TWO months after firing the head of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) over allegations of graft and corruption, President Duterte has now abolished the body tasked to clean and transform the Pasig River.
Duterte signed Executive Order 93 on November 8, directing the disestablishment of the PRRC, citing the “need to consolidate ongoing rehabilitation efforts in all river systems and tributaries within the Manila Bay region,” as well as to streamline rehabilitation functions.
In signing the new EO, Duterte also repealed EO 54 (Series 1999) signed by former President Joseph Estrada.
“The PRRC is hereby disestablished,” read the EO, a copy of which was released to reporters on Thursday.
Thus, the functions of the PRRC are transferred to different agencies, including the Manila Bay Task Force, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The Manila Bay Task Force under its mandate in Administrative Order 16 shall update and take the lead in overall implementation of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Master Plan, which shall harness the Pasig River’s potential for transportation, recreation and tourism purposes while undertaking the rehabilitation and restoration of its marine life.
Meanwhile, the DENR shall ensure the easements provided for in the Civil Code and other relevant laws are enforced, especially in all the esteros and waterways that drain into the Pasig River, as well as abate the dumping of untreated industrial wastewater and sewerage into the river.
The DHSUD shall expedite the relocation of informal settler and other unauthorized or unlawful occupants along Pasig River.
The MMDA and DPWH, in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, local government units concerned and the Philippine National Police Maritime Group, shall ensure the dismantling and removal of all structures, constructions and other encroachments established or built along the Pasig River, as well as undertake civil works, such as the dredging and cleaning of the Pasig River and all the inland channels, esteros and waterways that drain into it.
Moreover, the Chief Executive also tasked the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), in consultation with the DENR and the MMDA, to supervise the winding up of operations of the PRRC, as well as the final disposition or transfer of its functions, obligations, assets and liabilities, and the separation or transfer of its personnel, as may be necessary.
In response, the PRRC officials also said in a statement on Thursday that they respect the decision of the Palace. “We shall abide by the order immediately and assist the Department of Budget and Management, the DENR and the MMDA in the winding up of the operations, as well as the transfer of functions, obligations, assists and liabilities pursuant to the order,” PRRC said.
Two months ago, Duterte also signed EO 90 ordering the transfer of chairmanship of the PRRC from the DBM secretary to the secretary of DENR.
Last October 28, the President renewed his call for the abolition of PRRC.
While the Chief Executive said earlier “there is nothing to clean in the Pasig River” anymore, he said “nothing can happen” to the Pasig River unless everybody along the river stops dumping sewage into it.
In September, the President said he wants to dissolve the PRRC but he pointed out that the Pasig River is impossible to clean.
On the same month, he also fired PRRC executive director Jose Antonio Goitia.
Image credits: Ed Davad