PAREX - Pasig River Expressway

[yapoy86]

Oh sige nga, lakad ka nang matagal sa kalye habang nilalanghap ang masasarap na mga usok ng paborito mong diesel mula sa trucks, pujs, buses at mga uvs na lumalakbay jan. Tingnan natin kung kakayanin ng sistema niyo.

sa baguio eto ang ayaw ko.. masarap sana mag lakad pero lahat ng public transport nila mausok.. ang baho tuloy.. sana ayusin ni mayor magalong.. dapat sa baguio lakad lang..

[ice15]

ako 5 years dyan intramuros.. hehe lakad lang.. never ako nag pedicab dyan kahit ma late na ako.. bilis ko pa tumakbo nuon.. hehe

sa totoo lang, nababantutan ako sa pedicab... kaya di baleng maglakad.

[kagalingan]

Mahirap talaga pag mukhang kotse nakakapangit ng lugar. Just to ease traffic papangitin mga lugar. Saan ba kayo grumadweyt at puro kayo laman tiyan!!!!!! Ang minamalas ngayon pandemic mga laman-tiyan.

Tama yung sinabi ito architect = Focus on non-motorized transport. Yung M.U ko na flight attendant ang layo ng nilalakad nung nasa dubai pa sya.



“Traffic is just the symptom of the real and larger problem of the lack of a comprehensive transport system that focuses on moving people and not cars,” Alcazaren points out.

Illustration by urban planner Paulo Alcazaren showing how PAREX would look when built from Del Pan to Malacañang Palace (left); artist's rendering of PAREX (handout photo)

PARES na lang? This PAREX alternative is more pro-people and river-friendly, says architect
Urban planner and landscape architect Paulo Alcazaren explains how putting an esplanade along Pasig River can help save the river, address mobility problems, and reinvigorate the areas around it
ANCX Staff | Oct 05 2021

One of the key points raised against the construction of the 19.37-kilometer Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) is its supposed adverse impact on the environment and the existing heritage structures along the river.

Ira Cruz of Alt Mobility PH, one of the concerned groups strongly opposed to the project, told ANC’s “Rundown” that San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and DOTr are “signing the death sentence of Pasig River” with the proposed expressway. He said the PAREX will probably decongest traffic early on but will in no time encourage people to buy more cars—which will only bring Manila roads back to its traffic problems.

Consequently, more cars on the roads will have its own environmental repercussions. “Transportation actually accounts for huge chunk of greenhouse gas emissions,” Cruz said. “So inducing demand further by encouraging more people to drive will bring, you know, noise pollution, air pollution to all of these communities and obviously, the more people use cars, the larger the contribution of transportation will be to air pollution.”

Cruz added that building PAREX is literally throwing out the initiatives and efforts that has been done for the river, but he did not make it clear if this includes the SMC initiative reported in May this year.

In a press conference last week, Renacimiento Manila, a heritage advocacy group, said that more than 40 existing heritage structures will likely be affected by the construction of the expressway. Meanwhile, former Tourism Secretary Bertie Lim, in the same conference, said PAREX will have a negative impact on the tourism potentials of the areas along Pasig River.



Renacimiento Manila, a heritage advocacy group, said that more than 40 existing heritage structures will likely be affected by the construction of the expressway.


The alternative

One of the more significant voices in the anti-PAREX protests is that of respected urban planner and landscape architect Paulo Alcazaren who has a proposed alternative to the PAREX. His suggestion: build a PARES instead.

PARES, which according to Alcazaren was coined by someone else on Facebook, stands for Pasig River Esplanade. It’s essentially a linear park that will make use of the prescribed 10-meter easement set by the Metro Manila Development Council in 2015.

The idea isn’t exactly new. The concept to build an open space system has been in the master plan for the Pasig River since the start of the PRRC (Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission) interventions in the late 1990s, Alcazaren tells ANCX. “I and my office were the landscape architects working with Palafox Associates then. They were the principal planners and consultants for the PRRC for this and other aspects of the master plan.”

An esplanade on both sides of the 25-kilometer river, according to the urban planner, would ensure the river’s protection and will also provide Manilans with a linear park, which will roughly be as big as the Luneta Park.

How will PARES protect the banks and the river? Alcazaren says suggestions were made years ago by sanitary and environmental engineers to put modular treatment facilities for storm and waste water treatment underneath wider sections of the easements. This will help ensure the river's health. “The easements would also allow for access to the river for maintenance (now currently a challenge because of formal and informal settlers and encroachment),” the architect explains.



View from the old Muelle de Magallanes (now the Muelle de Mexico) looking across to Muelle de Industria and the Binondo skyline, which includes the landmark El Hogar and Juan Luna Bldgs. Illustrations by Paulo Alcazaren


Effects on heritage sites

In a Facebook post, Alcazaren shows comparative illustrations of how the PAREX and PARES would look like when built from Del Pan to Malacañang Palace, one of the most historic areas in Manila with several heritage sites.

His drawings show the view from the old Muelle de Magallanes (now the Muelle de Mexico) looking across to Muelle de Industria and the Binondo skyline, which includes the landmark El Hogar and Juan Luna Bldgs. “If conserved, these sections of Pasig will be as visited by tourists and loved by locals as the Yarra in Melbourne, Boat Quay and Clark Quays in Singapore, and The Bund in Shanghai.”

Alcazaren says regardless which side of the river the alignment is, the construction of the PAREX would impact several important historical structures and sites in Intramuros—Fort Santiago, Maestranza Walls, Juan Arellano's 1939 Chamber of Commerce, Angel Nakpil's National Press Club, Arellano's Jones Bridge and the National Post Office. On the other side, it would be the El Hogar and Juan Luna Buildings and several other structures on the Ermita stretch. In Makati, Pasig, and Taguig, there’s the Manila Boat Club, La Campana Fabrica de Tabacos, Casa Hacienda, Poblacion Park, etc. “PAREX may compromise these structures and sites that are protected by RA No. 10066,” says Alcazaren.


“Traffic is just the symptom of the real and larger problem of the lack of a comprehensive transport system that focuses on moving people and not cars,” Alcazaren points out. Handout photo of PAREX

What PARES won’t do

PARES is not meant to decongest traffic, acknowledges the architect. “Traffic is just the symptom of the real and larger problem of the lack of a comprehensive transport system that focuses on moving people and not cars,” he points out.

What PARES will provide are opportunities for non-motorized transport (NMT)—walking and bike lanes, pedestrian bridges—which were also in the proposed master plan of Palafox way back in 2012.

“These will help address connectivity—the real issue that can impact mobility for all (not just the 15-20% who own a car),” Alcazaren adds.

It will be remembered that Alcazaren and his firm worked on the laudable Iloilo Esplanade, which redeveloped and reinvigorated the neglected riverbank in Iloilo City.

“The nine phases of the Iloilo Esplanade have the same concept as PARES,” says the landscape architect. PGAA Creative Design, Alcazaren’s firm, was a consultant for the first few phases and was also tapped to oversee the rest of the work. The Iloilo Esplanade is over 8 kilometers long and is about 10-15 meters wide.

“Mobility via bikes and walking has provided a much-used alternative for Iloilo in this pandemic,” he points out. “An additional six kilometers of linear park and bike lanes are also embedded in Aquino Boulevard in Iloilo (connected to the Esplanade) and additional bike routes are being laid out in the city by Mayor Jerry Treñas with the collaboration of bike groups of Iloilo (real citizen participation).”

Alcazaren says the Ioilo Esplanade has led to a significant increase in land values along the Ioilo River, and also boosted businesses.

This architect’s proposed alternative to PAREX is PARES | ABS-CBN News

[ice15]

Parex: Brilliant idea badmouthed by Google surfers | The Manila Times

[Wh1stl3r]

Parex: Brilliant idea badmouthed by Google surfers | The Manila Times

Although I agree with some that we need rail a lot more than new roads, more infra is still better than no infra. Specially if the private sector is footing the bill. Still, I'd be wary of anything Tiglao says. He has consistently shown his bias and willingness to twist the truth to save his own skin or serve his interests. Once a liar...

[ice15]

Although I agree with some that we need rail a lot more than new roads, more infra is still better than no infra. Specially if the private sector is footing the bill. Still, I'd be wary of anything Tiglao says. He has consistently shown his bias and willingness to twist the truth to save his own skin or serve his interests. Once a liar...

if that's the case. we already have the LRT-2 for the East

[Wh1stl3r]

if that's the case. we already have the LRT-2 for the East

LRT 2 is great but MRT line 4 would've served a lot more people. Wonder what happened to that project.

[ice15]

LRT 2 is great but MRT line 4 would've served a lot more people. Wonder what happened to that project.

https://www.topgear.com.ph/news/moto...a4354-20210930

[dr. d]

the nagging question behind my brain,
"what about Malacanang palace?"

[ice15]

the nagging question behind my brain,
"what about Malacanang palace?"

I'm thinking same as the MRT (3) along Forbes... high walls.

or someone leaving the office signed it, thinking its the other guy's problem

[viper888]

I have an uncle who was testing his boat on Pasig River

He was eventually stopped by the PSG with guns aimed at him

He was near Malacanang


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ice15]

I have an uncle who was testing his boat on Pasig River

He was eventually stopped by the PSG with guns aimed at him

He was near Malacanang


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

bawal kasi gumalaw kapag red light!

[Wh1stl3r]

https://www.topgear.com.ph/news/moto...a4354-20210930

Ang tagal haha. Halos inupuan lang ng current admin.

[ale828]

Ang tagal haha. Halos inupuan lang ng current admin.

Compared to the previous administration, at least gumagalaw. hehehe

[dr. d]

Ang tagal haha. Halos inupuan lang ng current admin.

i wonder,
planchado na ba ang mga rights of way?
or are they going to iron them out as they go along?
because if the latter is the case,
i imagine the real timeline will easily double or triple...

in my opinion,
they should start digging only after rights of way have been solved. para hindi pa-tigil-tigil ang gawa, not to mention protracted traffic issues.
i remember a previous large project. it took more than twice as long as projected, because rights of way were not earlier settled. as a result, extended horrendous traffic was experienced by all.

years ago,
i was abroad, and taking public transport, i.e., their local version surface-level lrt.
one particular station was situated in the literal middle of nowhere.
i asked, "sir, why is there a station here, in the middle of nowhere?"
"sir, we do not want to be accused of bias. our stations are based on distance and not on business establishment."
in fairness, that geographic area had still lots of empty space.
was he pulling my leg?

[uls]

rewind lang... sabi nagkaroon ng lightbulb moment si ramon ang when he was flying over pasig river tama?

i recall when they were constructing skyways 3 nagkaroon ng delay coz there were property owners who don't wanna sell

(sabi ung sa motel area sa sta mesa correct me if i'm wrong)

so wala choice ang SMC they needed to build on the river nalang to bypass those properties



blessing in disguise

praktisado na ang contractor kayang kaya magtayo ng highway sa ilog

so why not build an entire highway along the river

[ale828]

If the concrete post are in the river isn't the pasig river public property?
Are there right of way issues if you put the concrete post in the river which should be public property?
AFAIK The gov't has the right to destroy any property encroaching on public property.
if any factory or housing that surpasses its area mandated, the gov't can demolish and reclaim it.

[uls]

noong di matapos tapos ang skyway3 sabi ung delay ay dahil may mga may ari ng property ayaw magbenta

napilitan ang SMC umiwas sa mga property at mag tayo sa ilog

yan ang narinig ko di ko alam kung tama pagkarinig ko

[ice15]

Ramon Ang says heritage preservation, sustainable development should coexist | Inquirer

[_Cathy_]

Pinoy tayo, nakaka-hiya maglakad. From the major road, we need a tricycle for the last mile commute..

I'd rather walk than commute. Whenever my officemates and I would have lunch out at the mall they want to take a cab for a 1 kilometer (or even less) distance. It's more on ayaw nila mainitan, ako naman gusto ko naiinitan kasi minsan lang ako maarawan (covered parking ako sa bahay at office) When I had covid I took the Vit D test and in spite of taking tons of supplements, I barely passed sa Vitamin D ko (20 to 30 is low and I am 30.30)

PRE COVID, I always choose covered parking even if it means walking longer and I also don't like switching parking lots often so I would rather walk. Honestly, ngayon ko nga lang narinig yung notion na nakakahiya maglakad