First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos emphasized that the ongoing Pasig River rehabilitation program is designed to deliver comprehensive urban development rather than serving merely as an environmental cleanup effort.
Following a September 2 meeting with the Pasig River Inter-Agency group to review progress and chart upcoming phases, Araneta-Marcos shared her vision for transforming the historic waterway into a vibrant public space.
“What I love most about this project is that it goes beyond simply cleaning a river. It’s about creating better spaces for our people, reconnecting communities, and bringing Pasig River back to life,” she said on September 5.
While acknowledging steady progress, she noted that significant work lies ahead to complete the vision for the riverway.
“There’s still much work to be done, but every meeting, every improvement, and every bit of cooperation brings us a little closer to the Pasig River we all dream of seeing,” she said.
Araneta-Marcos has served as a primary champion of the initiative—dubbed Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli—since its establishment alongside the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development in 2023. The master plan aims to convert the river corridor into a thriving hub for eco-tourism, economic opportunity, and inter-city transit.
Her efforts have also garnered international support. During the World Governments Summit in Dubai in February 2025, she facilitated a memorandum of understanding between the Philippine government and UAE-based non-profit Clean Rivers.
Backed by a $20-million donation from Erth Zayed Philanthropies, the partnership focuses on mitigating waste pollution and building sustainable economic opportunities for riverbank communities.