Manila: A government campaign to restore the polluted Pasig River gathered steam with authorities launching efforts to clean the waterways and thousands of families living on the river banks being relocated.

According to Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza, the clean-up drive has been intensified with some 7,758 households being moved to six designated relocation sites.

The displaced families are being rebabilitated in areas outside Metro Manila such as Montalban and San Isidro in Rizal, Taguig City, Trece Martires and General Trias in Cavite.

Atienza said the government is taking all efforts to make life better for the relocated families. "All resettlement sites established by the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) include a full range of community amenities, including schools, health centres, multi-purpose halls, day-care centres, livelihood opportunities and recreation facilities," he said.

Long reduced to a virtual cesspool of Metro Manila's effluent waste, the Pasig is fast returning to its former self as the lifeline of Manila and its riverside communities.

Following the relocation of the settlers, Atienza said, both sides of the river would be transformed into environmental preservation areas (EPAs) that would facilitate the creation of parks, walkways and green belts.

As regards the Pasig river ferry service which the PRRC started in 2007, Atienza said a network of 10 main and four satellite ferry stations had helped the public immensely.

"The airconditioned ferry service has been providing the commuting public with a reliable, safe and efficient transport system while serving as an alternative transport corridor to decongest road trafiic in Metro Manila."