Pedestrian Safety Is DPWH Concern

by Ernesto T. Solidum

A resident of Kalibo or any first class municipality or city who decides to take a morning or afternoon stroll in one of the streets will inadvertently and force to use the car lane. The sidewalks are continuously used by businessmen’s commercial activities or usurped by shadowy characters.

Normal stroll even without a bag of groceries could be difficult with the maze of distractions on the sidewalk. These are illegally parked cars, motorcycles, bicycles, tricycles, not to mention those who do vulcanizing and repair of motor vehicles that easily snag a lady’s blouse or pants. 

Businesses spilling over the roadside are in the fruit stand and flower shops, motorcycle display and ukay-ukay or garments in Kalibo. These scenarios are evident  also in Boracay where tourists are “deluged” by merchandise, peddlers and people. My God! our country is one big China town! 

Road easements are established by law to provide space to walk and protect pedestrians from accidents and to allow quick access. How can a person enjoy the view as a visitor to Kalibo if his eyes are focused on obstructed gutters, posts and pavement that are grotesquely uneven, dented and slippery? A visitor in Kalibo smells manure by the roadside where toilets are built. Dear God, please demolish it like the one along Veterans Avenue.

DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson is determined to implement a policy that the nation’s sidewalks be cleared of illegal constructions. This is prompted by DOH study that road accidents is No. 4 top cause of mortality in the Philippines. Of this data, more than half of road accidents victims were pedestrians and not motorists. The reported road fatalities in 2009 totaled 34,483.

Priorities for the 2013 implementation are the dismantling of buildings and houses, squatter shanties, stores, shops and other commercial establishments, billboards and signages, fences and walls, basketball courts, garbage receptacles, plant boxes, parked vehicles, junks and construction materials on sidewalks. Most of the junks along the road are engineering equipment.  

Since all illegal construction is involved, humps that are unnecessary, lacks permit and ill maintained be demolished. Humps are road hazards especially at night where they are not of standard size and shape, and unpainted. Actually, they must be sparingly used as in school proximity, hospital or military establishments. Humps must not arbitrarily used for selfish end.

Secretary Singson must insure successful implementation of this program by enlisting the support and cooperation of LGU’s and civic organizations. Local ordinance against illegal construction on sidewalks have been enacted but not implemented in the face of rampant violations. Those people who are violating those ordinances are urged to self-demolish, desist or pay corresponding fines. The DOT jingle of “it’s more fun in the Philippines” may boomerang if pedestrians and tourists are made to walk literally in harm’s way or in the path of speeding vehicles. The Secretary must be lauded, encouraged and supported for his campaign for pedestrian safety considered urgent priority of road infra development. /MP