MMDA makes U-belt footbridges voyeur-proof

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said yesterday that they have already covered the footbridges in the University Belt area to ensure that students wearing skirts are protected from peeping toms.

MMDA general manager Robert Nacianceno said the agency has verified reports that female students crossing the U-belt footbridges have indeed become the targets of voyeurs.

MMDA footbridges at the U-belt have become the object of attack by angry students who have complained of being the voyeuristic targets by drivers of tricycles and pedicabs.

The female students have complained that drivers of pedicabs and tricycles would often park their vehicles at the base of the footbridges and ogle them.

MMDA Chairman Oscar Inocentes said as a temporary counter-measure, MMDA workers have covered the slots in between the steps of the footbridges with plywood.

Nacianceno said the sides of the footbridges will be covered up by plastic sheets. “We will use plastic in such a way that we will eliminate voyeurism but still able to see the silhouette of the person using it at night,” he said.

At present, the MMDA maintains 52 footbridges at strategic points in Metro Manila.      – Mike Frialde