Chan: Reconsider bike ban on bridge

CEBU, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan will ask the Metro Cebu Bridge Management Board to reconsider its decision banning bicycles on both the Marcelo Fernan Bridge and the Sergio Osmeña bridges.

Aside from that, the mayor will seek reconsideration on the closure of the one walking lane of each bridge from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. from the public.

“Mo-seek ko og reconsideration sa maong desisyon kay daghan intawon kong mga constituents sa Lapu-Lapu City nga maglakaw ra ug mag-bisikleta, which is their mode of transportation from their home padung sa ilang gitrabahuan,” said the mayor in a press conference yesterday.

The move of the MCBMB is part of its efforts to prevent suicide attempts on the bridge.

Chan said there are several students who walk passing through the bridge, especially on the old bridge where there is a university.

The mayor added that the two bridges are now manned by police personnel 24/7 from both cities of Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue.

Aside from this, Chan said that the two bridges have CCTVs and the Department of Public Works and Highways will put up higher fences in order to make it difficult to climb for those who wants to commit suicide.

As for bicycles banned from the two bridges, Chan does not completely agree on this.

“Maybe kaning mag bisikleta guyuron lang na nila while crossing the bridge unya mag-bisikleta na sila inig abot na sa ubos. Daghan mga trabahante nga bisikleta ra gyud ilang ma- afford as a mode of transportation,” the mayor added. — GAN (FREEMAN)