WHEREAS, the constitution of the Republic of the Philippines mandates the State to protect and promote the right of the people to balanced ecology and sustainable economy in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature;

WHEREAS, the people living near or along the Pasig River have the right to live in an environment that is free from pollution and unsanitary conditions;

WHEREAS, the Pasig River has fastly deteriorated over the past years due to unabated disposal of human sewage from houses and industrial wastes from factories along its banks;

WHEREAS, the Pasig River is considered to be a vital link in the transport of goods and people and its rehabilitation will be beneficial for the development of Metro Manila and the country, in general;

WHEREAS, the Pasig River, being a natural navigational route and strategic location, remains a viable alternative for decongesting the road network system of Metro Manila and its environs, thus positively utilizing the River for increasing commerce and industry;

WHEREAS, the Pasig River, being the catchbasin of floodwaters from several tributaries from upstream areas of the metropolis, is a very important conduit to mitigate the flooding in most areas of Metro Manila, and that its dredging will increase the carrying capacity of the river;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

Section 1. Declaration - The Dredging and Rehabilitation of the Pasig River is a Presidential Priority Project that has to be implemented immediately.

Section 2. Execution - The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), shall be the lead agency n the implementation of the project and that, all Departments, government agencies and entities concerned, are hereby ordered to provide full cooperation for the timely and smooth execution of the project.

Section 3. Repealing Clause - All orders, proclamations, rules, regulations, issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with any provision of this Executive Order are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 4. Effectivity - This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 28th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eight.


By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary