Baguio City Council probes Bonifacio St. footbridge

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio City Council is now probing a footbridge without stairs on both ends that made the rounds on social media recently which drew flak from Baguio residents as it was revealed that the construction was halted due to budget shortage.

The said footbridge is located at Bonifacio Street beside the Saint Louis University across the Cuesta Building.

The City Council summoned the Dept. of Public Works and Highways-Baguio City District Engineering Office (DPWH-BCDEO), the City Engineering Office, and the ABCR punong barangay to explain status of said footbridge.

The DPWH revealed that P1.5 million was initially set for the project in 2017.

A request to increase the budget to P3.5 Million was made as the implementing agency claimed that the initial fund was insufficient.

                The request was granted partial approval, and the budget was raised to only P2.5 million in 2018.

Despite the budget deficit, the construction was started in April, 2018.

At present, the DPWH is awaiting the P2 million additional budget for the project which is expected to be allocated in 2020. The DPWH expressed hope that the construction of the footbridge will be completed in that same year.

The P1 million excess grant will be spent for street lights in the area.

Some councilors questioned the placement of the footbridge saying “there isn’t much pedestrian traffic taking place in that area.”

They added the footbridge should have been constructed in a more strategic place to be fully utilized.

“Erecting an overpass there has been the clamor of our constituents due to vehicular accidents occurring in that area,” said George B. De Vera, ABCR punong barangay.

City Engineer Edgar Victorio Olpindo said the footbridge should have been constructed near the main gate of the SLU, “as there are more students and other passersby traversing the pedestrian lane in that area.”

Several members of the City Council told the DPWH to always observe proper coordination with the CEO, the City Buildings and Architecture Office, the City Mayor’s Office and the concerned barangays to avoid haphazard, substandard, and problematic outcomes of projects undertaken by the department.

In the same dialogue, the City Council also requested the DPWH-CAR to check the issue on roadside encroachment along Bonifacio Street.

The Council said encroachments on road-rights of way should be strictly acted upon.