Along Osmeña Boulevard: City to decide skywalks’ fate

CEBU, Philippines —   Now that the ownership issue of the two skywalks along Osmeña Boulevard has been solved, the Cebu City government can now decide on whether to demolish or redesign these structures.

In an interview yesterday, Cebu City Councilor Jerry Guardo, head of the Committee on Infrastructure, said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has submitted the documents claiming that they are the agency responsible for the funding and the construction of the two skywalks.

In their meeting, the DPWH has agreed to prepare the proper documents needed for the turnover of the two skywalks to the Cebu City government.

Once turned over, the city will now decide whether to follow DPWH which is planning to redesign the skywalks or listen to the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT), which is pushing for the demolition of these structures.

“They (DPWH) are planning to submit the design that will complement sa existing na skywalk,” said Guardo.

He, however, said that they will still be referring to the wisdom of the Department of Transportation.

DPWH-Cebu City District Engineer Ramon Revanadera said the department has recommended to forego with the demolition plan, but instead recommended the re-design of the original structure.

“Mag be-best effort kami to convince them not to demolish. Kasi marami kaming ire-recommend na proposal for the redesign,” he said.

The DPWH expects to submit on Monday the design which consists of a covered dock that includes a preliminary precaution to avoid any untoward accidents that may happen in the skywalk.

For demolition

CBRT Manager, Engineer Norvin Imbong, for his part, said the skywalks need to be demolished since their center column was not placed in the middle of the two dedicated lanes.

“Nikaon sya sa usa ka lane, so ang tendency, ang design malubag siya. That’s one. Second, among i-develop ang sidewalk. If you’re going to look at the situation there, ang sidewalk gamay,” he said.

He added the skywalk is placed on top of the station which could be vulnerable to people who may tend to jump on the roof of the station.

The engineer has also put an emphasis that the BRT project is an elevated development that replaces the service of skywalk, which is a 30-year-old structure.

Should the City Council decide to endorse the redesigning proposal of the DPWH, Imbong said this will affect their timeline and would ‘delay’ the project.

“(My prayer) is that DPWH will say yes to the demolition,” said Imbong.

Should the DPWH submit the design by Monday, Guardo said they will be conducting an ocular inspection with the DOTR to evaluate its probability. – GAN (FREEMAN)