FRESH AIR Davao City residents enjoy the whiff of fresh air in the newly built Davao City Coastal Road, recently opened to the public but remains closed to vehicles. —BING GONZALES
DAVAO CITY, Davao del Sur, Philippines — The new Davao City Coastal Road here, which has yet to accommodate commuter traffic, has been opened for biking, walking, and fitness activities, attracting crowds looking for areas to leisurely spend their time amid restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Sara Duterte said on Monday that they opened the road to residents to provide a venue for the people to spend time outside their homes during the pandemic.
“We wanted an additional area for the people to get out of their homes to an open-air [area],” Duterte said, noting that residents were currently crowding the other outdoor venue, Shrine Hills in the village of Langub.
“Since the coastal road is not yet being used for motor vehicles, we talked with the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) to open it to everyone,” the mayor said. “Don’t worry because, as usual, there is always that big crowd in the beginning. We expect that to taper down and die down in the coming weeks,” she added.
The finished portion makes up 2.8 kilometers of the P33.7-billion 17-km road set for completion in December next year. Constructed to decongest the regular highway, the road is expected to serve 7,500 motorists in a day.