EDITORIAL — Pedestrian-unfriendly

Filipinos who often travel abroad have noticed that most streets and sidewalks in this country are pedestrian-unfriendly. Many areas have narrow sidewalks; some have no sidewalks at all. Where there are wide sidewalks, these are often blocked by vendors and their overflowing wares, piles of garbage, parked vehicles, illegal building extensions and even dogs. The obstructions force pedestrians into the streets to walk or wait for rides.

Little wonder that an estimated 96,000 children aged 14 or younger are injured or killed every year in road accidents in this country. A non-government organization, citing data from the Asian Development Bank and the National Center for Traffic Safety, said the young victims were pedestrians hit by vehicles, bicycles and motorcycles. The problem is aggravated by the lack of road courtesy and flouting of traffic rules by motorists in this country.

Developers of new commercial and residential areas are now allotting ample space for pedestrian use. Local government officials are also starting to see the benefits of clearing sidewalks of vendors, garbage and other obstructions. Some local governments are also building covered overhead walkways that are clean and with sufficient lighting at night to encourage their use by pedestrians worried about muggings.

But there is still much to be done to make the streets pedestrian-friendly. Police and local government officials must get serious in enforcing laws on jaywalking. This can succeed only if there are enough clearly marked pedestrian lanes as well as clean and safe overhead walkways. Lining up for rides in jeepneys, buses and taxi vans has caught on in several areas in Metro Manila, showing that Filipinos are willing to put order in their daily commuting habits.

The campaign against illegal vending can work only if it is sustained. Sidewalks and streets must be free of vendors. In most cases, these hawkers thrive because they enjoy the protection of cops and local officials who are supposed to drive the vendors away. A system of accountability and punishment should discourage this setup. Apart from protecting hawkers, certain police and local officials also allow the construction of building extensions on public property. This must stop. And not just while the nation is observing the second National Safe Kids Week.