Today I Learned: Why There’s a Push to Declare the Pasig River a National Cultural Treasure

As debates surrounding the proposed Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) continue, a broad coalition of heritage advocates, government representatives, academic institutions, business groups, conservation organizations, and cultural stakeholders convened on May 25, 2026, at the Manila Metropolitan Theater Grand Ballroom to advance discussions on the proposed declaration of the Pasig River as a National Cultural Treasure (NCT).

The coalition emphasized that its efforts are being pursued independently of ongoing opposition to PAREX. Rather than organizing specifically to block the project, the group seeks to advance the formal recognition of the Pasig River under the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 (Republic Act No. 10066). Such a declaration would acknowledge the river's exceptional historical, cultural, scientific, and national significance while strengthening legal and regulatory protections over the river corridor.

Under Philippine heritage law, a National Cultural Treasure is a unique cultural property possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic, and/or scientific value that is highly significant to the nation. Stakeholders said this designation would subject major developments affecting the river and its cultural landscape to greater legal, procedural, and public scrutiny. While not automatically prohibiting infrastructure projects such as PAREX or those that may be initiated by local governments along the stretch of Pasig, an NCT declaration could cast a wider net of regulatory processes. They could include more extensive heritage review and increased public accountability for interventions that may alter the river and its surrounding cultural environment.

The consultation builds upon an earlier petition initiated by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), as well as a series of focus group discussions and preparatory meetings conducted in April 2026. Organized by ICOMOS Philippines and the Heritage Conservation Society, the initiative seeks to position the Pasig River not merely as a waterway, but as a central heritage corridor that has shaped Philippine history, urban development, and cultural identity.

Dr. Cheek S. Fadriquela, President of ICOMOS Philippines, described the Pasig River as the “builder of Manila,” highlighting its role as a historic center of trade, mobility, and community life. He said ongoing rehabilitation efforts should be complemented by formal recognition of the river’s cultural and heritage significance as a living repository of collective memory.

Meanwhile, co-convenor, Atty. Mark Evidente outlined four key grounds for declaring the Pasig River a National Cultural Treasure: its foundational role in Philippine history, influence on urban development and civic architecture, impact on cultural identity, and outstanding cultural value. He also cited the river’s links to early Philippine history, including references associated with the Laguna Copperplate Inscription, and its role in the growth of early commerce in Manila. 

“The river is a multidimensional cultural landscape,” he said, “shaping urban development, spirituality, transportation, and civic life.”

Maritime heritage advocate Art Valdez highlighted the Voyage of the Balangay initiative, emphasizing the revival of Filipino maritime consciousness. He noted that Philippine waterways historically functioned as national arteries of trade and mobility, and that river journeys today still reveal the Pasig River’s enduring cultural resonance. 

The Pasig River’s historic role as a vital transport and logistics corridor connecting major urban centers should not be forgotten, as it has long served as a link to communities such as Santa Ana in Manila and Taytay.   

Various stakeholders also renewed calls for sustainable water transport systems to help ease traffic congestion and restore the river’s navigability.  They emphasized that rehabilitation efforts must go beyond beautification to address persistent issues such as sewage disposal, solid waste management, sanitation, and informal settlements, noting that improved water quality is crucial to public health and community welfare. 

Meanwhile, environmental advocates and urban planners also called for ecological restoration measures, including the reintroduction of mangroves and aquatic vegetation to enhance flood resilience, expand urban green spaces, and reconnect communities that share the stretch of  river.

Since November 2025, a petition supporting the initiative has been lodged with the NCCA, signed by leaders of ICOMOS Philippines, the Heritage Conservation Society, and individual experts and advocates in the heritage sector. 

Atty. Evidente acknowledged that turning the petition into law will require political will, funding, and coordination among national and local governments. He emphasized that heritage conservation should go beyond strict preservation, advocating adaptive planning through zoning, buffer zones, and integrated urban development. Discussions also highlighted the need for archaeological research, adaptive reuse, and stronger urban identity. Intramuros Administration, through one its archaeologists, noted that much of the Pasig River’s historical and cultural significance remains insufficiently studied.

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Concerns over large-scale infrastructure proposals, including the proposed PAREX project, were strongly raised. Stakeholders urged that any development affecting the river must be evaluated not only for transport efficiency but also for its ecological, hydrological, and cultural impacts.

As of today, PAREX remains in regulatory limbo, with no construction, no approved timeline, and continuing review and redesign discussions.

In 2024, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) said it was no longer pursuing the project in its original form due to public opposition, a move widely seen as a step back. Later clarifications, however, stated that while the original design was “scrapped,” the proposal itself remains “on hold” for further study. Meanwhile, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) continues to treat PAREX as an active proposal under evaluation, leaving it neither fully cancelled nor moving forward.

Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) President Ar. Giuseppe Luigi Abcede stressed that Philippine history is inseparable from the Pasig River, describing it as deeply woven into the country’s cultural identity, patterns of urban development, and systems of mobility.

“This initiative to declare the river a National Cultural Treasure is part of a wider effort to safeguard its enduring legacy,” said Abcede.