ILOILO City – The two elevators of the pedestrian overpass on the Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue (Diversion Road) in Mandurriao district are now fully operational after several years of being “nonworking.”
The facility will be open for public use upon the formal turnover of the contractor, according to Joel Gerasmia, electrical inspector II of the City Engineer’s Office.
Mayor Jerry Treñas led the inspection of the elevators yesterday. He even tried it.
“With the goal of enhancing convenience and accessibility, I conducted an inspection of the elevator at the Diversion Road,” said Treñas.
The city government spent over P5 million to change the elevators’ defective spare parts to make it functional.
Though the elevators are open for public use, Gerasmia emphasized that senior citizens, persons with disabilities and pregnant women must always be a priority.
To note, the overpass with elevators is a project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). It was completed in 2015 yet.
“Ang problema sang una kay indi magpirma ang syudad sang maintenance. Sus, aton na gid ina indi pa ta magpirma,” Treñas, in an interview in 2019, had said referring to the administration of then mayor Jose Espinosa III.
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.
To further recall, in February 2019, the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) questioned the DPWH Region 6 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 previously said that the overpass had degenerated into a dirty “comfort room” and that very few pedestrians were using it.
In refusing to accept the facility from the DPWH, then mayor Espinosa reasoned out, “Antis kita maghatag dira sang tawo kag mag-maintain, kinahanglan mabal-an kon may spare parts. Kay karon kon sa aton na ina kag indi ma-maintain kay throwaway type, ti budlay man. We are just being prudent.”
DPWH-6 operated the elevator for a few months only.
With a length of 50.235 meters and a width of three meters, the overpass costs P19,302,321. Funds came from the Road Board.
The DPWH-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 PWDs, 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
