The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission[1] was a state commission in charge of the rehabilitation of the Pasig River. The commission served for 20 years, from 1999 until its dissolution by President Rodrigo Duterte in November 2019. The body's powers and functions were transferred to the Manila Bay Task Force and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.[2]
History
The commission was created on January 6, 1999 through Executive Order No. 54 to strengthen the government's program to rehabilitate the river for transportation, recreation and tourism purposes. Its powers and functions, according to the executive order, were to:
Draw up an updated and integrated Master Plan on the Rehabilitation of the Pasig River;
Ensure that the easements provided for in the Civil Code and other related laws are observed including all the esteros and waterways that drain into the Pasig River;
Integrate and coordinate all programs related to the rehabilitation of the Pasig River;
Abate the dumping of untreated industrial wastewater and sewerage into the river including all acts and omission in violation of the Pollution Control Law and other related laws;
Relocate settlers, squatters and other unauthorized or unlawful occupants along its banks;
Undertake civil works for the purpose, such as dredging, clearing of structures, cleaning of the River and all the esteros and waterways that drain into it;
Submit regular reports to the Office of the President on the status of the government's efforts on the rehabilitation and development of the Pasig River; and to
Coordinate with all government agencies and offices, including local government units.
Executive Order No. 54 also abolished the Pasig River Development Council, the Presidential Task Force on Pasig River Rehabilitation and the River Rehabilitation Secretariat, whose functions were transferred to the commission.
On January 19, thirteen days after Executive Order No. 54 was signed, an amendment was inserted giving private companies a license to coordinate with the commission concerning the rehabilitation program.
In October 2019, President Rodrigo Duterte called on Congress to abolish the commission.[4] This was after he transferred the chairmanship of the agency from the Department of Budget and Management to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources[5] and fired its executive director allegedly due to graft and corruption.[6] The commission, earlier in May, was cited by the Commission on Audit for having low accomplishment rates in 2018 despite using up 96% of its budget.[7]
Three representatives from the private sector appointed by the president
The day-to-day operations of the commission was handled by the executive director who in turn was assisted by two deputy executive directors. The executive director was also the head of the Project Management Office.
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