The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will still need to further study the proposed Pasig River Expressway (PAREx), DENR Secretary Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said on Thursday, June 29.
In an interview during DZRH's Damdaming Bayan, she said that the department needs to consider many factors before giving the green light to start the construction of the expressway.
"Important na ang approach natin, kagaya ng approach natin ngayon sa mga reclamation, ito yung tinatawag na cumulative impact assessment," Loyzaga said.
"Ang important dito ay cumulative yung impact. Hindi isa-isa na ini-evaluate at ina-approve ang mga project na ito," she stressed.
Aside from the impact on the Pasig River, Loyzaga explained that DENR must also look into the effect of PAREx on neighboring areas, including heritage sites, and other infrastructure projects.
"Kailangan lang in a major infrastructure like this, bina-balance yung impact sa environment, sa river mismo, sa kapaligiran in general including air quality, at yung gamit at yung value nung infrastructure," the DENR chief said.
Loyzaga said that DENR has yet to issue an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) for PAREx since the government still seeks additional information in order to do a full assessment of the project
She stressed that the six-lane elevated expressway needs to be 'environmentally sustainable' and 'deliver the greatest public good'.
San Miguel Corp. broke ground for PAREx, a 20-kilometer expressway, in 2022 even though DENR has yet to issue an ECC for the project.
