The Pasig River revival: Milestone for sustainability and heritage

The Pasig River, once declared biologically dead, is experiencing a remarkable revival through the Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli (PBBM) program.

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This ambitious initiative, launched in 2023, is now receiving global recognition—earning the 2025 United Nations Asian Townscape Award for its contribution to sustainable urban development.

The award, to be formally presented in Hong Kong this November, was officially confirmed by the UN-Habitat Regional Office for Asia. It is an acknowledgment of the government's multi-sectoral efforts to rehabilitate a river that holds immense historical, ecological, and cultural value.

At the heart of this transformation is the Pasig River Esplanade, a major milestone in the river’s rehabilitation. First inaugurated in January 2024 with a 500-meter stretch behind the Manila Central Post Office, the esplanade now includes a 250-meter extension connecting to Plaza Mexico and Fort Santiago. The newest development closed a section of Plaza Mexico Road to create 2,000 square meters of public open space—a symbolic and physical reconnection of people with their river.