of the UP College of Architecture, who will give a concise appraisal of Philippine Design in the 20th century highlighting the genius of the Filipino in adapting and indigenizing his designs.

Finally, the club will launch its commemorative book Pasig Art Club: A Golden Legacy, containing the club’s story from its inception in the 1950s, biographical sketches of the club’s members past and present, and reproductions of their work in 20 full-color pages. Also in the coffee table book is a collection of essays on the Pasig and Pasigueño art and culture.

Things are looking up for Pasig. I now call it home again though I’m still at its fringes (Valle Verde). Access to C-5 and the Ortigas Central Business District makes it a good place to live. I spoke to the newly-elected Mayor Bobby Eusebio and he’s lining up a slew of projects that seek to improve the town’s urban design and parks along with all open spaces.

Concerns At The Other End Of Pasig

The Intramuros, or the walled city of Manila, is a national (and Asian) heritage site that was almost lost to the ravages of war and the post-war invasion of informal settlers. It has been slowly recovering its fabric in the ‘70s to today, hanging on desperately despite recurring threats from commercialization.

Today, another threat is emerging, actually already rising in concrete and steel — a sports complex by the storied walls of Old Manila! The monstrous encroachment is reportedly the project of Dean Barbers, Philippine Tourism Authority general manager. Costing P85 million, the complex is being built in the Club Intramuros driving range area (itself already a blight on the landscape) and very close to the walls. The project, say sources, was rammed through despite the disapproval of the PTA board. How GM Barbers was able to do this seems incomprehensible to everyone but the contractor and workers at the construction site. Even the Intramuros Administration has issued an order for the work to stop but to no avail.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano apparently also seems powerless to prevent the disaster from happening. He had reportedly sent a memo to Barbers to stop construction, reminding Barbers that the project has no approval from the PTA board.

I wish the P85 million had been spent on improving the parks and plazas of the Intramuros. The money could also go a long way to make the destination friendlier to local and foreign tourists by providing better street lighting, more security, an ikot type hop-on, hop-off shuttle inside the walls, or simply contribute to the whole areas upkeep, garbage collection and general maintenance.

The DOT, to which the PTA is supposedly attached, has to act now or take command responsibility for this madness. The metropolis is replete with sports complexes and, correct me if I’m wrong, building these facilities is not a core function of a tourism body. Otherwise, it should be renamed the DOST, the Department of Sports and Tourism and its adjunct office, the PSTA, the Philippine Sports and Tourism Authority.

Wow, only in da Pilipins!

reggiedoc

July 28th, 2007, 06:48 AM

Lim launches antipollution drive

Greening of Manila starts Aug.1

By Allison Lopez
Inquirer
Last updated 01:15am (Mla time) 07/27/2007

MANILA, Philippines – As part of his environmental program, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim will lead a massive tree-planting activity in the city on Aug. 1.

“We will plant trees all over the city, including sidewalks where there will be shade once they grow. Apart from that, the leaves will absorb carbon dioxide,” he said.

Lim added that they have received 1,000 seedlings from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the event.

Various groups like the Boy Scouts of the Philippines will join city officials in the activity.

Smoke-belching vehicles, said Lim, would also be targeted by his campaign against pollution.

Meanwhile, Winner Foundation president Regina Paterno said they would conduct their own tree-planting activities on Aug. 4 and 12 in celebration of International Arbor (Tree) Day.

“Right now we have a geodetic engineer who will check if the drainage in Arroceros Forest Park is okay. We want to make sure everything is in place before we start planting new trees,” she said.

The Pasig River walkway, which is being renovated, would also be dotted with trees by their group, said Paterno.

The environmentalist also called for water conservation because “power shortages are caused by water scarcity.”

Lim advised city residents yesterday to conserve water and electricity due to reports that drought and brownouts might occur because of shortages.

“We should limit water consumption. For example, when you wash your hands don’t take too long and don’t leave faucets running,” he said “Turn off the lights if you don’t need them,” he added.

Car wash owners, added Lim, could do their part by using buckets instead of hoses.

He said conservation measures would also reduce expenses.

The water level at Angat Dam, which supplies the commodity to Metro Manila, was reported to be 6 meters below the critical level recently.

IsaRic

July 28th, 2007, 08:41 AM

1968

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/Isaric/zgetimage.jpg

reggiedoc

July 28th, 2007, 09:12 AM

IsaRik, this is a great shot of Pasig River before it died. Thanks for sharing it. If only we can restore it back to its former glory. I still hope it can be achieved in our lifetime. :)

jgacis

July 29th, 2007, 07:42 PM

^^ I think it would be between "a" and "b"

Unregulated industries can dump pollutants by the tons. Then again, squatters live near and pollute the river 24/7.

I think the squatters need to be removed first. Not only do they tarnish the image of Manila, but they themselves pose a health-risk near the river.

Unregulated industries should also be disciplined. But that takes us to a further level of politics.....

reggiedoc

July 29th, 2007, 10:18 PM

PIA Press Release
2007/07/29

Nagging problems of 3 QC barangays brought to PGMA's attention

Manila (29 July) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assured today the three barangays of Talayan, Sto. Domingo and Sienna in Quezon City that their drainage systems and esteros shall be cleared, peace and order shall be maintained, their streets shall be lighted and informal settlers in their respective areas shall be relocated.

The President visited today the three barangays and awarded each a Certificate to Operate the "Tindahan Natin" through their officials, namely Barangay Talayan Chairman Jerry L. Ongtauco, Barangay Sto. Domingo Chairman Jose Valdez and Barangay Sienna Chairman Tomas Castor, Jr.

She also gave away 100 Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Certificates worth P5,000 each as scholarship training fund for the three barangays.

In a seven-minute video presentation held at the Talayan Multi-Purpose Hall, the three barangay chairmen relayed their concerns and problems in their respective barangays to the President.

Barangay Talayan presented flooding and overflowed drainage system as its main problems while Barangay Sienna the lack of permanent barangay hall and illegal parking in some areas of their barangay. Illegal drug activities were also mentioned as major problem along Araneta Avenue.

Barangay Sto. Domingo Chairman Valdez brought up problems like flooding, squatting, lack of barangay hall, day-care center and barangay health center.

After watching attentively the video presentation, the President instructed Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando to fasttrack the clearing of the Pasig River and the San Juan River. :bash:

Fernando vowed to clear all roads of illegal sidewalk vendors, remove the squatters along the San Juan River, clean all drainage systems and esteros and put up traffic lights in the three barangays. :okay:

National Housing Authority (NHA) Administrator Federico Laxa promised to extend help for the resettlement of informal settlers/illegal squatters in Calamba Extension in Barangay Talayan consisting of 400 families and Maria Clara with 400 families, along with another 195 families in Barangay Sto. Domingo.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director-General Dionisio Santiago promised quick action against illegal drug activities, particularly in Araneta Avenue.

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte and Quezon City 1st District Rep. Vincent Crisologo both vowed to extend full cooperation and coordination with the MMDA, NHA and PDEA in resolving the issues and concerns raised by the three barangays.

Belmonte instructed the chairman of barangays without hall to coordinate with his office for them to search for some government lands as possible sites for the construction of barangay halls. (OPS) [top]

tigidig14

July 30th, 2007, 02:25 AM

diz

July 30th, 2007, 05:02 AM

The man's awesome.

normandb

July 30th, 2007, 09:31 PM

lim, youre the MAN!

yong mga epektos natin sa sampaloc ipadispacha mo na at baka ma-sprayan yong hideout natin mahirap na :lol:

jbkayaker12

July 31st, 2007, 04:17 AM

I have a relative living in Besang Pass, Talayan Village. Its an old money neighbourhood and yes there is a creek behind my aunts house. I am curious how this affluent neighbourhood has turned out now. It has been a while since I've seen the place.

bustero

July 31st, 2007, 06:05 AM

Puede iyan kung sa Pittsburgh the water was so dirty the river caught fire, dito maayos rin iyan. The Pasig is actually much much cleaner now than a decade ago. The Clean and Green foundation started by Ming Ramos and subsequent government initiatives have done wonders (e.g. parks now line several kilometers of the embankment) and unregulated dumping of factory effluent has stopped. While malayo pa sa ibang rivers the oxygen level is actually back! haha, for a while there the O in H2O was so low di na nadetect. Anyway the photo is actully two things. The cleanliness of the river (as in would you eat the 6 eyed fish one catches with a club after it crawled out of the river onto the embankment) and the view, medyo matagal pa tayo doon kung iyung view at 3rd world pa rin iyan for most part.

reggiedoc

August 4th, 2007, 08:32 PM

Atienza vows to manage RP resources well

Manila Bulletin, Philippines - Aug 1, 2007

This includes... cleaning up of esteros or sewerage system to give way for the Pasig River rehabilitation, and the continuation of the P20-million "Trees for Life" project.:banana:

Sinjin P.

August 6th, 2007, 06:08 AM

Sinjin P.

August 6th, 2007, 10:04 AM

And we thought the Pasig River was dirty enough:

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/06_01/pollriver0506_600x875.jpg

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/06_01/plasticrubbish3R_468x319.jpg

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/06_01/plasticrubbish2R_468x317.jpg

oboi

August 6th, 2007, 12:30 PM

^^Where is this, Master Sinjin? It's so sad how our rivers have become. :ohno:

Can you give the place or name of the river? I don't want others to think it's also part of Pasig River. :)

richard24

August 6th, 2007, 01:07 PM

thats in jakarta., i saw that in someones blog., i forgot the name.,

edit: its the Citarum River in Jakarta., and is regarded daw as the world's most polluted river., (?)

Sinjin P.

August 6th, 2007, 01:41 PM

^ Yes, you're right Richard

@Oboi: Puhlease, 'wag na master :D

le Reine

August 6th, 2007, 02:35 PM

Oh my goodness. No wonder since Jakarta is the most populous city in SEA. And also one of the densest too. Oh gosh...

normandb

August 6th, 2007, 10:44 PM

shopping galore.

tigidig14

August 7th, 2007, 02:50 AM

walang pinagkaiba ang indonesian at pnas, talga
kita ko rin yung pics sa jakarta yung riles ng tren nila, madaming squatter

dancethingy

August 7th, 2007, 06:09 AM

^^^^ How sad, the plight of the poor around the world. the least we could do is pray for them

portludlow

August 9th, 2007, 05:54 AM

Govt tries to revive Pasig River
Agence France Presse
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=87719
In Spanish colonial times, the Pasig River that snakes through Manila was the linchpin of the transport and commerce network in the Philippines.

But in the aftermath of World War II, rapid population growth, urbanisation and industrial activity slowly destroyed it. Today, when the capital's 12 million residents flush their toilets, the waste water ends up in the river.

Former leader Joseph Estrada, looking across the Pasig from the majestic 18th-century presidential palace on its banks, once called it "the country's largest septic tank.” In some spots, the dark water looks like porridge.

Frustrated with the horrifying state of the 27-kilometer (17-mile) river, Estrada ordered a 15-year project to clean it up by 2014 -- and hopefully see fish return to its now filthy waters.

Backed by $176.8 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the project entails the redevelopment of riverside slums, relocation of tens of thousands of squatters and the launch of a passenger ferry.

At the halfway mark, government officials and ADB experts say progress has been made, but much more needs to be done if the Pasig is to regain its former splendor.

"The pollution level has improved since 1990," insists Zoilo Andin, deputy director of a public-private river rehabilitation commission and a senior official at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The volume of waste water is indeed down by six percentage points from 17 years ago, he notes. But downstream from the presidential palace, men naked from the waist down can still be seen relieving themselves by the water's edge.

Andin says the government is well aware of the uphill battle it faces, noting: "President Gloria Arroyo is the number one customer of the filth and smell of the Pasig. She lives there."

Cleaners fish out some 200 tons of solid waste every day though the actual amount dumped daily could be nearer to 1,000 tons, the official says.

With just 10 percent of Manila covered by a sewerage system, an ADB study estimates that the river basin is vulnerable to leaching from 1.1 million household septic tanks.

In addition, half a million squatters live on the banks of the Pasig, according to the ADB survey, producing most of the municipal waste that flows into it.

More than 6,000 families have been moved to affordable housing projects, and the slums have been replaced by parks and greenery, but ADB sanitation specialist Paul van Klaveren says that is insufficient.

"Does the project reduce pollution to the river? Not really because although you are pushing people away from the river bank, pollution still goes into the Pasig," said Van Klaveren, who is checking whether the ADB money is well spent.

A ride on the new ferry launched in February, which links Manila's Makati financial district to the old walled city of Intramuros, reveals the problems facing those trying to save the Pasig.

Both river banks are lined with oil depots, construction sites and huge slums. Garbage floats in the murky waters, storm drains flow directly into the river and rusting half-submerged barges block the boat's path.

The ferry crew includes a diver who often goes down with a pruning hook to unclog debris -- ropes, mosquito nets, even mattresses -- from the propellers.

Not surprisingly, most of the 150 seats aboard the air-conditioned catamaran are empty.

"We are using the ferry boat as a platform for advocacy," Andin says simply.

While many of the factories on the banks of the Pasig have migrated elsewhere, high-rise housing complexes have taken their place, most without liquid waste treatment facilities.

The government estimates 65 percent of the pollution comes from domestic waste, with the rest industrial or floating debris.

The World Bank is funding a related project to build sewage treatment plants and employ mobile septic pumping trucks, but these handle only a small amount of the waste water that ends up in the river.

Andin admits restoring the water quality in the river remains somewhat of a pipe dream given current resources, as the project "does not attack the sources -- the tributaries and the open sewers."

But he says despite the shortcomings of the initiative, work must be done on the Pasig "to establish the credibility of the government and the project itself."

For Van Klaveren, "enforcement of the law is the more critical issue" in Manila.

He says China is "doing much better" with a similar project to clean up the Yangtze River, adding: "The same thing could happen in Manila but there should be a willingness to do that."

What a mess we put ourselves. No amount of money will revive the Pasig if we continue polluting it. :ohno: :bash:

kalbongdad

August 9th, 2007, 06:57 AM

lim, youre the MAN!

hopefully.... lim's advocacy will turn out ok....coz if not...baka nde lang mga basura...lulutang sa pasig river...baka madalas...mga tao na...lam mo naman yan si dirty harry....

kalbongdad

August 9th, 2007, 07:03 AM

Some photos of the Pasig River by bullish1974 (http://flickr.com/photos/bullish1974/)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1052/1007267865_7224a5cf5b_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1209/998060548_f9f5761c8e_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1204/976158606_41e781779d_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1054/963839335_fe9e02e136_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1142/952375265_6b2c737a88_b.jpg

hey man....have you noticed the contrast between the two banks of the river....your pics is showing...the mandaluyong part....you should have taken pics...on the guadalupe, makati city part....see the difference... what ever happened to makati.....is it a poor city now?...its residents...and houses looks like they're all living in squatter's area....cebmo this pembo that...and...rembo ... is that the name of a movie by stallone?....

Animo

August 9th, 2007, 07:04 PM

hey man....have you noticed the contrast between the two banks of the river....your pics is showing...the mandaluyong part....you should have taken pics...on the guadalupe, makati city part....see the difference... what ever happened to makati.....is it a poor city now?...its residents...and houses looks like they're all living in squatter's area....cebmo this pembo that...and...rembo ... is that the name of a movie by stallone?....

^^ The Makati mayor is busy doing other things than attending to his city. :bash:

3cr

August 10th, 2007, 05:27 AM

Strong initiative needed to clean up Pasig River
By Cecil Morella Agence France-Presse
Manila Times
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/aug/10/yehey/top_stories/20070810top6.html

In Spanish colonial times, the Pasig River that snakes through Metro Manila was the lynchpin of the transport and commerce network in the Philippines.

But in the aftermath of World War II, rapid population growth, urbanization and industrial activity slowly destroyed it. Today, when the metropolis’s 12 million residents flush their toilets, the wastewater ends up in the river.

Former President Joseph Estrada, looking across the Pasig from the majestic 18th-century Malacañang palace on its banks, once called it “the country’s largest septic tank.” In some spots, the dark water looks like porridge.

Frustrated with the horrifying state of the 27-kilometer river, Estrada ordered a 15-year project to clean it up by 2014—and hopefully see fish return to its now filthy waters.

Backed by $176.8 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the project entails the redevelopment of riverside slums, relocation of tens of thousands of squatters and the launch of a passenger ferry.

At the halfway mark, government officials and ADB experts say progress has been made, but much more needs to be done if the Pasig is to regain its former splendor.

“The pollution level has improved since 1990,” insists Zoilo Andin, deputy director of a public-private river rehabilitation commission and a senior official at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The volume of wastewater is indeed down by six percentage points from 17 years ago, he notes. But downstream from Malacañang, men naked from the waist down can still be seen relieving themselves by the water’s edge.

Andin says the government is well aware of the uphill battle it faces, noting: “President Arroyo is the number one customer of the filth and smell of the Pasig. She lives there.”

Cleaners fish out some 200 tons of solid waste every day though the actual amount dumped daily could be nearer to 1,000 tons, the official says.

With just 10 percent of Manila covered by a sewerage system, an ADB study estimates that the river basin is vulnerable to leaching from 1.1 million household septic tanks.

In addition, half a million squatters live on the banks of the Pasig, according to the ADB survey, producing most of the municipal waste that flows into it.

More than 6,000 families have been moved to affordable housing projects, and the slums have been replaced by parks and greenery, but ADB sanitation specialist Paul van Klaveren says that is insufficient.

“Does the project reduce pollution to the river? Not really because although you are pushing people away from the river bank, pollution still goes into the Pasig,” said Van Klaveren, who is checking whether the ADB money is well spent.

A ride on the new ferry launched in February, which links Makati City to Intramuros, reveals the problems facing those trying to save the Pasig.

Both river banks are lined with oil depots, construction sites and huge slums. Garbage floats in the murky waters, storm drains flow directly into the river and rusting half-submerged barges block the boat’s path.

The ferry crew includes a diver who often goes down with a pruning hook to unclog debris—ropes, mosquito nets, even mattresses—from the propellers.

Not surprisingly, most of the 150 seats aboard the air-conditioned catamaran are empty.

“We are using the ferry boat as a platform for advocacy,” Andin says simply.

While many of the factories on the banks of the Pasig have migrated elsewhere, high-rise housing complexes have taken their place, most without liquid waste treatment facilities.

The government estimates 65 percent of the pollution comes from domestic waste, with the rest industrial or floating debris.

The World Bank is funding a related project to build sewage treatment plants and employ mobile septic pumping trucks, but these handle only a small amount of the wastewater that ends up in the river.

Andin admits restoring the water quality in the river remains somewhat of a pipe dream given current resources, as the project “does not attack the sources—the tributaries and the open sewers.”

But he says despite the shortcomings of the initiative, work must be done on the Pasig “to establish the credibility of the government and the project itself.” For Van Klaveren, “enforcement of the law is the more critical issue” in Manila.

He says China is “doing much better” with a similar project to clean up the Yangtze River, adding: “The same thing could happen in Manila but there should be a willingness to do that.”

reggiedoc

August 13th, 2007, 05:59 AM

Arroceros regaining its green patches--environmentalists

By Allison Lopez
Inquirer
Last updated 01:32am (Mla time) 08/13/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- Around 200 seedlings have been planted by environmental groups and volunteers at the Arroceros Forest Park in only a little over a month it was reopened to the public.

Even Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim took part in the tree-planting on Sunday as he donated 20 camachile seedlings, with a promise to add fire trees, for the park's rehabilitation.

The tree-planting was a joint activity of Winner Foundation led by its president Regina Paterno, and members of the Rotary Club of Manila Metro under District 3810.

But now that the park has been given back to them, Paterno said groups like Hands-On Manila and the Rotary Club have been helping in cleaning and rehabilitating the 2.2-hectare area.

About 50 Manila Metro Rotary members and volunteers gave 50 mahogany seedlings, which they placed in the empty spaces previously occupied by trees.

Alex Huang, Rotary International district 3810 governor, said they also planned to green the park's walkway beside the Pasig River.

"We will also use the river's pump in watering the trees, but if the need arises we will send our fire truck especially now that rainfall is short," he said.

IsaRic

August 13th, 2007, 07:38 AM

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/Isaric/zgazetimage.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/Isaric/zzzzgetimage.jpg
1960's

thomasian

August 14th, 2007, 08:06 AM

kalbongdad

August 14th, 2007, 09:08 AM

the place must be good....for people to be talking about it...i have seen it from the bridge and from the lrt central station by i have not been able to actually enter the park....

Bosnyboy

August 14th, 2007, 02:47 PM

reggiedoc

August 14th, 2007, 03:16 PM

I have not been there but I would love to spend an early morning quiet time in its midst next time I visit Manila, God willing. We need more of these places for respite. Can't beat their health value.:)

reggiedoc

August 14th, 2007, 03:23 PM

These old photos of the Pasig River actually remind me of the Chicago River, the first picture especially where historical buildings abound in the background. During that visit I was daydreaming that the Pasig River would someday regain its old glory. Thanks for sharing.

FrancisXavier

August 14th, 2007, 03:26 PM

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/Isaric/zgazetimage.jpg
1960's

i miss this kind of billboards.. we used to have alot of them in CDO in 90's.. How can i forget the moving Pidodido of sprite.. ? Hay, those were the days..

OtAkAw

August 14th, 2007, 06:58 PM

^^Oo nga! The Pidodido from Sprite! Bigla ko naalala sa pagbasa ng post mo. I used to look forward to a Pidodido billboard whenever we visited Manila when I was younger.

IsaRic

August 14th, 2007, 09:00 PM

those billboars has less chance being blown off by storms... how bout holographics billboards in the future? hehe that be perfect!

OtAkAw

August 15th, 2007, 07:01 PM

^^Perfect talaga! But isn't that, um, a bit... expensive?

kalbongdad

August 16th, 2007, 03:30 AM

Been there a couple of times during sundays. Very near Lrt central stration n SM Mla. I always see cars park inside with kids playing and several artists painting sceneries. Once i saw them conducting painting lessons with some art students. Parang europe ang dating.

really...mapuntahan nga...that is one place...that is not known to a lot of people....it is actually accessible through lrt 1 central station....

NOVO ECIJANO

August 16th, 2007, 12:46 PM

^^Oo nga! The Pidodido from Sprite! Bigla ko naalala sa pagbasa ng post mo. I used to look forward to a Pidodido billboard whenever we visited Manila when I was younger.

pido dido is from 7-up

reggiedoc

August 16th, 2007, 06:14 PM

Tourism to revive Walled City
By Roderick T. dela Cruz (Manila Standard)

The year-round activities that made Intramuros abuzz with life are returning. :okay:

In a statement, the Department of Tourism indicated that the Walled City’s revival has taken the cue from Senator Richard Gordon, who had observed that his WOW! Philippines program was not being sustained. :ohno:

As former tourism secretary, Gordon introduced cultural performances and regional festivals and exhibits in Intramuros which was built on 160 acres of land along the Pasig River.

The revitalized campaign set to kick off in the fourth quarter will show the various facets of Intramuros—from history to culture, as well as trade crafts during the glory days of the fortress.

When finalized, the concept will be marketed and promoted among stakeholders of the tourism industry, it added.

Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano said Intramuros would be positioned as a one-stop destination, offering an experience of what life was like during the Spanish era.

Filipino products and souvenir items would be available for sale to visitors.

“Intramuros is an ideal and natural setting to highlight the country’s history and culture during the colonial period. We want to create a substantial and more comprehensive offering for local and foreign tourists, giving them an experience beyond the usual,” Durano said.

“We will preserve Intramuros’ historical integrity, restoring identified areas while enhancing the overall appreciation of guests who visit Intramuros any time and day of the week.”

The project, he said, would line up walking tours, day trips, pocket and staged cultural performances at certain times of the day, culinary shops, craft and antique boutiques, among other highlights.

“Anything we do, whether planning, development and promotion will always consider the preservation and protection of Intramuros as a national landmark and the country’s pride,” Durano said.

The revival dovetails into the Pasig River ferry system which has planned to open a terminal at Intramuros, expanding its accessibility as a cultural destination.:banana:

kalbongdad

August 17th, 2007, 04:04 AM

kingcreole

August 21st, 2007, 01:47 AM

I think it should start with the government - stop all the corruptions from top to bottom - enforce the laws and the people will follow. Or maybe this is just like offering to give the moon & stars to someone to win her heart. Or like it's impossible to ask a baby not to cry or keep the ocean from rushing to the shore as in a song "It's Impossible"...hehehe

donestacio

August 22nd, 2007, 04:19 AM

The Pasig river has become the largest "septic tank" of the philippines.
For many theoretical reasons of course. But for obvious ones, the goverment is conducting a relocation program for the informal settlers in the area.

Now to the question, Is there a way to clean it up? Yes with enough funding and like what most of people here said "discipline", may it be in character or financially(no corruption) as we say, that river can be fixed.

But if you ask me whats the point of cleaning up something if it is to return to its vicious state again. So I think the creation and enforcement or a "Prevention Program" should be affixed to these regions.

stlito

August 22nd, 2007, 04:54 AM

Just think of what we see floating on top of the river. I can't even imagine what's at the bottom of the river. It'll take decades of clean up. It sounds almost impossible.

Rene Ybardolaza

August 22nd, 2007, 05:45 AM

I see the word "discipline" mentioned here a number of times. Could we be giving our fellow kababayans too much credit?

Whenever I take my motorcycle up Los Angeles Crest highway, the urge to ride fast tugs at my throttle hand as the curves unfold in front of me. Like a swift kick in the you-know-what, that urge is quickly dampened when I see a black and white sedan of the California Highway Patrol parked on the side of the curve and the LEO sitting in it with a radar gun pointing at my direction.

What we need to instill discipline is ENFORCEMENT of laws that protects the river.

overtureph

August 22nd, 2007, 08:24 AM

Business
Billions in taxes lost in oil smuggling
DEMAND AND SUPPLY By Boo Chanco
Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Ate Glue, Gary Teves and the Customs people have to redeem themselves from that “hot car carnage” episode. It was a PR gimmick that didn’t deliver. Probably it was because they hyped it too much without proper prior study. I heard Gary trying hard to explain later on to Korina and Ted on DZMM that the really hot cars they earlier mentioned couldn’t be touched due to legal technicalities. Korina was not happy with Gary’s explanation.

The “carnage” didn’t deliver the pogi points expected because it also went against the grain of common sense from common folks. Every other guy you meet on the street would say the cars were “sayang” and should have been sold in auction instead to raise money for the poor or for other government projects.

People disregard the fact that selling those cars in auction had been part of the modus operandi of the car smugglers for years. The same smugglers who imported the cars, or their proxies, would bid for them and save on taxes because they somehow manage to fix the bids at much lower levels than taxes and penalties.

Then there are those who say that by ordering the destruction of the cars, Ate Glue may have delivered a message to smaller smuggling syndicates but she created a smuggling monopoly under the protection of someone really powerful that no Customs official would dare cross. That may or may not be true but it sounds credible to the common tao given the public’s low confidence level on this administration’s ability to do the right thing.

The PR disaster over the “carnage” was compounded by the scandal surrounding the DOF junking of a ruling made by dismissed BIR Chief Jojo Buñag on the increased specific tax that should be levied on each pack of Pall Mall cigarettes. Government stands to lose close to P100 million because DOF reversed Jojo’s ruling that was perfectly legal based on the new sin tax law. And to think… Jojo was fired because he was not collecting enough.

The credibility of this administration’s tax collection effort will again be severely tested by the seriousness of their efforts to stop the scandalous rampant smuggling of petroleum products. Smuggled oil products now account for about 20 percent of petroleum products being sold in the market. Diesel and Dual Purpose Kerosene account for most of those. About P10 billion is lost in tax revenues per year for every 10 percent of the market demand that is supplied by smugglers… so P20 billion a year is lost.

The oil companies have been complaining about this problem for quite a while now. They find it strange that while the economy has been growing five to six percent every year for the last three years, reported oil and petroleum product imports have been declining on an average about seven percent per year from 2005 to year to date 2007. Even if economic growth is spurred by services and agriculture which are low in energy intensity, one would expect some growth. Even if we take into account the shift to natural gas and coal for the power sector, the worse case scenario is flat growth.

There must be pretty politically influential people behind the smuggling of petroleum products for it to flourish at a time when Gary Teves is nervously scrounging for revenue sources to meet fiscal targets. The smugglers also provide unfair competition to the oil companies that pay the proper taxes.

I have asked my former colleagues in the oil industry and they enlightened me on how smuggling is done these days. One way is to under declare volume or value or both. Main savings is on 12-percent VAT plus the three-percent duty. Diesel is now zero specific tax. For dual purpose kerosene (DPK), they declare the shipment as kerosene but actually sell as Jet A1 used by aviation. There is a big difference in specific tax.

Smuggling is most rampant in Subic. For imports into Subic, they ship it out as if it is re-exported so that no duties and taxes are paid. By ship, it is either declared as export to another country or as bunkering to an international vessel. By land, it is declared as intended for a locator in a special economic zone which is treated as export. Subic supposedly accounts for about 30 to 40 percent of smuggled products. Other suspected smuggling points include a Bataan import facility and a depot in Bicol.

In fairness to DOF, they have recently started to implement some of the recommendations of the Petroleum Institute of the Philippines to control oil smuggling. For instance they are now putting marker dyes for kerosene imports (therefore cannot be used as Jet fuel), marker dyes for diesel re-exported out of Subic (prima facie evidence if detected in locally sold diesel). They have also started to reconcile PEZA fuels receipts versus issuances from Subic as smugglers are using fake delivery orders to genuine locators.

The Petroleum Institute also expressed support for recommendations of the Presidential Anti Smuggling Group (PASG) now awaiting approval by Ate Glue to include pre shipment inspection to determine quantity, price and quality. I guess the next move is Malacañang’s.

Oil smuggling is not as visible as the smuggling of flashy luxury cars. But the revenue leakage is far greater. If Gary Teves means business, he would spend more time and energy working on this one.

Privatize Pasig river

It seems that when citizens get tired of government inaction or consistent failure, they think of privatization. I am not sure if it is the silver bullet for our woes, but then again, what’s our choice? Here’s a letter from a reader who wants to privatize the Pasig River to save it.

Dear Boo, my name is Johnny Valdes and I have enjoyed reading your column even in the past when I used to live in New York right after graduating in Manila. My condo in New York was right next to the water which I understood was the reason why my rent was slightly higher than others inland.

As explained, living by the river banks entailed a certain responsibility to the rest of the community, by the developers and those who have chosen to build by the water. Sanitation systems in the building plus a special tax paid to the city was levied to the different residents in exchange for the privilege. And we all understood why this was so.

Last week, I had a chance to ride the Pasig river ferry and wondered if such a system could be applied here. River bank residents could be made to understand why there are extra responsibilities when living next to the water that affects other communities, and why costs are higher as well. Those who find this unaffordable can sell their properties to developers who are willing to accept these new rules.

Government can initiate reform thru legislation and the Pasig river could be privatized similar to what was done in NLEX, SLEX etc. Users of the river will be charged a fee, sanitation violators can be tied into their business license renewal, endless sources of income to would be investors that are willing to rehabilitate and maintain Pasig river better than what is being done now.

I suggest priority for privatization be given to private real estate developers with a proven track record, like Ayala, Metro Pacific etc. it can be done by sections, and income from these developers can fund maintenance forever once and for all. Developers will keep the river clean to protect their real estate investment. And tourists and residents like myself can enjoy the Pasig river, the way other countries enjoy their waterways.

Ethical dilemma

Here’s something from Chito Santos.

A lawyer of a prominent law firm charged a man 10,000 for legal services. The man paid him in cash with crisp new 1,000 bills. After the client left, the lawyer discovered that two bills had stuck together — he’d been overpaid by 1,000.

The ethical dilemma for the lawyer:

Should he tell his partner?

Boo Chanco’s e-mail address is bchanco@gmail.com

http://philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=49&type=2&sec=27&aid=2007082198

Lili

August 22nd, 2007, 09:24 AM

^ I'd rather answer the ethical dilemma. I'll return the overpaid money to the man. I don't have to tell my partner lest he/she might ask me to compromise my judgment. I think this is the more ethical thing to do. But this is off-topic.

Now on that suggested "privatization" scheme on the Pasig River. In the first place, there are so many urban settlers living adjacent the river. So, they have to be bought out first or relocated by these real estate developers to build their projects there. Now, while the river is polluted, who will be willing to buy these properties with additional costs? Additionally, they have to look into the nature of the additional fees or costs to the riparian dwellers/users. Is this in the nature of a special assessment or tax? If so, then they have to pass muster certain constitutional tests that the taxes are fairly apportioned and not discriminatory. It is not a bad suggestion though.

Moreover, that use tax or special assessment should have been levied against those industrial plants that dot the Pasig River that were largely responsible for its pollution over the years. Penalizing and fining them for not maintaining effective water treatment plants were not effective since they have always finagled their way to lifting of the suspension order and just operating the water treatment plants sporadically when an audit was in order.

The writer though hit on an important point in being pro-active in the revitalization efforts in the Pasig River rather than being reactive.

Lili

August 22nd, 2007, 11:00 AM

I think this should be merged with the Pasig River thread. The topic now is apropos.

IndioBravo

August 22nd, 2007, 09:10 PM

http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/8159/amsterdamapr06098lx1.jpg

Yes of course Pasig can be clean again.Remember, Thames was as dirty as Pasig and within 20 years they were able to clean it.If there is the desire for everyone to help, it can be done.For our children's sake.

Imagine filipino families traveling like this in a clean Pasig river and esteros.We've started our Pasig ferries already so it can be done.

kiretoce

August 22nd, 2007, 09:29 PM

I think this should be merged with the Pasig River thread. The topic now is apropos.

Threads merged. :okay:

Lili

August 22nd, 2007, 09:34 PM

^ Thank you Kimber. :)

jbkayaker12

August 22nd, 2007, 09:52 PM

The judicial system is weak and corrupt in the Philippines which makes it difficult for anything and everything to show progress in the country. Political personalities and the pvt sector goes unpunished for their wrongdoings.

kiretoce

August 23rd, 2007, 01:33 AM

Thank you Kimber. :)

:master: At your service my liege. :colgate:

[dx]

August 24th, 2007, 11:50 AM

Looks clean..:sly:
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/3702/3941021vr0.jpg
Photo by rvicencio (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/3941021)

jbkayaker12

August 24th, 2007, 10:25 PM

^^^^^^^^ I was born in the morning but not this morning.:) I guess to some people BLACK river water is clean.

kiretoce

August 25th, 2007, 01:56 AM

[dx]

August 25th, 2007, 04:28 AM

^^ What river on this planet that flows through an urban center and still retain its crystal clear waters these days? I don't mind the color moreso than what can be found floating on the surface of it.

True.

^^^^^^^^ I was born in the morning but not this morning.:) I guess to some people BLACK river water is clean.

^lol

jbkayaker12

August 25th, 2007, 10:03 AM

^^ What river on this planet that flows through an urban center and still retain its crystal clear waters these days? I don't mind the color moreso than what can be found floating on the surface of it.

If that is your premise then the Pasig River is not clean and definitely does not look clean.:)

IsaRic

August 25th, 2007, 11:47 PM

^^ What river on this planet that flows through an urban center and still retain its crystal clear waters these days? I don't mind the color moreso than what can be found floating on the surface of it.

mmmmm... chicago river is clean... but its not crystal clear. i mean, doesnt the color depends on what is on the river bed?

jbkayaker12

August 26th, 2007, 10:27 PM

mmmmm... chicago river is clean... but its not crystal clear. i mean, doesnt the color depends on what is on the river bed?

For a river to be truly clean, crystal clear water is not the only factor but it must also support and sustain life as in marine life. The river in Chicago is in better shape now than it was before but I doubt it is truly clean. City officials from Manila even visited Chicago a few years back to get information on how the city of Chicago was able to improve the situation on their waterways so that they may be able to apply it to the Pasig River.

lochinvar

August 27th, 2007, 03:44 AM

I remember sometime back a guy tried to commit suicide and jump into the Chicago river. Upon landing into the water, he had a change of mind and struggled to survive. He was saved and his comment was "The river looks clean but deep down, it is so filthy dirty."

IsaRic

August 27th, 2007, 03:58 AM

3cr

August 27th, 2007, 08:37 AM

Why can't they do the same thing with Pasig River?

Las Piñas wins int’l award
Manila Bulletin
http://www.mb.com.ph/MTNN20070827101354.html

The Las Piñas-Zapote river rehabilitation program is now recognized internationally after bagging the most coveted Dubai International Award for ‘Best Practices of 2006.’

The Dubai International Award honored the Las Piñas-Zapote River System Rehabilitation Program for its outstanding contribution towards improving the living environment.

This developed as the Las Piñas City government headed by Mayor Vergel "Nene" Aguilar keeps up with the information age and the Internet revolution by unveiling recently a much-improved and interactive website accessible at http://laspiñascity.gov.ph.

The award-winning program was launched in December 13, 2002 by Senate President Manny Villar and Congresswoman Cynthia Villar through the Sagip-Ilog Project. It aims to rehabilitate the city’s heavily-silted and biologically dead 56 kilometer stretch of river tributaries. It also aims to educate the people on proper garbage disposal to reduce the flooding due to heavily-silted rivers and clogged drainage system.

"We started the dream to clean-up our river system. We wanted to rehabilitate the rivers and waterways for flood control and avoid soil erosion along the riverbanks. We also wanted to empower women and the youth in river management through a series of clean up drives. We implemented that dream and we are succeeding. We are deeply honored because in such a short time, our efforts are being recognized by international organizations," Rep. Villar said.

The Dubai International Award for Best Practices (DIABP) plays a crucial role in the identification of Best Practices from around the world. To date, over 2,700 Good and Best Practices in various categories such as environmental management, infrastructure, communication and transportation have been obtained from 140 countries and compiled in the Habitat Best Practices Database.

The Las Piñas-Zapote River Rehabilitation Program bested 650 best practice submissions gathered by the Dubai International Award Technical Advisory Committee.

"We received 650 submissions from around the globe but your initiative was singled out as Best Practice for 2006," Obaid Salem Al Shamsi, DIABP’s board of trustee member, stressed.

On top of the regular dredging and daily collection of floating garbage, the 5 kilometer riverbank was planted with bamboos, mangroves, and ornamental plants. A bambusetum or bamboo museum were developed along the riverbank through the efforts of the Villars, DENR, Gawad Kalinga, SIP volunteers, LGU officials and Sagip Ilog volunteers.

Mayor Aguilar said the website is a valuable reference tool for researchers, students and other people wanting to know more about Las Piñas, one of the most multi-awarded, progressive cities in Metro Manila. The information portal also provides an alternative way by which residents and constituents of the city can communicate with incumbent and duly-appointed officials on certain concerns in their locality that need to be addressed immediately.

Residents can do so by using the ‘Contact’ or e-mail form in the website which the Mayor and the City Information Office accesses, and responds to, on a regular basis.

"Las Piñas City, under my leadership, will always look for efficient, creative means to improve the delivery of services to the people and communicate effectively with them and the outside world. The website is an excellent way of doing so because studies show that most people today get their information from the I nternet and other electronic media," Mayor Aguilar said.

[dx]

August 27th, 2007, 09:15 AM

Who said BLACK water is clean, anyway? lol. 'Looks clean' is of course different from clean. :lol:

chocolato1000

August 27th, 2007, 09:31 AM

jbkayaker12

August 27th, 2007, 09:45 AM

Who said BLACK water is clean, anyway? lol. 'Looks clean' is of course different from clean. :lol:

You are now just realising we're on the same page!:)

Insanedriver

August 27th, 2007, 08:57 PM

^^ What river on this planet that flows through an urban center and still retain its crystal clear waters these days? I don't mind the color moreso than what can be found floating on the surface of it.

i saw a river (yea, i think it was a river) in doha that is so blue... i mean aqua blue.
but anyways, not actually inside the urban center:P

kalbongdad

August 28th, 2007, 04:01 AM

i saw a river (yea, i think it was a river) in doha that is so blue... i mean aqua blue.
but anyways, not actually inside the urban center:P

i don't think they have a river...its a land locked country in a desert...what you saw perhaps is the sea....anyways....yung pasig nag improve na rin naman...when you rehabilitate something that was abused for decades it will also take decades to undo the abuses made ...during my time as a student in feati u....brackish ang water at mabaho....at least ngaun...brownish na and the smell is not that offensive anymore although marami pa rin nagtatapon ng basura.....sarap ilublob ang mga yun sa ilog...

Insanedriver

August 28th, 2007, 08:41 PM

^^ but it definitely looked like a river... (on a mainroad going to Ritz Carlton hotel and aladdin's kingdom...lol)
i dunno, maybe an artificial river... no?

reggiedoc

August 30th, 2007, 10:28 PM

DoT eyes revival of Intramuros watering holes

By Jerome Aning
Inquirer
Last updated 08:49pm (Mla time) 08/30/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- More tourists are expected to visit Intramuros, one of Manila’s enduring attractions, following the closure of entertainment establishments along the city’s Baywalk promenade area.

Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano said he would work closely with Mayor Alfredo Lim in developing Intramuros, site of historic landmarks as Fort Santiago and San Agustin Church, as an alternative destination.

Durano said he respected Lim’s decision closing restaurants and bars lining the Roxas Boulevard strip because of peace and order concerns.

“Clearly, Mayor Lim has his own reasons for closing them, and his predecessor, Mayor Lito Atienza, had his reasons in putting them up as well. Every leader has his own vision and priorities,” Durano told reporters.

The tourism secretary described the public reaction to the closure of the Baywalk shops as “generational. The seniors are glad because there’s no more traffic while the younger ones say they are sad because they had nowhere to go now.”

Durano said other entertainment sites in Malate and Ermita districts were seeing the return of patrons who used to frequent Baywalk.

“We appreciate Mayor Lim’s drive for peace and order because it’s making Intramuros more secure for the thousands of tourists that go there every year,” said Durano.

Intramuros, also called the Walled City, is under the supervision of the DoT-attached agency, Intramuros Administration. The agency is eyeing a revival of the Muelle de Rio entertainment area, which would be a part of the Pasig riverbank boardwalk. Another DoT agency, the Philippine Tourism Authority, is constructing a sports complex outside the walls.

3cr

August 31st, 2007, 09:22 AM

What river on this planet that flows through an urban center and still retain its crystal clear waters these days? I don't mind the color moreso than what can be found floating on the surface of it. ^^ Here in the US there is a river that runs through a section of down town Reno (the little big city in the world) that's considered pretty clean - enough to let kayakers hold competition there. There is also one in Denver Colorado but forgot the name. I am definitely not aware of any in the Philippines though. :) :) :)

lochinvar

September 1st, 2007, 07:54 AM

There is one near Metromanila that hold this competition in the river. Of course, kayak is not native to the Philippines but bancas are prominent. Shooting the rapids is not done occasionally but everyday starting from Cavinte/Magdapio Falls through the Pagsanjan River.

Sinjin P.

September 1st, 2007, 10:13 AM

^ Speaking of Pagsanjan Falls/River, nagkaflashflood du'n the other day... Shocking.... :shocked: Kaya, parang ghost town du'n ngayon, walang tao, natatakot na baka sila ang matiyempuhan ng biglang pagbulusok ng tubig.

iamjomar

September 2nd, 2007, 07:42 AM

napadaan kami sa Pasig River kanina nung nag alay lakad kami, good thing is that there were no huge garbages in it ther is but small ones though the water is black...

metrosuburban

September 2nd, 2007, 10:10 AM

OtAkAw

September 2nd, 2007, 03:21 PM

^^Yeah, why don't they just improve BOTH???

richard24

September 3rd, 2007, 05:12 PM

sumakay ako ng pasig ferry kanina., :) for the 1st time., from PUP station to Guadalupe station., :)

i wanted to take some pics from inside the ferry, but to my surprise., ang daming tao sa ferry., kaya nahiya ako., hehehe..., :)

sabihin na nating mga 70-80% ng seats ang may laman.,

sumakay ako ng 6:20PM -kaya madaming umuuwi., :)

ibig sabihin., ginagamit talaga ang ferry system., :)
-------------------------

some pics., :)

http://i5.tinypic.com/3311093.jpg
http://i2.tinypic.com/5y1qb93.jpg
seats., :) para sa naghihintay ng ferry., :)

http://i16.tinypic.com/507rn9v.jpg
windows., :)

http://i17.tinypic.com/5zfpmhk.jpg
the ticket.., :) bar code siya., so pag papasok ka ng station, isscan mo yung tiket sa turnstile para maka pasok ka (parang LRT pero eto scan ng barcode, hindi magnetic tiket) :)

ang mahal ng pamasahe., :(

-------------
pag baba ko ng guadalupe, nilakad ko nalang papuntang guadalupe MRT station., malapit lang pala siya.,, mga 3-5mins walk., :) kaso lang kailangan mong dumaan sa tabi ng mga squatters., (squatters ba yun? o sadyang madumi yung lugar?) :)

sasakay ulit ako pag may araw naman., para sa pasig na ako bababa., :) bukas na yung sa pasig eh., :)

Lili

September 3rd, 2007, 05:21 PM

^ mabuti nasubukan mo na ang Pasig Ferry ride, Rich. Marami pala rin sumasakay. O sige, sana next time makakuha ka ng pictures (kung puede). :)

richard24

September 3rd, 2007, 05:35 PM

oo nga., super sayang., ang dilim na rin kasi sa labas., kaya kahit pics sa labas hindi ako nakakuha., cam phone lang gamit ko eh., :)

siguradong pag nag-open na yung station sa marikina, mas madami nang gagamit., although, from PUP, it would be more expensive to ride the ferry to marikina., kaysa mag LRT, which is cheaper at 14 pesos from pureza-santolan. unlike 29 (or more) pesos from PUP to riverbanks mall and to sta elena. :)

sana next time makapag post nako ng pics ng loob ng ferry., :)

Lili

September 3rd, 2007, 05:38 PM

^ Siguro, mas scenic yung ride kapag hanggang Marikina na. Thanks for sharing again. :)

richard24

September 9th, 2007, 11:16 AM

had a trip sa ferry again., pero this time hindi ako pumasok ng ferry., nandun ako sa harap., :) feeling turista., :)

kaninang hapon lang to., :)

you can view the rest of the pics.,
http://janrenes24.multiply.com/photos/album/12
my pasig ferry trip with doña.., :)

http://images.janrenes24.multiply.com/image/1/photos/12/500x500/1/DSC04851.JPG?et=7iq149co5%2C60VIgDF7WFnQ
The PUP station

http://images.janrenes24.multiply.com/image/1/photos/12/500x500/4/DSC04854.JPG?et=X%2CsFEx8QgRayw%2Bb7G20sFg
Inside the ferry., (viewed from the deck of the ferry., :)

http://images.janrenes24.multiply.com/image/1/photos/12/500x500/5/DSC04855.JPG?et=T4ESP0ldp51c5xFmPlt%2Buw
The ferry driver, viewed from the deck of the ferry., :)

http://images.janrenes24.multiply.com/image/1/photos/12/500x500/8/DSC04858.JPG?et=o8FTOxVnGkmNnZ3Yk82fow
somewhere along the river., (ang kyut ng bata sa kaliwa nung pic., he's so bibo.,) :)

http://images.janrenes24.multiply.com/image/1/photos/12/500x500/6/DSC04856.JPG?et=QPKezsrljYpNgMo4o71FoA
makati on the background

http://images.janrenes24.multiply.com/image/1/photos/12/500x500/10/DSC04860.JPG?et=zHKlQ%2C6w5LzooMhczstc0g
mga batang naliligo, nakahubad sila., kumakaway pa, sinisigawan pa kaming nasa ferry., :lol: kaso hindi lang kamay ang winawagayway nila., :lol: :hilarious:

http://images.janrenes24.multiply.com/image/1/photos/12/500x500/12/DSC04862.JPG?et=6R%2BSIMWiz3R%2BcpKlet4ERg
kasalubong

http://images.janrenes24.multiply.com/image/1/photos/12/500x500/13/DSC04863.JPG?et=ld9ntZUiyDn0XGJ%2CNl4PSA
sta. ana station

http://images.janrenes24.multiply.com/image/1/photos/12/500x500/17/DSC04867.JPG?et=Mi1MkcqpBqraHYbicv6VhA
lambingan station.,

http://images.janrenes24.multiply.com/image/1/photos/12/500x500/19/DSC04869.JPG?et=uKNlw4NhZle78pdh%2Blhdxw
somewhere near lambingan station.

http://images.janrenes24.multiply.com/image/1/photos/12/500x500/22/DSC04872.JPG?et=Rc2KsEvvaLQ%2BbC4AYobovg
makati on the background

http://images.janrenes24.multiply.com/image/1/photos/12/500x500/28/DSC04879.JPG?et=9I0wTC%2CuthpI0%2CC5X7590w
hulo station

http://images.janrenes24.multiply.com/image/1/photos/12/500x500/29/DSC04880.JPG?et=Fa0PJA2Due9y6yoYINbLdA
rockwell center

http://images.janrenes24.multiply.com/image/1/photos/12/500x500/31/DSC04882.JPG?et=CgK1Qy8%2CUVZt1ykG%2CRkEPA
EDSA

http://images.janrenes24.multiply.com/image/1/photos/12/500x500/33/DSC04884.JPG?et=Qm8Kt4%2C%2Bg9myP74a7a1cMA
Guadalupe station., :)

IndioBravo

September 9th, 2007, 09:21 PM

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/331/londondayout080907039cu0.jpg

Thanks richard24 for the pics.Quite informative and positive as well.This only shows that there is hope for Pasig River.As to my pic .what you can see in the picture is what can also happen in Pasig.Business offices and residential houses in London are near the river Thames,as we all now was as dirty as Pasig.Not only that,when they made the new CBD,it's still near the river!

Sinjin P.

September 10th, 2007, 04:01 AM

@richard: Nice photos. Hindi ba masama ang amoy ng ilog?

flymordecai

September 10th, 2007, 06:53 AM

http://images.janrenes24.multiply.com/image/1/photos/12/500x500/12/DSC04862.JPG?et=6R%2BSIMWiz3R%2BcpKlet4ERg

A lot of people in that ferry. Is there an increase in the number of riders? That would be good news.

richard24

September 10th, 2007, 03:21 PM

@richard: Nice photos. Hindi ba masama ang amoy ng ilog?

surprisingly, there's not a single trace of stench.

http://images.janrenes24.multiply.com/image/1/photos/12/500x500/12/DSC04862.JPG?et=6R%2BSIMWiz3R%2BcpKlet4ERg

A lot of people in that ferry. Is there an increase in the number of riders? That would be good news.

commuters ang gumagamit pag weekday, usually escolta-guadalupe or kalwaan.

pag weekend, kadamihan turista. like me., :) feeling turista., :lol:

Lili

September 11th, 2007, 06:50 AM

^^ I enjoyed those pictures of your river boat ride Rich. The scenery is not bad -- skyscrapers, bridges, ports, old industrial buildings, greenery, children frolicking in the waters, other ferry boats. It's good you decided to ride on the deck for a clearer view. What's more pleasant news to me when you mentioned you didn't smell any stench from the river at that time. I'm so happy to know that. I hope more people care about the Pasig River and patronize these ferry rides.

flymordecai

September 11th, 2007, 07:30 AM

surprisingly, there's not a single trace of stench.

commuters ang gumagamit pag weekday, usually escolta-guadalupe or kalwaan.

pag weekend, kadamihan turista. like me., :) feeling turista., :lol:

That's very good to know! The opening of the ferry service is such a good thing, and I'm glad that it's finally being used by a lot of people.

Are there still plans to open more stations?

kyle@1008

September 11th, 2007, 01:21 PM

It seems to be getting cleaner....that ferry ride is nice.... hopefully someday, manila will have it's own version of the seine....

richard24

September 11th, 2007, 04:18 PM

That's very good to know! The opening of the ferry service is such a good thing, and I'm glad that it's finally being used by a lot of people.

Are there still plans to open more stations?

actually, may leaflet sila about the stations., but i don't have a scanner., :(

soon to open stations are:

Intramuros-Plaza Mexico
Lawton-Arroceros
Valenzuela (near Makati city hall)
San Joaquin
Riverbanks (later this year to early next year)
Sta. Elena (later this year to early next year)
---------------------------

Current stations:

Escolta
PUP-Manila
Sta. Ana Manila
Lambingan
Hulo
Guadalupe
Bambang
Kalawaan

----------------
the most used stations are guadalupe ang escolta., :) madami din sa bambang ang kalawaan. :)

Animo

September 28th, 2007, 07:48 AM

By Ambeth Ocampo
Inquirer
Last updated 01:15am (Mla time) 09/28/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- When caught in traffic, I amuse myself by using up all the foul language I know. After this brief vocal exercise, I observe how others try to cope. Watching Filipino motorists trying to get out of a jam (usually of their own making) reminds me of those clinical experiments they do with rats in a maze. Better still, it is an example of how lemmings follow each other to the death.

One of the lessons I have learned about Manila traffic, aside from bearing with it, is that you must try as best as you can to get on to and remain on a major road. How many of us have taken a detour in some small alleys to escape traffic, only to get stuck and realize that everyone else had exactly the same idea? Staying on a major street means that help will come at some point, but if you are caught in some forgotten “esquinita” [alley], you are bound to stew for a very long time.

On our way back to Makati City from Mendiola Street in Manila the other day, my friend decided to avoid traffic by turning left after Nagtahan Bridge to Pandacan. I thought he would go through the normal route that leads to Santa Ana, but he decided to go deep into old Pandacan, now better remembered for those oil depots along the Pasig that pose a threat to residents because they are a prime target for terrorists. My friend drove into little streets, often having to dole out change to shirtless trolls directing traffic, as some sort of toll.

I am in good hands, I said to myself, he knows his way around. As we admired many old houses in the district, we passed by a monument to “P. Zamora” who is better remembered as the “za” in “Gomburza.” I didn’t know that one of the martyrs of 1872 came from this place, because I always associate Pandacan with Balagtas. I would explain that all of the streets here were named with “Florante at Laura” as a theme. Unless these old names have been replaced with those of city and local officials, the streets of Pandacan teach or at least remind people about Balagtas and his epic poem that we all endured in high school.

We are told that Balagtas moved from Tondo to Pandacan sometime in 1835 or 1836. There, he fell in love with a certain Maria Asuncion Rivera who is said to be the “Celia,” the muse to whom “Florante at Laura” was dedicated. If you will remember, the only clue we have to the identity of Celia are the initials “M.A.R.”

Herminigildo Cruz, in his often cited book “Kung Sinong Kumatha ng Florante?” actually gives us the names of other women in the bard’s life. While textbook history has chosen to immortalize Maria Asuncion Rivera as the muse, there happens to be another contender for the title by the name of Magdalena Ana Ramos, who has unfortunately been forgotten by history.

The next question is why someone named Maria Asuncion or Magdalena Ana had the nickname “Celia” (depending on the version you are holding, this is also spelled “Selya”). This has not been fully explained, but for a very complicated apocryphal story about M.A.R. having musical talent and being a good pianist. It is said that she got her nickname because there was a painting atop her piano depicting St. Cecilia, patroness of music, amusing angels by playing on an organ.

Leaving this rather obscene story behind, we have to explore other angles, other versions. Aside from the two women who shared Balagtas and the initials M.A.R., there was a third person who stood up to be recognized. The late E. Aguilar Cruz once wrote about a certain Candida San Jose, also of Pandacan, who declared with her dying breath, at the age of 83, that the dedication of Balagtas referred to her grandaunt, Celia Castañeda. Abe Cruz told me this alternative story:

Celia Castañeda was a beautiful woman. (Why should muses always be beautiful? Can’t we have someone who can win the annual Miss Ugly -- No More -- contest?) Her distinguishing feature happened to be long, beautiful hair that extended all the way down to her ankles. (Now, that is someone who could make a living endorsing hair products, or even playing Rapunzel in freak shows.) Following the Filipino notion of beauty, Celia had fair skin and was so desirable that Balagtas had many rivals for her hand, including the Spanish “cura” [parish priest] of Pandacan and another forgotten poet by the name Mariano Kapule. To cut a complicated story short, Balagtas was imprisoned on trumped-up charges fabricated by the priest, who then raped the hapless Celia. The gallant Mariano Kapule offered to marry her to preserve her honor, but Celia refused. Celia then took her own life.

This is an anti-friar story popular in the 19th century, and we don’t know how reliable it is. For one thing, the sex-starved cura and the desolate victim resemble characters in Jose Rizal’s novels. So far nothing is certain about the M.A.R. in “Florante at Laura,” so we are left with textbook history.

Getting lost in the navel of Pandacan was a welcome experience. When we passed Beata Street I remembered Chapter 62 of the “Noli” where Ibarra and Elias are being pursued along the Pasig, and Elias said, “We must enter the Beata River to make it appear that I am from Peñafrancia. You will see the river of Francisco Baltazar’s poems.”

That beautiful river is now a black stinking estero. Why is it that when we speak of the Pasig or Manila as a beautiful place, we do so only in the past tense?

http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view_article.php?article_id=91189

MakatiBoy

September 28th, 2007, 06:13 PM

actually, may leaflet sila about the stations., but i don't have a scanner., :(

soon to open stations are:

Intramuros-Plaza Mexico
Lawton-Arroceros
Valenzuela (near Makati city hall)
San Joaquin
Riverbanks (later this year to early next year)
Sta. Elena (later this year to early next year)
---------------------------

Current stations:

Escolta
PUP-Manila
Sta. Ana Manila
Lambingan
Hulo
Guadalupe
Bambang
Kalawaan

----------------
the most used stations are guadalupe ang escolta., :) madami din sa bambang ang kalawaan. :)

Thanks for the pictures. I like the design of the stations, medyo modern. With that design, a few timber trellis/pergolas/louver here and there would have made it tropical modern. That's the in-thing right now in Asian designs. But it's still nice.

nayki

September 29th, 2007, 05:01 AM

Try ninyong tignan sa Google Earth or Wikimapia.org iyong meeting point ng Pasig River and San Juan River sa may Punta, Manila... Makikita ninyo ang malaking diprensya ng dalawang ilog. Iyong Pasig River color brown samantalang iyong San Juan River color super black. Sa tingin ko ang San Juan river ang main source ng dumi sa Pasig River kaya sana gumalaw galaw naman ang mga Mayor ng Mandaluyong, San Juan, at Quezon City kasi sa kanila dumadaloy ang San Juan river exit point lang ang Manila via Sta.Ana. Buti pa and MMDA care of Bayani Fernando gumagawa ng paraan para malinis ang San Juan River. Ang alam ko nagstart na ang MMDA na magpaalis ng mga nakatira sa gilid ng ilog at kahit ng mga malalaking pagmamayari dun:ohno:

mwg12a

September 29th, 2007, 08:28 AM

The ferries looks nice IMO, the scenic view isn't too bad either. It's a very good project and I'm glad it really materialized.

richard24

September 29th, 2007, 04:56 PM

nayki

September 29th, 2007, 05:11 PM

^^
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/nayki_22/Halo-halo/sanjuan-pasigriver.jpg?t=1191078572

Look how the very black colored San Juan River diffuses into the Pasig River:ohno:

Lili

September 29th, 2007, 06:55 PM

^^ Oh yeah. They should do something about that. Is that sewage?

OtAkAw

September 29th, 2007, 07:14 PM

^^It looks like an artery of poison inserted into a vessel of healthy blood.

nayki

September 30th, 2007, 05:56 AM

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/nayki_22/Halo-halo/sanjuan-pasigriver.jpg?t=1191078572
Oh... I have this analysis why the San Juan river is so dirty and black. San Juan river is already a dead river since the other end of this river in QC is closed. Upon looking on the actual river, the water is stagnant with no movement of water. The strong current at pasig river in Manila where two rivers meet prevents the san juan river from escaping in the artery which makes it stagnant. And all the waste being dump in the San Juan river just accomulate over the years. The strong current at pasig river which prevents San Juan River from flushing in the artery made the majority of the stagnant water to just evaporate naturally. This made the river a concentrated seawage liquid. :ohno:

richard24

October 2nd, 2007, 01:24 PM

dumadaloy naman ang san juan river ah., :) yata. :)

thomasian

October 2nd, 2007, 01:51 PM

IndioBravo

October 3rd, 2007, 12:08 AM

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/6615/cambridge91ms6.jpg

This goes to show that each one of us has got to do our part in reviving Metro Manila's River system.We are all interconnected,so if some of us neglect the river's cleanliness,everyone will suffer.Filipinos from the past and present completely forgot about the importance of our rivers.It's up to our generation today to do something about it,for our children's sake.

kalbongdad

October 3rd, 2007, 08:28 AM

yan dapat ang asikasuhin ng mga siga ng san juan...yung mga aktor aktoran dyan.....nde pamumulitika...

nayki

October 4th, 2007, 06:00 PM

Dumadaloy sya, palabas papuntang Pasig river, lalo na kung umuulan. Marami ring sinasalong tubig yan from San Juan and Quezon City, and there's no other way out but on the Pasig river, it's not stagnant, lalo na ngayong tag-ulan.

Dumadaloy lang siya minsan paunti2 dahil nadadagdagan siya ng tubig galing sa mga estero at sa tubig baha pag umuulan. Pero hindi na siya gaya ng pasig river na meron talagang tubig na pinang gagalingan. Kaya enviromentally speaking patay na ilog na siya kasi artificial na lang iyong pagdaloy ng tubig niya paminsan minsan. Kaya nga sobrang itim na ng ilog na to kasi wala masyadong pag galaw naiipon lang iyong dumi at nadadagdagan pa dahil hindi masyadong nafluflush:lol:

odyssey

October 5th, 2007, 12:45 AM

Puede ba ****-salpak ang litrato na to sa mukha ng tamad na san juan mayor!

^^
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/nayki_22/Halo-halo/sanjuan-pasigriver.jpg?t=1191078572

Look how the very black colored San Juan River diffuses into the Pasig River:ohno:

kalbongdad

October 5th, 2007, 02:51 AM

may i know if the pasig river ferry ay hanggang marikina na....i was able to ride it once....from escolta to guadalupe...it was an exciting ride....would love to do it again....this time....up to marikina....

MNL

October 5th, 2007, 02:58 AM

this is so sad.. hope San Juan government would take action! kundi lulunurin ko sila dyan!:lol:

le Reine

October 5th, 2007, 05:26 PM

talaga bang may problema sa san juan river or may problem sa pic ng google earth?

IndioBravo

October 5th, 2007, 09:48 PM

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/8231/23092007056of3.jpghttp://http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/8231/23092007056of3.jpg

As far as I know,ensuring a clean environment is a basic need of every human being.And local governments have the duty to provide this.San Juan residents wake-up!Don't let your local govt. short change you.Sayang ang boto ninyo.

thomasian

October 6th, 2007, 06:07 AM

The problem is, a lot of San Juan residents don't seem to care.

Sinjin P.

October 6th, 2007, 11:10 AM

^ Like their mayor?

reggiedoc

October 7th, 2007, 07:07 AM

Fighting to save the earth

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FROM THE STANDS By DOMINI M. TORREVILLAS

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Yes, Mother Earth can be saved, she said, and cited Mayor Edward Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa in Palawan who was able to save the 4,000-hectare watershed of his city by spending only P1 million. What is needed, Loren said, is “political will!”

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The Philippine Star

The feisty Loren Legarda, on her second term as senator, devoted her privileged speech last week to imploring her colleagues to conduct an inquiry into the state of our environment. She bewailed the deterioration of the Philippine environment "from a gloomy Silent Spring into the next stage — an apocalyptic one." As one will recall, Silent Spring is a book written by Rachel Carson in September 1963, and which is credited with launching the global environmental movement.

Loren proposed a comprehensive formula for coping with environmental problems, namely, "Conservation, Protection and Restoration" as products of "EEE — Education, Engineering and Enforcement," or CPR-EEE.

Loren pointed out that Congress has passed many environmental laws which are not being implemented by agencies. One law was passed in 1997 mandating that environmental education must be incorporated in all levels of the school curriculum, but the Department of Education, Loren said, is expected only next year to produce a module on the environment in public and private schools. Nor has Congress, she said, complied with the Constitutional mandate to determine by law the specific limits of forest lands and national parks.

Concerns which must be addressed, she said, are the close monitoring of compliance by grantees of exploration permits of safety and environmental laws; checking of illegal and destructive fishing practices, especially in the Visayan Sea ("a geographic epicenter of marine wealth on earth"); implementation of the Solid Waste Management Law, the Clean Air Act, and the Spring Development Act of 1989.

Yes, Mother Earth can be saved, she said, and cited Mayor Edward Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa in Palawan who was able to save the 4,000-hectare watershed of his city by spending only P1 million. What is needed, Loren said, is "political will!"

Expect Loren to continue her fight to save the environment in Congress.

* * *

Newly-appointed Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza will surely be Sen. Loren Legarda’s big ally in the implementation of laws concerning the preservation of the environment. At a dinner with media, the former mayor of Manila sounded very enthusiastic about his new job. The job is national in scope, so different from that of a mayor where he could do things immediately, he said. But at DENR, which counts 26,000 personnel, he has to deal with a lot of agencies. He is not complaining; in fact when the President offered him the job (first it was the Department of Interior and Local Governments, which he was not particularly interested in), "I got excited."

He has an active public relations team that sees to it that he gets good media mileage. Whatever he does, wherever he goes, comes out in the papers. And this is probably good, because with the public knowing his activities, he would be able to gain its cooperation — something that he stresses as vital in the national program to preserve — and improve — the environment.

For example, stories have come out about his exhorting the citizenry to protect the environment "through the bayanihan spirit" during the launching of the "Adopt a Mountain Project" in Cagayan de Oro City. The 20-hectare reforestation program in Barangay Mabuhay, Baungon, Bukidnon, has companies and NGOs planting fruit bearing and forest trees. Printed pictures and stories show him leading a tree-planting activity at the Ipo watershed in Norzagaray, Bulacan.

He is hep on cleaning up waterways — Pasig River, Laguna de Bay and Manila Bay, Marilao River in Bulacan. In Bulacan he asked the town executives to bar squatters and firms from Marilao River. He asked LGUs, academicians and citizens to clean up coastal areas.

He has also gone island-hopping, to inspect mine sites, the tarsier sanctuary in Canapnapan, Corella, Bohol. He has gone to Boracay and set a moratorium on hotel-construction activities.

It’s somewhat impossible — what he plans to do to clean up Laguna lake — dismantle fish pens. "The lake’s murky waters, the never-ending cycle of fish kills and red tide, including the bad taste of fishes caught in the lake already prod us to undertake radical measures to save Laguna de Bay," he was quoted as saying. He wants to review the functions of the Laguna Lake Development Authority which has supervisory and regulatory powers over the lake to clean up the lake.

Lito’s job is gargantuan, picking up where his predecessor, Angelo Reyes, now Secretary of Energy, left off.