ILOILO City – The city government will hire a total of six personnel to operate the two elevators of the overpass on the Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue (formerly Diversion Road) in Mandurriao district.
“I have discussed this already with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH),” said Mayor Jerry Treñas.
The overpass with elevators is a project of DPWH. It has yet to be turned over to the city government four years after its completion in 2015.
Aside from operating the elevators, the city government will also be shouldering the facility’s maintenance, said Treñas.
“Ang problema sang una kay indi magpirma ang syudad sang maintenance. Sus, aton na gid ina indi pa ta magpirma,” said Treñas, referring to the administration of then mayor Jose Espinosa III.
In Jan. 9, 2015 DPWH inaugurated what it touted to be a first of its kind in Western Visayas – a pedestrian overpass with two elevators.
The elevators were intended for persons with disabilities, the elderly and pregnant women who were having a hard time crossing the widened avenue. But these haven’t been operational.
The pedestrian overpass was built as an additional feature of the Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue expansion project, which also included bike and pedestrian lanes.
In February this year, the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) questioned the DPWH regional office over the nonworking elevators.
Acting on the frequent vehicular accidents on the avenue, the PSTMO was finding ways to improve the traffic situation on the busy thoroughfare.
PSTMO chief Jeck Conlu observed that the overpass had degenerated into a dirty “comfort room” and that very few pedestrians were using it to cross the avenue.
During its inauguration graced by Sen. Franklin Drilon four years ago, the overpass was described as “state-of-the-art.”
In refusing to accept the facility from DPWH, then mayor Espinosa reasoned out, “Antis kita maghatag dira sang tawo kag mag-maintain, kinahanglan mabal-an kon may spare parts. Kay karun kon sa aton na ina kag indi ma-maintain kay throwaway type, ti budlay man. We are just being prudent.”
DPWH Region 6 operated the elevator for a few months only.
With a length of 50.235 meters and a width of three meters, the overpass cost P19,302,321. Funds came from the Road Board.
The DPWH Region 6 director at the time the overpass was constructed was Edilberto Tayao. He said it would reduce traffic congestion on the avenue.
“Pedestrians, most especially PDWs, would be able to go to various establishments along the Diversion Road without crossing the main road. The city government encourages the contribution of private entities to the development and maintenance of this project,” Tayao had said./PN
