Title:

A study on the current state of the Microbial ecosystem of Pasig river and its effects on the river and
the environment around it

Rationale:

The river Pasig, over the course of many, many years, has offered great opportunities to the Filipino
people, greatly affecting the lives of many who depend on it for food, water, livelihoods such as farming
fishing and trade (Sicat ,2023) connecting multiple communities stretching from Manila bay all the way
to Laguna de Bay. Even to this day, the river continues to provide that connection, offering commuters a
quicker travel to their destinations via the ferry rides that they offer along its waters. But as time goes
on, pollution slowly but surely consumed the once clean waters many used to know, affecting not only
the wildlife that used to thrive, the people who live by the river are greatly affected by the pollution that
has built up in the river. This is due to the fact that it is rare in the country to have the proper sewage
disposal and treatment plants available, causing wastewater to go untreated (‘water pollution Pasig
river in the Philippines’ 2023), though rehabilitation efforts have been made, partnering with Paris to aid
in the endeavor of cleaning the river, it has yet to be proven that these efforts have made a difference to
the quality and state that the river is in (‘Transforming Pasig River’ 2023) This then leads to the
proliferation of certain bacteria and other microorganisms to build up, though some of these could
benefit the river, others could cause harm to the people that live and rely on the river as well as the
common Flora present in its water. Thus, this research aims to study the different bacteria and
microorganism present in the river to find solutions to the ever-growing problem of the untreated
wastewater, help the river be able to recover and once again provide for those who depend on its
bounties as well as finding new ways to help maintain this historic and vital part of the country’s
economy, culture and history.