MANILA—Pasig River, declared biologically dead in the 1990s, has won the first Asia RiverPrize award and is now "instagrammable" according to the government.

The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) received the award Wednesday from the International River Foundation (IRF) at the 21st International Riversymposium in Sydney.

The Pasig River bested Yangtze River in China in terms of effective river restoration and management, the PRRC said in a statement.

"PRRC and its partners' river restoration and management efforts have effectively brought the Pasig River back to life," the IRF said.

"These efforts have included delivering quality projects, programs, activities, and advocacies in easement recovery, riverbank development, waste and water quality management, and public awareness."

Pasig River, which traverses the cities of Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Taguig and the municipality of Taytay, Rizal, is still under rehabilitation to restore and improve its water quality.

The PRRC earlier revealed plans to put up a multi-modal transport system, which includes the resumption of the Pasig River Ferry Service and construction of an elevated railway system on the riverbanks.