Duterte Contemplating On Removing PRRC
PASIG RIVER – President Duterte stated on Tuesday that he was contemplating on whether or not he would remove the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC).
During the oath taking at Malacañang, Duterte stated that the Pasig River could not be cleaned. He said that is was because there was no zoning.
The President then added that over the years, factory and house waste has been dumped in the river. He then asked: “How can you clean that?”.
He also stated that he would remove the PRRC and transfer the responsibility to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). It would then be headed by Secretary Roy Cimatu.
Although, it was still not clear if he planned to dissolve the PRRC or merely transfer its functions to DENR. In relation, the President issued an Executive order that transfers the chairship of the PRRC to Cimatu.
According to Inquirer, the chairship was previously held by the budget secretary. A week later, President Duterte fired Jose Antonio Goitia as PRRC executive director due to corruption links.
The PRRC was established by former President Joseph Estrada in January 1998. This was for the rehabilitation of the 27-kilometer Pasig River.
This waterway links Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay. It also runs through the cities of Makati Mandaluyong, Taguig, Manila and the municipality of Pateros in Metro Manila and Taytay in Rizal province.
Last year, the PRRC was recognized by the International River Symposium in Australia. This was for their efforts to revive the previously biologically dead river.
The Pasig River also won the first 2018 Asia RiverPrize award. Along with this, beating China’s Yangtze River.
In Duterte’s speech on Tuesday, he emphasized the need to overhaul the entire city. This would be done by erecting new cities outside and lessening urban population.
Thanks for reading. We aim to provide our readers with the freshest and most in-demand content. Come back next time for the latest news here on Philnews.
Like this article? READ ALSO: Giant Catfish Weighing Over 10 Kilograms Found in Pasig River
