The Pasig River is a river in the Philippines running right through the heart of Manila. It flows from Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay. The Estero de Paco is a part of the river and was obviously devastated and immensely polluted by the community around there. During the World War II, a public market was opened along the edge of the Estero. And so the area became a bustling center of community and commerce which caused unstoppable water pollution. All vendors and residents along that river threw their wastes at the river. As happened, Informal settlers began to live there and further deteriorating the water quality.

The Estero experienced a direct discharge of wastes into it. There is much polluted water and even toxicants are present. Poor drainage and upsetting human behavior killed the Estero?s life and the crystal clear water turned into black and stinky smelling water covered with plastics and other non-biodegradable materials.

However, the hope to restore the Estero didn?t die. Over a 10-month period, The Paco Market revived its beauty and the ?river-warriors? cleaned the river through dredging.The informal Settlers were relocated to Laguna. The shore was planted with Vetiver grass, a plant that can grow a 6-feet long roots. It was to prevent erosion in the Estero.

The Paco market has now been refurbished to be environmentally sustainable. Center was established to provide information and action for community rehabilitation. The market has natural lighting and no air-conditioning to conserve energy. All vendors are charged rent to ensure that the market is able to sustain itself but not enough to cause a burden. The market sells products produced by the relocated squatters providing a source of income for those people.

It might be very impossible to think that we can restore the Estero de Paco but it happened because of the ensured coordination of the LGU?s and NGO?s. A sustainable development was possible because of the good governance and the local communities were involved with this kind of goal. Thereafter, everything is possible if everyone will help.