Only unnecessary skywalks face demolition, Rama says

ONLY unnecessary skywalks should be demolished in certain parts of Cebu City, Mayor Michael Rama said  last Friday.

The mayor said some pedestrian skywalks  are useful like the one near  Robinson’s Mall along Osmeña Boulevard while other  sidewalks  are “just not  well studied.”

He identified  some of the “unnecessary” skywalks as those  found in Imus Street, Escario Street and near Cebu City Medical Center  (CCMC).  “A lot of people don’t like the skywalk at Day-as,” Rama added.

The mayor said the “implementors”, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) didn’t plan the skywalks well.  Many  of the structures  were built at the request of congressmen who prioritized them in their pork barrels.

“Once we build skywalks, it’s a headache trying to maintain them,” Rama said. He said the infrastructure should consider “traffic, practicability and aesthetic” value  as well as need for a pedestrian crossing.

Rep. Tomas Osmeña in an earlier interview said the skywalks need to be redesigned, not destroyed, to adjust  steep stairs that are not easy to use by children or the elderly.  Correspondent Tweeny M. Malinao