There’s been a lot of back and forth regarding San Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) proposal over the past few years. Now, it seems those who are opposing the infrastructure project can finally put their sentiments to rest.
According to a report by ABS-CBN News, SMC president and CEO Ramon S. Ang himself said that the company will no longer continue building PAREX. “If the public thinks that it is not good to the public welfare, hindi namin gagawin ’yun,” he said.
MORE ON PAREX:
PAREX: A bridge too far, or the missing piece of the infrastructure puzzle?
After completing Skyway Stage 3, SMC now focuses on Pasig River Expressway
You may recall that at the start, RSA kept assuring the public that PAREX would not ruin Pasig River and not be anti-poor. We wonder what may have truly swayed the company to go back on its decision, because even in 2022, SMC was still reaffirming to the public that it remains committed to building the expressway and intends to do so sustainably.
Not that it matters much anymore, because all we know is that the proposed 19.4km, six-lane elevated tollway project will no longer push through. What we’re not sure of, however, is if the Pasig River rehab being done in preparation for the expressway will also be discontinued. In any case, there are still other government agencies working to clean up the river, so the work to rehabilitate and revive the watercourse continues.
What do you guys think? Is SMC right for scrapping PAREX? Sound off in the comments.
