WHEREAS, it has become imperative to prevent the further deterioration of the Pasig River which has resulted due to the indiscriminate disposal of wastes into the river, due to the lack of proper maintenance and due to the inadequacy of systems of control over the use of the waterways of the river:
WHEREAS, the innate beauty and aesthetic qualities of the Pasig River and its banks remain overshadowed and consequently untapped on account of the continued existence of obstructions and eyesores right along the river and its banks;
WHEREAS, by bringing out its natural and potential beauty through the cleansing of its waters of the clutters of wastes and debris likewise by ridding it of the pollutants that surround it, the Pasig River could become a major tourist attraction, providing a significant source of foreign exchange earnings for the country;
WHEREAS, the Pasig River holds a strong influence on the socio-economic development of the areas around it and that to date this recognized potential has not yet been tapped; and
WHEREAS, the current thrusts of development point to the need to tap the talent resources of the river by improving the carrying characteristics of its waterways and properly controlling its use as drainage and navigational channel to make it a major thoroughfare for maritime transport ;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of the Philippines and pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081, dated September 21, 1972, as amended, do hereby order and decree:
SECTION 1. The Immediate Implementation of the Pasig River Development Program. — This shall be a joint undertaking of the public and private sectors for the primary purpose of developing the Pasig River and its environs within a minimum period of three years to achieve maximum social, economic, and environmental benefits. The developments shall include projects along public works activities like drainage, navigation, tourism, and recreational activities, low and medium cost housing, parks, small-scale industries, and land easements along the river banks.
SEC. 2. Incentives to be Granted. — In order to effect the accelerated, complete and successful implementation of the program and the attainment of its objectives, the following incentives are hereby provided:
SEC. 3. Police Powers. — The Government shall in the course of implementing the Pasig River Development Program be clothed with the following specific police powers in addition to existing police powers presently enjoyed by the National Government:
SEC. 4. Appropriation. — Upon approval of the President, a Trust Fund Account shall be created to finance the Pasig River Development Program and other river works projects of the National Government to be deposited in the National Treasury which shall be generated from the following sources:
SEC. 5. All previous laws, decrees, orders, directives and memoranda issued inconsistent with the above are hereby revoked.
SEC. 6. This Decree shall take effect immediately.
Done in the City of Manila, this 18th day of August, in the year of Our Lord,
nineteen hundred and seventy-three.
(Sgd.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS
President
Republic of the Philippines
By the President: (Sgd.) ALEJANDRO MELCHOR Assistant Executive Secretary