Duterte abolishes Pasig River rehab body
Credit to Author: Catherine S. Valente, TMT| Date: Thu, 14 Nov 2019 02:15:01 +0000
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the abolition of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) “to consolidate ongoing rehabilitation efforts in all river systems and tributaries within the Manila Bay Region.”
Duterte signed on November 8 Executive Order (EO) 93, which formally orders the “disestablishment of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission.”
“Pursuant to the right-sizing policy of the government under the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022, which aims to promote economy and efficiency in government operations and ensure greater accountability of public officials, there is a need to consolidate ongoing rehabilitation efforts in all river systems and tributaries within the Manila Bay Region and streamline rehabilitation functions by transferring them to agencies with relevant core mandates,” Duterte said in his order.
The President, in a letter dated November 12 and addressed to Assistant Secretary Joan Lagunda, PRRC officer-in-charge , submitted a certified copy of EO 93, which takes effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general publication.
The signing of EO 93 came almost two months after Duterte bared his plan to abolish the PRRC, saying the river was “uncleanable.”
In September, Duterte dismissed PRRC executive director Jose Antonio Goitia for alleged corruption.
He later on declared that Pasig River would no longer be restored to its pristine state because of the establishment of new factories and the booming population.
The PRRC is an inter-agency body mandated to ensure that the Pasig River is rehabilitated to its historically pristine condition to make it conducive to transport, recreation and tourism.
In EO 93, Duterte ordered the transfer of PRRC’s functions, including “all necessary and incidental powers,” to the Manila Bay Task Force, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The Manila Bay Task Force is tasked to “update and take the lead” in the overall implementation of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Master Plan, which aims to “harness the Pasig River’s potential for transportation, recreation and tourism purposes while undertaking the rehabilitation and restoration of its marine life.”
The DENR is mandated to ensure the enforcement of easements provided for in the Civil Code and other relevant laws, especially in estuaries and waterways that drain into the Pasig River.
The new EO also orders the DENR to abate the dumping of untreated industrial wastewater and sewerage into the river, including all acts and omissions in violation of Presidential Decrees (PD) 948 and 274 inked in 1976 and in 1973, respectively.
The DHSUD is designated to lead relocation of informal settlers and other unauthorized occupants along the banks of the Pasig River.
The MMDA and the DPWH, consistent with their respective mandates, are also directed to ensure the dismantling and removal of all structures, constructions, and other encroachments established or built along Pasig River.
Both agencies are also ordered “to undertake civil works, as may be necessary, such as dredging and cleaning of the Pasig River and all the inland channels, esteros (estuaries), and waterways that drain into it.”
The MMDA and the DPWH can also coordinate with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, local government units, and the Philippine National Police Maritime Group, according to the EO.
Within 60 days from the effectivity of EO 93, the Department of Budget and Management, in consultation with the DENR and MMDA, will supervise the winding up of the operations of the PRRC and the final disposition or transfer of its functions, obligations, assets and liabilities pursuant to the order, as well as the separation or transfer of its personnel, as may be necessary, in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
“If any part or provision of this Order is held unconstitutional or invalid, other parts not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect,” the order read.