IN the past week, announcements have been made that the Pasig River Expressway (Parex) Project will be approved in October 2021 by President Rodrigo Duterte. Presidential approval of Parex should be placed on hold until an assessment of economic, social and environmental impacts is conducted.

For all major infrastructure projects, whether public or private, a required step is for the project proponent to show that benefits outweigh the various costs and any negative impacts of the project. We don't want projects that benefit a few while causing serious harm.