We will soon have an expressway running along the banks of the Pasig River. San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is good to go with its P95-billion Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) project.
The government has given its approval to SMC. The latter may now proceed with the 19.37-km and six-lane elevated expressway that will run along the banks of the Pasig River. This road will start from Radial Road 10 in the City of Manila to C-6 road, also known as the future South East Metro Manila Expressway (SEMME) in Taguig.
The Supplemental Toll Operations Agreement (STOA) was signed by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar, Department of Transportation (DoTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade, Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) Executive Director Alvin Carullo, and SMC President Ramon Ang. This agreement serves as approval from the Government.
According to Ramon Ang, SMC will work with the world-renowned environmental planner and green urbanism advocate Architect Felino Palafox Jr. The said architect is acknowledged as the country’s top green urban planner.
“Together with Palafox and Associates, we will build what will be the country’s first sustainable infrastructure, one that will not just be ‘green’, but will have multiple uses and direct environmental, social, and economic benefits to Filipinos,” Ramon Ang said.
He further added that “PAREX will also be for pedestrians and cyclists. It will not just be for motorized transportation and convenience, but also for maintaining our health and well-being. It will not just ‘beautify’ the surroundings–it will rehabilitate the Pasig River and inspire urban renewal in Metro Manila.”
The PAREX project will have three major segments: Segment 1 is from R-10 to Plaza Azul, Manila, Segment 2 from Pandacan to C-5, and Segment 3 from C-5 to C6. It will also be connected to Skyway Stage 3, from Nagtahan to Plaza Azul. Once fully operational, PAREX will serve as the east-west connection, linking up with Skyway 3 and SEMME.
