ILOILO City — With thousands of students set to return to classrooms on June 8, the Iloilo City Council is pushing for the immediate restoration of faded pedestrian lanes across the city, warning that worn-out road markings near schools could endanger students and other vulnerable road users once traffic volume surges with the reopening of classes.
It urged the City Engineer’s Office, General Services Office (GSO), Facility Conservation Office (FCO), Iloilo City District Engineering Office (ICDEO), and the Iloilo City Traffic and Transportation Management Office (TTMO) to conduct an immediate assessment and repainting of pedestrian crossings, particularly those situated in front of schools.
“Classes will open on June 8, and we know traffic volume will increase significantly as students return to school. We want to ensure the safety of our students, as well as our senior citizens and persons with disabilities who regularly use these crossings,” said Councilor Jose Maria Dela Llana who introduced the resolution calling for the repainting of pedestrian lanes.
The measure came after residents raised concerns over the condition of pedestrian lanes in various parts of the city, with many markings already faded and barely visible to motorists.
“Many people have reached out to me and pointed out that several pedestrian lanes are already worn out and barely visible. They have been asking if something can be done before the opening of classes,” Dela Llana said.
He stressed the urgency of carrying out repainting activities before the rainy season intensifies and hampers road-marking operations.
“It would be better if the work is done now because once the rainy season intensifies, repainting becomes difficult. Based on experience, a team can complete an area in one or two days before moving on to another school zone,” he said.
The resolution seeks the restoration of pedestrian crossings in front of all public and private schools in the city, including Baluarte Elementary School, Molo City High School, Iloilo City National High School, Regional Academic National School (RANS), as well as daycare centers and schools located in densely populated communities.
Aside from repainting road markings, the measure also calls for the deployment of barangay officials, barangay tanods, traffic personnel, and school authorities in identified school zones and pedestrian crossings to help maintain traffic discipline and ensure the orderly movement of students and motorists during the reopening of classes.
The resolution further seeks stricter enforcement of existing city ordinances and traffic regulations covering pedestrian lanes, school zones, and pedestrian rights-of-way./PN
