The Metro Manila Development Authority said on Wednesday it has completed the rehabilitation of the Welcome Rotunda-Quezon Avenue Overpass as part of measures to prevent jaywalking and road accident in the area.
The project, according to MMDA chairman Emerson Carlos, is in line with the government’s Adopt-A-Footbridge program under the Public-Private Partnership initiative that involves the private sector help in the rehabilitation and beautification of existing footbridges in the metropolis.
Under the program, private sector partners finance the repair, rehabilitation and improvement of footbridges in Metro Manila for the benefit of pedestrians.
“The beauty of this Adopt-A-Footbridge program is that pedestrian footbridges will now be safer and more comfortable for the public,” said Carlos.
Part of the footbridge improvement is the construction of covered walkway to protect pedestrians from extreme heat and rain. Ornamental plants will also be placed along the bridge span to reduce air pollution.
According to Carlos, proper lightings will also be installed, along with Closed-Circuit Television cameras and 24-hour roving security personnel, as well as provisions for persons with disabilities such as non-skid stairs and pavements. These are to be properly maintained at all times.
“With all these amenities, using the pedestrian footbridges will be a more pleasant experience,” the MMDA chief said.
More than 100 footbridges have been built around Metro Manila. More than half were constructed by the MMDA, while the rest were built by the local government units.
Two years ago, Metro Manila mayors approved the proposal of the MMDA to increase the penalty for jaywalking from P200 to P500 following an increase in cases of jaywalking despite government efforts to educate pedestrians.
The mayors said jaywalking blocks traffic flow and contributes to road accidents in Metro Manila.
Despite the huge amount of taxpayers’ money that had gone into the construction of footbridges, people continued to cross busy streets and dangerous portions of the roads.
The MMDA also observed that undisciplined pedestrians openly disregard pedestrian lanes and warning signages.
Passed in 1995, the anti-jaywalking ordinance imposed by MMDA initially penalized violators with a P150 fine, to be paid within seven days, and required them to attend a seminar and render community service of not more than one day.
The crackdown against jaywalking is being enforced by the agency’s Anti-Jaywalking Unit, wearing red colored shirts.
Failure to pay the fines could send the violator to a maximum of three days in jail.