NEWSFLASH

$176-M FROM ADB FOR PASIG RIVER REHAB

Manila, July 23, 2000 - The multibillion-peso effort to resuscitate Pasig River literally ran into garbage yesterday when the boat that President Estrada was on sputtered to a stop due to trash.

Mr. Estrada was on a tour of the river to brief Asian Development Bank officials on river improvement projects to be funded with $176 million from the ADB.

The boat was on its way back to Malacañang from Del Pan Bridge in Tondo, when the President decided to go upstream to Guadalupe Bridge in Makati City. But on the way back to the Palace, the boat's propellers got entangled in plastic trash, conking out its engine. The boat had to be towed back to Malacañang.

The incident only drew laughter from the boat's passengers that included Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Jejomar Binay, whose agency was tasked to bring back the river's old romance.

At Malacañang, the President hosted a lunch for the ADB officials that preceded the signing of a loan agreement between Finance Secretary Jose Pardo and ADB president Tadao Chino.

As a demonstration of political will, I have made the rehabilitation of the river as the flagship program of my presidency for the environment," the Chief Executive said after witnessing the signing of the agreement.

Under this program, linear parks and promenades along the riverbanks will be put up, while flood control projects will also be undertaken.

Mr. Estrada said Pasig River will also become an alternative traffic route of the metropolis.