PA 152 - URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING

#NoToPAREX #IlogPasiglahin
Axalan, Castro, Perez, Sy
OUTLINE

Introduction – Overview and Thesis Statement

Fact # 1 – PAREX will kill Pasig River, its surrounding environment, and our heritage
Fact # 2 – PAREX will worsen—not solve—traffic congestion
Fact # 3 – PAREX creates more economic inequality
Solution – #PARES Alternative Pasig River Development Plan
Introduction

ABOUT PASIG RIVER AND THE

RISE OF PAREX IN MANILA
#NoToPAREX #IlogPasiglahin
Introduction – About Pasig River and the Rise of PAREX in Manila

About Pasig River

The Pasig River is “a testament to cultural and historical
value that it holds for the people of Metro Manila.”
The river is used as a mode of transportation for goods
and commuters. It also acts as a natural waterway that
channels rainwater and excess waters during heavy
rainfalls and typhoons.

Sicat (2023)
Introduction – About Pasig River and the Rise of PAREX in Manila

The Rise of PAREX in Manila

PAREX will be a 19.37 kilometer elevated expressway which will traverse the
entirety of the Pasig River from Radial Road 10 in Manila to C-6 Road.
3 major segments (Segment 1 from R-10 to Skyway 3 Plaza Azul, Manila; Segment
2 from Skyway 3 San Juan River to C-5, and Segment 3 from C-5 to C-6.)
Estimated to cost P95.4 billion which will be fully funded by San Miguel
Corporation.

San Miguel Corporation

Infrastructure (2021);
Remitio (2021)
Introduction – Map of Parex
Introduction – Overview and Thesis Statement

Thesis Statement:

PAREX will only contribute to more harm than good. If we want more sustainable cities,
we must face the fact that we need to improve our transportation system for a healthy
lifestyle. Adding more express ways for private vehicles will never be the solution.
Fact # 1

PAREX WILL KILL PASIG RIVER,

THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT,
AND OUR HERITAGE
#NoToPAREX #IlogPasiglahin
Fact # 1 – PAREX will kill Pasig River, the surrounding
environment, and our heritage

PAREX will kill the

surrounding environment
Induced Demand
more roads = more traffic congestion = higher
concentration of air and noise pollution
more cars = more greenhouse gas emissions.

Pasig River’s Productivity

The immediate lack of sunlight will ultimately
deteriorate the food chain underwater, such as
plankton, species of fish, and other forms of
vegetation, as mentioned by Advocates of Science
and Technology for the People (AGHAM).

(YACAP, 2022) & (Mangaluz, 2023)

Fact # 1 – PAREX will kill Pasig River, the surrounding
environment, and our heritage

PAREX will kill our Heritage

Urban planner and landscape architect Paulo Alcazaren
PAREx will affect the sites in Intramuros, such as Fort
Santiago, the Chamber of Commerce, the National
Press Club, Jones Bridge, and the National Post Office.

(ANCX, 2021)
Fact # 2

PAREX WILL WORSEN

TRAFFIC CONGESTION
#NoToPAREX #IlogPasiglahin
Fact # 2 – PAREX will worsen traffic congestion

Highways promotes urban

sprawl: Induced Demand
Building more roads and adding more highway
lanes promotes urban sprawl, leading to the
dispersion of businesses, residences, and
workplaces, thereby stimulating increased
vehicular travel and prolonging the commutes
of numerous individuals (Sisson, 2020).

Building more highways paves the way for a

phenomenon called “Induced Demand,”
increasing the supply of something (like
roads) generates a higher demand of that
thing (Mann, 2014).
Fact # 3

PAREX WIDENS
ECONOMIC INEQUALITY
#NoToPAREX #IlogPasiglahin
Fact # 3 – PAREX widens economic inequality

PAREX for whom?

PAREX will only benefit the rich and will
drive more people to buy cars/vehicles
that only results
PAREX will sure affect homes and
livelihoods upon its construction process
PAREX is the epitome that our government
only prioritizes people who have cars,
rather than the commuters, we can see
this through budget prioritizations

Move As One Coalition. (2021, May 26)

Solution

#PARES ALTERNATIVE PASIG

RIVER DEVELOPMENT PLAN
#NoToPAREX #IlogPasiglahin
Solution – #PARES Alternative Pasig River Development Plan

#PARES Pasig River Esplanade

A linear park that will make use of the
prescribed 10-meter easement set by the
Metro Manila Development Council in 2015.
Modular treatment facilities for storm and
waste water treatment underneath wider
sections of the easements is present.
Promotes tourism
Would only cost 1.5 billion pesos to develop
both sides of the 25 kilometer long
Provides opportunities for non-motorized
transport (NMT)—walking and bike lanes,
pedestrian bridges
Boost local businesses within the esplanade

ANCX Staff. (2021, October 5)

Solution – #PARES Alternative Pasig River Development Plan

Improving the transportation system

Africa, S. (2019, October 28)

Verkade T., & Brömmelstroet, M. (2022) ‌Girard et.al (2016)

Solution – #PARES Alternative Pasig River Development Plan

Iloilo Esplanade
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https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351850054_Move_Peo Mangaluz, J. (2023, June 27). DENR still probing possible Expressway construction may begin early 2022. CNN
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_2021 environmental-impact-of-parex g-River-Expressway-construction-may-start-2022.html
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alternative to PAREX is PARES. ABS-CBN News; ABS-CBN News. more pro-people and river-friendly, says architect. ABS-CBN News. Be a Bad Idea, According to an Urban Planner. Spot.Ph.
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proposed-alternative-to-parex-is-pares Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines. (2022, February river-expressway-parex-a833-20211001-lfrm
Verkade T., & Brömmelstroet, M. (2022). Movement: How To Take 22). The paradox of injustice behind PAREX. Bendaña, H. (2021, September 27). Stop the proposed
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https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/23 waterway-of-cultural-significance Bigger Roads Actually Makes Traffic Worse. WIRED;
75Mobilizing%20Sustainable%20Transport.pdf San Miguel Corporation Infrastructure. (2021). Project Description WIRED. https://www.wired.com/2014/06/wuwt-traffic-
Africa, S. (2019, October 28). Solving the NCR mass transport for Scoping: Pasig River Expressway Project. San Miguel induced-demand/
crisis. IBON Foundation. https://www.ibon.org/solving-the-ncr- Corporation. https://eia.emb.gov.ph/wp- Punongbayan, J. (2016, November 19). Carmaggedon
mass-transport-crisis/ content/uploads/2021/07/PDS-Pasig-River-Expressway-Project.pdf redux: Will building more roads solve our traffic
problems? RAPPLER.
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-
leaders/152909-carmaggedon-redux-more-roads-
traffic/
SIGN THE PETITION HERE #NoToPAREX #IlogPasiglahin ‌Sisson, P. (2020, March 6). Expanding highways and
building more roads actually makes traffic worse.
Curbed; Curbed.
We are concerned citizens, taxpayers, and organizations who disagree with Mr. Ang https://archive.curbed.com/2020/3/6/21166655/highw
(SMC), and we oppose PAREX. We take this stand for Filipinos past, present, and future ay-traffic-congestion-induced-demand
Leighton Walter Kille. (2014, November 18). Fundamental
and for all citizens of the world who believe that the Pasig River is a living entity that law of road congestion: Evidence from U.S. cities - The
deserves protection and respect. The PAREX STOA is the Pasig River’s death sentence. Journalist’s Resource. The Journalist’s Resource.
https://journalistsresource.org/economics/fundament
al-law-road-congestion-evidence-u-s-cities/