SMC scraps plans to build P100 billion Pasig River tollway

MANILA, Philippines — Diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) will no longer pursue its plan to build a toll road on the Pasig River, succumbing to pressure from opposition groups.

SMC president and CEO Ramon Ang yesterday confirmed that the company is canceling its plan to build the P100-billion Pasig River Expressway (PAREX).

Ang said SMC is heeding public opinion in its decision to cancel the controversial project, as it is faced with opposition from environmental defenders and urban planners.

“I proposed a Pasig River tollway to decongest the east and west (of Metro Manila). However, it was opposed by the people because they said it violates their sensitivities and it looks bad,” Ang said.

“Have you heard us pushing for the project? We no longer did. We are sensitive and we listen to the pulse of the people. We are very sensitive to the opinion of the public,” he added.

Based on the proposal with the Department of Public Works and Highways, SMC will build a 19.37-kilometer expressway above the Pasig River, running from Radial Road 10 and ending in C6 Road.

The project seeks to provide motorists with a toll road between the eastern and western sides of the metro, decongesting the vehicle volume in EDSA, R-10 and C5.

SMC had planned on spending P99.5 billion to build PAREX, of which P95.4 billion will go for civil works and P4.14 billion will be invested in right of way.

SMC had worked on gaining regulatory approval for PAREX, but the company faced opposition from across all fronts. Greenpeace Philippines, for instance, said the expressway will disrupt the water flow in Pasig River, and this may intensify flooding in Metro Manila.

Apart from this, the project was flagged for its possible impact on air and noise pollution in the metro, as it will induce additional demand for automobiles. In turn, groups warned that this could worsen the living conditions in communities beside the Pasig River.

Mobility group Move as One Coalition said there are other alternatives to improve accessibility in Metro Manila without pursuing PAREX, such as enhancing public transport.

The groups also said PAREX would destroy the visibility of some of the cultural heritages in Metro Manila that are located near Pasig River.

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The article was originally published in Phil Star Global and written by Elijah Felice Rosales.