PAREX will not impact heritage sites in Intramuros, Ang says

The debate surrounding the proposed Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) isn’t about to end anytime soon. Now, project proponent San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is taking the time to address some of the concerns raised against the planned expressway. 

SMC clarifies that the basic alignment for PAREX will avoid the walled city of Intramuros

According to SMC President and COO Ramon Ang, the company has mostly left the talking to opponents of the project, as he believes that people have the right to be skeptical, if not outright critical. “We listen to valid opinions and points, but we just can’t let outright lies pass,” he said.  

One of the supposed misconceptions Ang refers to is the belief that PAREX will adversely affect heritage sites in Intramuros, Manila. He cited an image circulating in social media depicting PAREX as being aligned alongside Intramuros, which means that several heritage sites will either be covered or dismantled as a result. 

The picture is described as coming from SMC, a charge that Ang denies. “The image did not come from us,” he clarified, adding that PAREX will be aligned along Binondo instead, as agreed upon with the government. “Like many who oppose the project, we are also Filipinos who value our heritage sites, especially Intramuros,” emphasized Ang, noting that SMC helped in the restoration of the Manila Cathedral a few years ago. 

Urban planner Paulo Alcazaren proposes esplanades on the riverbanks in lieu of PAREX [Image: Paulo Alcazaren FB page]

He explains that placing the alignment opposite Intramuros avoids any significant impact to the historical walled city and allows PAREX to showcase heritage sites to tourists. “The area will also become more accessible to more Filipinos, via the planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system,” Ang adds, which will complement vehicle lanes as well as dedicated facilities for pedestrians and bicycle users.  

The SMC boss admits that while the basic alignment for PAREX already avoids Intramuros, it is not yet final. Critics cite the Arroceros Forest Park as one of the locations that will be affected by the infrastructure, and he says that this can be remedied by either raising the expressway, lowering it, or moving it altogether. According to Ang, this is proof that PAREX’s design and alignment can be adapted as required. 

Architect Paulo Alcazaren earlier voiced his concern that PAREX will compromise historical structures along the Intramuros side. These include Fort Santiago, Maestranza Walls, Jones Bridge, and the National Post Office. Meanwhile, he says that the El Hogar and Juan Luna Buildings will be among those affected if PAREX were to be aligned on the Ermita side.  

The urban planner is instead pushing for an esplanade or linear park as an alternative along the Pasig River’s banks, citing an earlier master plan for the waterway developed by the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission or PRRC in the late 1990s. Alcazaren says that his group worked on the esplanade plan along with Palafox Associates, headed by fellow renowned architect Felino 'Jun' Palafox whose name is currently being attached to PAREX. As of this writing, Palafox has not yet finalized his commitment to the SMC project.      

SMC President Ramon Ang has pledged to release images in the coming weeks that will show the real scope of PAREX

For his part, Ang assures the public that his company is taking all valid concerns into account in the ongoing Detailed Engineering Design phase, where PAREX’s features will be finalized to present a better picture of the project.

“In the coming weeks, we will present visuals of what this infrastructure will look like and we assure you it will be adaptive, inclusive, and ecologically resilient benefitting not just a few, but all of us,” Ang said. 

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