Pasig River

For the river in Central Luzon buried by the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption, see Pasig–Potrero River.

Pasig River
Pasig River in Manila in 2019
Drainage basin map of the Pasig River
Pasig River is located in Luzon
Pasig River
Pasig River mouth
Pasig River is located in Philippines
Pasig River
Pasig River (Philippines)
Native nameIlog Pasig (Tagalog)
Location
CountryPhilippines
Region
Cities
Physical characteristics
SourceLaguna de Bay
 • locationTaguig/Taytay, Rizal
 • coordinates14°31′33″N 121°06′33″E / 14.52583°N 121.10917°E / 14.52583; 121.10917
MouthManila Bay
 • location
Manila
 • coordinates
14°35′40″N 120°57′20″E / 14.59444°N 120.95556°E / 14.59444; 120.95556
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length25.2 km (15.7 mi)
Basin size4,678 km2 (1,806 sq mi)[1]
Width 
 • average90 m (300 ft)[2]
Depth 
 • minimum0.5 m (1.6 ft)[2]
 • maximum5.5 m (18 ft)[2]
Discharge 
 • minimum12 m3/s (420 cu ft/s)[2]
 • maximum275 m3/s (9,700 cu ft/s)[2]
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • left
  • Estero de Provisor
  • Estero de Tanque
  • Estero de Pandacan
  • Pateros River
 • right
  • Estero de Binondo
  • Estero dela Reina
  • Estero de Uli-Uli
  • Estero de San Miguel
  • Estero de Paco
  • San Juan River
  • Balisahan Creek
  • Marikina River
  • Napindan River
Bridges20
Map

The Pasig River (Filipino: Ilog Pasig; Spanish: Río Pásig) is a water body in the Philippines that connects Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay. Stretching for 25.2 kilometers (15.7 mi), it bisects the Philippine capital of Manila and its surrounding urban area into northern and southern halves. Its major tributaries are the Marikina River and San Juan River. The total drainage basin of the Pasig River, including the basin of Laguna de Bay, covers 4,678 square kilometers (1,806 sq mi).[1]

The Pasig River is technically a tidal estuary, as the flow direction depends upon the water level difference between Manila Bay and Laguna de Bay. During the dry season, the water level in Laguna de Bay is low with the river's flow direction dependent on the tides. During the wet season, when the water level of Laguna de Bay is high, the flow is reversed towards Manila Bay.

The Pasig River used to be an important transport route and source of water for Spanish Manila. Due to negligence and industrial development, the river suffered a rapid decline in the second half of the 20th century and was declared biologically dead in 1990.[3] Two decades after that declaration, however, a renaturation program designed to revive the river has seen the return of life to the river, including eight fish species, 39 species of birds, and 118 species of trees and other vegetation.[4][5] As a result, the Pasig River received the Asian River Prize by the International River Foundation (IRF) in 2019.[3]

The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) was a Philippine government agency established to oversee rehabilitation efforts for the river from 1999 until it was abolished in November 2019. Rehabilitation efforts are also aided by private sector organizations through raising funds or assisting river cleanups.

  1. ^ a b Tuddao Jr., Vicente B. (September 21, 2011). "Water Quality Management in the Context of Basin Management: Water Quality, River Basin Management and Governance Dynamics in the Philippines" (PDF). www.wepa-db.net. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e "House Bill No. 5641" (PDF). May 7, 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Process of resurrection continues for once-dead Pasig River". April 20, 2019.
  4. ^ Villamor, Carmelita, et al. (February 2009) "Biodiversity Assessment of Pasig River and Its Tributaries: Ecosystems Approach (Phase One)."Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (DENR-ERDB).
  5. ^ Senior, Ira Karen Apanay (August 15, 2009). "Pasig river is feeding ground for exotic species, study shows". The Manila Times. Retrieved April 25, 2022 – via PressReader.