The Metro Manila Development Authority announced on Friday it has suspended the operation of the Pasig River Ferry system due to carpets of water lilies that clogged the river from Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City to Lawton in Manila.
“Ferry service is temporarily closed today, June 23, 2017. River is not navigable and not safe to travel for commuters due to excessive water lily. Please wait for announcement of resumption. Thank you,” the MMDA said in its advisory.
The water lilies that clogged the river during the rainy season came all the way from Laguna Lake and it has long been the problem affecting the operation of the ferry river system since the time of former MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino who served under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.
MMDA general manager Thomas Orbos said the water lilies entangle the ferry’s propeller, preventing the boats from traveling at normal speed. He said propellers have to be elevated so that tangled water lilies and even pieces of trash can be removed.
“Our present cleanup resources is not enough to totally regulate its [water lilies] proliferation,” said Orbos, who earlier called for an interagency approach to curb the problem.
The interagency approach would involve concerned government agencies and local government officials.
“This will include the Pasig River Rehabilitation Center, Laguna Lake Development Authority, as well as LGU affected, including Rizal and Laguna.”
Last Monday, the MMDA also decided to operate half-line, carrying passengers only from PUP station in Manila to San Joaquin station in Pasig City, to give way for its scheduled boat repairs and river clearing operations.
At present, the ferry system covers 12 other terminals in Pinagbuhatan, and San Joaquin in Pasig City; Guadalupe and Valenzuela in Makati City; Hulo in Mandaluyong City; PUP Sta. Mesa, Sta. Ana, Lambingan, Lawton, Escolta, and Plaza Mexico, all in Manila.
The system operates from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from Mondays to Sundays.
The MMDA revived the Pasig River system in 2014 as a means to decongest Metro Manila’s major roads affected by road construction projects of the government.
The program also aimed to boost Metro Manila’s tourism and can be used for disaster and rescue purposes as well.
Reports showed that the government stopped the Pasig River Ferry operations in 2011 following complaints from passengers about the long waiting time at the terminals and the river’s foul smell.