Pasig River Ferry suspended anew as waste clogs Metro Manila’s river route

MMDA halts operations as floating garbage disrupts navigation.

The Pasig River Ferry Service was temporarily suspended after authorities reported a sudden increase in floating garbage along the river, which affected ferry operations and caused repeated disruptions to boat movement.

In an advisory from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), officials said the buildup of waste had made navigation unsafe for ferry vessels, prompting a halt in operations while cleanup crews work to clear affected sections of the river.

The Pasig River Ferry, which serves as a free alternative transport route connecting key points across Metro Manila, is often impacted by seasonal rains and upstream waste flow that carry debris into the waterway.

Reasons for the operational freeze

The suspension is part of the ongoing challenge in the rehabilitation of the Pasig River, which has long struggled with pollution despite decades of cleanup efforts and government-led restoration programs.

Studies and environmental reports have noted that much of the river’s waste load comes from surrounding urban areas, informal settlements, and industrial areas, contributing to persistent water quality issues across the river system.

The ferry system itself has been positioned as part of Metro Manila’s push to decongest road traffic by shifting commuters to waterways, offering free rides across stations stretching from Manila to Pasig and Makati.

 

 

The Pasig River Ferry is suspended anew as thick blankets of floating garbage block the waterway.