The Metro Manila Development Authority will construct a P9.7-million pedestrian footbridge to prevent jaywalking and road accident—factors that contribute to traffic problems along Ninoy Aquino Avenue in Parañaque City.
Noemie Recio, MMDA-Traffic Engineering Office director, said the footbridge project is situated along Pascor Drive near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. She added the bridge will be built with energy saving, solar-powered lighting system.
“The project is still in the bidding process. We will install polar power lights in the footbridge because Chairman (Francis) Tolentino is introducing the use of solar power lights to save energy and money,” Recio said.
The MMDA is expected to complete the project on or before December this year.
Recio said the construction of the new footbridge is a priority project of the agency, adding that Ninoy Aquino Avenue is an accident-prone area and cases of jaywalking are rampant .
More than 100 footbridges had been built around Metro Manila. At least half were constructed by the MMDA, while the rest were built by the local government units.
Last year, Metro Manila mayors approved the proposal of the MMDA to increase the penalty against jaywalking from P200 to P500 following reports that the numbers of jaywalking incidents are increasing despite numerous government efforts to educate undisciplined pedestrians.
MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said jaywalking contributes to traffic flow problems and the incidence of road accidents in Metro Manila.
He added 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 where they are not supposed to.
The MMDA also observed that undisciplined pedestrians openly disregard pedestrian lanes and warning signages.
Passed in 1995, the anti-jaywalking ordinance imposed by MMDA traffic enforcers initially penalized violators with a P150 fine, to be paid within seven days, and requires them to attend a seminar and render community service of not more than one day.
The crackdown on jaywalking is being implemented by the agency’s Anti-Jaywalking Unit.
Failure to pay the fines on jaywalking could send the violator to a maximum of three days in jail.