The government is eyeing the placement of steel separators along EDSA for the protection of cyclists amid concerns on their safety.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said cycling was prohibited along EDSA before the ECQ, but due to the increasing number of cyclists, the placement of steel separators is now being considered.
“Since it is not the one that was planned for, eh hindi rin namin na-budgetan iyan (we were not able to include it in the budget),” MMDA EDSA Traffic Management Unit Chief Bong Nebrija explained.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) sees no need to spend money for the project. Separators will be built along EDSA by November. Materials will come from the cancelled programs of former President Arroyo in the maritime sector. The paper works for the project are now being prepared at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).
The DOTr clarified that this will only be temporary since the proposed Bayanihan 2 Law includes the Php 900 million budget for a concrete bike lane plan for the entire National Capital Region (NCR).
“Iyong 900 million na iyon will be for the interconnectivity of the bike lanes to this EDSA bike lane, para hindi siya paputol-putol (so it will not be segmented),” DOTr ASec. Steve Pastor said.
– Report from Karen Villanda
