00:00They say hello, she goes to Dubai.
00:02First Lady Lisa Louise Araneta Marcos took to the friendly skies for the Mideast Jewel
00:09City of Dubai to join this year's World Government Summit and laid out government's priority
00:15agenda of keeping the environment clean, citing the ongoing rehabilitation of the Pasig River.
00:22As a result of her participation, she drew a US$20 million endowment from her host for
00:29diversification of her Pasig River Rehab Project, care of a private-public partnership program
00:36that our Kenneth Paciente dwells on this report.
00:41At the World's Government Summit 2025 in Dubai, First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos proudly
00:46highlighted the administration's achievements in environmental improvements.
00:50She specifically mentioned the rehabilitation of the historic Pasig River, which was made
00:55possible through an inter-agency initiative established by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
01:01Unfortunately, no one really took care of the river and its environs.
01:07And over the years, it has become a site for sore eyes.
01:10It was polluted, dirty, stinky, and every other adjective you could think of.
01:16The First Lady also witnessed the signing of several agreements between the Department
01:20of Environment and Natural Resources and the Clean Rivers Organization.
01:25During the event, the UAE donated US$20 million to support the continuation of the Pasig River
01:30Bigyang Buhay Muli project.
01:33And now, thanks to the assistance provided by the UAE, especially Clean Rivers, which
01:40is an Earth Zayed initiative, thank you very much again, we just signed the MOU earlier.
01:49We will be able to clean our river and hopefully make it a showcase, much like the Chao Phraya
01:55River in Bangkok or the Sien in Paris.
01:59The First Lady emphasized and knew the importance of public-private partnerships in making such
02:04initiatives a reality.
02:06These are but three examples of how genuine cooperation between government and the private
02:12sector can help achieve change that is sustainable, meaningful, and inclusive.
02:20As I've always said, government cannot do it alone.
02:24We need to work closely with the private sector if we are going to make a meaningful change.
02:30The First Lady also highlighted the Lab for All program, which aims to provide medical
02:34services to Filipinos, especially in remote areas.
02:38From PTV Manila, Kenneth Paciente, Balitang Pambansa.
