Ramon Ang says Pasig River Expressway could still push through

Diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corporation (SMC) on Monday said the planned P95-billion Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) could still push through should public concerns be addressed, its president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang said.

Asked about the status of the project, Ang said it is “on hold” and that the company did not send a formal withdrawal with the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), as this could mean violations for the private firm.

“We are addressing ‘yung mga concern. Diba maraming concern, maraming nagsasabi hindi maganda. Maliit, malaki, sinusubukan nating i-address, kaya naka-hold ngayon muna,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Philippine Economic Briefing in Pasay City.

(We are addressing the concerns. Weren't there many concerns, many were saying it would not be good. Small, large, we are trying to address then, so the project is on hold.) 

“Kina-clarify natin ‘yung mga concern ng mga tao. ‘Pag na-clarify natin at mas maraming taong may gusto at it will benefit more people, why not, 'di ba? Ngayon naka-hold na,” he added.

(We are clarifying the people's concerns. If we clarify that more people want it and it will benefit more people, why not? Right now it is on hold.)

This comes as TRB executive director Alvin Carullo said the planned PAREX is "still on the table," as SMC has yet to give confirmation that it is terminating the contract or the project.

Ang in March said the conglomerate was sensitive to concerns, and that it was listening to public opinion and sentiments concerning its infrastructure projects.

The project was seen to be a 19.37-kilometer six-lane elevated road that would run along the banks of the Pasig River, starting from Radial Road 10 in Manila to C-6 Road. Groundbreaking for the project was conducted in September 2021,

Groups have opposed the project, however, citing its potential impact on traffic and the environment, as well as being an eyesore to heritage structures along the banks of the Pasig River.

Ang earlier tried to address criticisms, saying the proposed toll road would not cover the Pasig River, and it would be built along the river’s easement. — BM, GMA Integrated News