A SENIOR senator said he will back a P1-billion increase in the budget of the Department of Transportation (DoTr) for elevated walkways for pedestrians in Metro Manila.
Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri said he has communicated with Senate finance committee chair Juan Edgardo M. Angara, to indicate his intent to back the P1-billion increase, and has asked agencies to submit a project plan covering the Guadalupe district of Makati to the Ortigas district.
“We can’t just blindly put out the funds, alam mo naman very technical ang budget (budgets are very technical), kailangan naka-identify ang (we need to have a) project description and area,” Mr. Zubiri said during a hearing in the Senate committee on public works Wednesday. The public works committee is chaired by Sen. Emmanuel D. Pacquiao.
“Pumayag na si Senator Angara (Sen. Angara has agreed) that we move to add the P1 billion for DoTr,” he added.
The committee on public works was tackling Senate Bill No. 930, or the proposed Sustainable Elevated Walkways Act, filed by Senator Grace S. Poe-Llamanzares.
The bill will establish a network of elevated pedestrian walkways in all major public thoroughfares in high-density urban areas.
Mr. Zubiri, in an Aug. 20 privilege speech, proposed the construction of elevated walkways along the main Metro Manila thoroughfare EDSA, serving pedestrians and bikers.
Transportation Undersecretary Mark Richmund M. de Leon said the agency has started planning along some portions of EDSA.
“We will build walkways along EDSA, along Aurora Boulevard for ease of connection,” Mr. De Leon said.
“We have already finished feasibility studies, conceptual plans, ang kulang na lang po (the only thing missing) is detailed engineering design and (construction).” — Charmaine A. Tadalan
