Osmeña supports roofless skywalks

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has supported the recommendation to remove the roof of skywalks in the city to get rid of the homeless people from taking shelter.

Lea Japson, head of the Department of Social Welfare and Services, earlier suggested removing the roof of skywalks to discourage beggars and street children from staying there. 

“Yes, I’m in favor,” Osmeña told The Freeman.

Other city officials, however, said that the suggestion should be studied carefully because this might cause inconvenience to the public.

“Kay if i-remove ang roof wala nay mo-stay pa sa skywalk kay uwan ug init na man,” Japson defended her proposal.

But Councilor David Tumulak said the city should instead intensify its campaign against the street dwellers.

“Makapanindot man sab unta sa skywalk kon dunay atop. Ang maayo tingali nga buhaton mao nga hingusgan ra gyud ang kampanya pinaagi sa pagbadlong sa mga tawo nga anha na lang mo-istar sa skywalk,” said Tumulak, who is also deputy mayor on police matters.

Tumulak suggested that the barangays where the skywalks are situated should assign their tanods to constantly patrol the area to prevent beggars and street children from loitering, especially at night.

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella said the issue should be carefully studied because people may not use the skywalks at all. Labella said this might discourage pedestrians from using it, especially when there is rain.

There are 16 skywalks situated in strategic areas in the city. Most are situated near the schools and busy intersections. Each skywalk costs the government at least P4 million from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of the city’s congressmen. (FREEMAN)