EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 54
CREATING THE PASIG RIVER REHABILITATION COMMISSION

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 274  
PERTAINING TO THE PRESERVATION, BEAUTIFICATION, IMPROVEMENT AND GAINFUL UTILIZATION OF THE PASIG RIVER, PROVIDING FOR THE REGULATION AND CONTROL OF POLLUTION OF THE RIVER AND ITS BANKS IN ORDER TO ENHANCE ITS DEVELOPMENT, THEREBY MAXIMIZING ITS UTILIZATION FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC PURPOSES.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 65
AMENDING EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 54, SERIES OF 1999

Executive Order No. 54 dated January 6, 1999 as amended by Executive Order No. 65 dated January 19, 1999 created the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) to ensure that the waterway is rehabilitated to its pristine conditions conducive to transport, recreation and tourism. The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission started its operation on January 1999 but actual disbursement of funds started only on May of the same year.

The Commission, which is attached to the Office of the President is composed of the Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management as the Chairman, the Chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority as the Co-Chairman, and twelve members Secretaries and Heads or their representatives, from the Office of the Executive Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Public Works and Highways, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, Department of Tourism, Department of Transportation and Communication, Department of Finance, Department of National Defense, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Trade and Industry and five private sectors namely, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, GMA Network, Inc., Clean and Green Foundation, Inc., Unilever Philippines and Ms. Mikaela Maria Antonia C. Jaworski. As of December 31, 2001, PRRC had the personnel complement of 35.

Among the powers and functions of the Commission are:

1. Draw up an updated master plan on the rehabilitation of the Pasig River, taking into account its potential for transportation, recreation and tourism;

2. Ensure that the easements provided in the Civil Code and other related laws are observed including all the esteros and waterways that drain into the Pasig River;

3. Integrate and coordinate all programs related to the rehabilitation of the Pasig River, such as, but not limited to the Pasig River Development Program (P.D. 274), Proclamation No. 704, series of 1995 and the Pasig River Environment and Rehabilitation Sector Development Program, a continuation of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Program;

4. Abate the dumping of untreated industrial wastewater and sewerage into the river including all acts and omission in violation of the Pollution Control Law and other related laws;

5. Relocate settlers, squatters and other unauthorized or unlawful occupants along its banks;

6. Undertake civil works for the purpose, such as dredging, clearing of structures, cleaning of the River and all esteros and waterways that drain into it.