CHAP 4

CHAPTER 4

PROJECT PROFILE

I. Historical Background

            The Pasig River is a major river of national significance in the historic, cultural and commercial life of the Philippines. The river is an important navigation route for barges transporting bulk goods and materials between factories located along the riverbanks and ships anchored in Manila Bay. The river also provides an important drainage and flood protection function for Metro Manila. In the past, the Pasig River system is a complex waterway network comprising the Pasig, Marikina, and San Juan rivers and numerous smaller streams and drainage canals. The Pasig river main outlet from Laguna Lake and the river system flows to Manila Bay through approximately 2km of flat, coastal plain and the highly urbanized and densely developed part of Metro Manila.

           

            From 1999, the National Housing Authority had started social preparation and actual relocation of informal settler households along riverbanks (PRRC Annual Report, 2001). These activities were based on the census and tagging operations that had been accomplished by the National Housing Authority in the few years prior to the loan effectivity in 12 August 2000; initially, in 1997 and validation was done in 1999. As a result of the validation of the census of affected families, the number increase from 8,286 in 1997 to 10,000 in 1999 (RAP for the PAREMAR, March 2002). The envisioned census and tagging operations were done in eight municipalities included: Manila, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati, Pateros, Taguig, Pasig and Quezon City.

II. Profile of the Client/ User

            CLIENT (Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission)

           

            The institutional arrangements foe the Pasig River are potentially complex because many central and local government agencies have responsibilities for different aspects of environmental management; urban renewal; and the development, management, and maintenance of the Pasig River system. To resolve this, the Government has created the PRRC to be the executing agency responsible for all aspects of river rehabilitation, including coordination with the various implementing agencies. The Government created the PRRC in January 1999 through Executive order 54 as amended by EO65. The PRRC was created to ensure that the waterway is rehabilitated to its historically pristine condition conductive to transport, recreation, and tourism.

            The PRRC is headed by the secretary, Department of Budget Management a chairperson. The co- chair is the chairperson, MMDA and the secretaries or heads of the following agencies are members: DENR; Department of Finance; Department of Interior and Local Governement; Department of National Defense; DPWH; Department of Tourism; DTI; DOTC; HUDCC; Office of the Executive Secretary, Office of the President; and three representatives of the private sector, appointed by the President.

            USER (Pasig River Informal Settlers)

            The sending cities and municipalities included Manila, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati, Pateros, Taguig, Pasig, and Quezon City. Sometime after project implementation, the target had increased to 10,113 to include  household was reduced to 9,726 because some of the target areas of clearing were deemed not feasible (PRRC Staus of Project Deliverables, October 31, 2008). It is the new target of 9,726 that is reflected in the PRRC report on the status of project deliverables as of October  31, 2009 and which is reflected in the table showing targets against number of households actually relocated and the balance.

	Target				Relocated				Balance
	Main River System	Tributaries	URA	Total	Main River System	Tributaries	URA	Total	Main River System	Tributaries	URA	Total
Manila	4758	240	0	4998	2268	233	0	2501	2490	7	0	2497
Makati	905	330	375	1610	841	330	35	1546	64	0	0	64
Pasig	1469	152	0	1621	1221	152	0	1373	248	0	0	248
Mandaluyong	679	0	0	679	679	0	0	679	0	0	0	0
Taguig	52	0	0	52	52	0	0	52	0	0	0	0
San Juan	0	119	0	119	0	119	0	119	0	0	0	0
Quezon City	0	377	0	377	0	377	0	377	0	0	0	0
Pateros	0	270	0	270	0	270	0	270	0	0	0	0
TOTAL	7863	1488	375	9726	1481	6917	375	6917	2802	7	0	2809

SOURCE: PRRC Resettlement Action Plan Handbook

The study will focus in the area of Pasig, Barangay Buting. There are 248 affected families in the area that need to be relocated. Republic Act 7279 of the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1192 had specified that resettlement areas should be equipped with social services and facilities.

III. Organizational Set- Up and Personnel Function

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF PASIG RIVER REHABILITATION COMMISSION

 

SOURCE: PRRC Resettlement Action Plan Handbook

DENR = Department of Environment and Natural Resources

DILG = Department of Interior and Local Government

DOF =Department of Finance

DOLE = Department of Labor and Development

DND = Department of National Defense

DOT = Department of Tourism

DOTC = Department of Transport and Communications

DPWH = Department of Public Works and Highways

DSWD = Department of Social Welfare and Development

DTI =Department of Trade and Industry

HUDCC =Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council

MMDA = Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

NGOs = Nongovernment Organizations

NHA = National Housing Authority

OES = Office of the Executive Secretary

Other profile information are found in the Appendices.