Rama orders inventory of skywalks

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has instructed the City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) to conduct an inventory of all sidewalks in the city and report to him their present conditions.

The report must include which skywalks are being used and which ones are only used as urinals and sleeping lounge of street dwellers. Earlier, the mayor announced that he wants those skywalks that are not being used to be demolished.

Rama said that some skywalks are only used as urinals and hang out areas of beggars and snatchers. Some are even putting the public in danger because the stairs landed in the street instead of the sidewalk like the one beside the Cebu City Medical Center, Rama said.

“If we find out that they are not at all useful, I want them either demolished or closed,” Rama said.

There are some skywalks that some people might say will be useful in a few years from now. In that case, Rama said, they are better closed down instead of allowing undisciplined pedestrians to use them as comfort room and hang out area.

Rama clarified that not all sidewalks will be demolished.

He has no intention to tear down those that keep the public safe. But he said there are overpasses that might have not been thought about thoroughly. He said that some skywalks are now more of a liability.

Considering that it is a government property, Rama said that they have to check for possible legal impediment. (FREEMAN)