After the grand launch last year, it is nice to see that the work has continued for what is officially known as the Pasig River Esplanade as part of the greater Pasig River Urban Development Project from where we last left off at Jones Bridge.
More than a year later, we finally witnessed the result of this rehabilitation with the Pasig River Esplanade making its way all the way up to the area of Fort Santiago.
From Jones Bridge, a Spanish-style building was constructed which housed some food stalls and small retailers. The roof of the structure also serves as a viewing deck where visitors can have a better view of the Pasig River and its surroundings.
The rehabilitation also did wonders to the area of Plaza Mexico and the little park near the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge as they were integrated seamlessly into the greater esplanade complex with more visitors being able to appreciate it.
But perhaps the most transformative aspect of this new phase of the project was reinforcing the link of the river to Intramuros with the esplanade providing a link for the first time between the Pasig River and Fort Santiago with an entrance gate to the fort if you’re coming from the esplanade.
It’s easy to forget how closely linked the river and Intramuros for much of the city’s history. Back in the Spanish colonial period, the old port of Manila was located right where the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge was. In fact, it is the very reason why the Intendencia or Customs House was built in that area in the first place. And even if the larger Port of Manila was built during the American colonial period, that part of Intramuros remained a bustling center for river commerce.
Unfortunately, World War II destroyed the tangible structures that served to remind this link between the Walled City and Intramuros. Eventually structures such as the Bureau of Immigration building and the urban decay that followed eventually obscured the history until the esplanade came about.
Beyond the restoration of this historic link, the Pasig River Esplanade transformed the Walled City in new ways, providing a new, fresh perspective and appreciation of the city and its historic landmarks.
The only thing left in the equation is the full reopening and utilization of the Maestranza complex after years of intermittent usage. Here’s hoping the development of this part of Intramuros finally gets going.
