THE Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairman of Barangay Lapu-Lapu, Agdao District, Davao City, who is the proponent of the colored pedestrian lane, maintained that they have gotten the approval of the Davao City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) before repainting the crossing.
The project, called Pride Pedestrian Lane, has received mixed reactions from the public after it was posted on Facebook. While some appreciated the project’s purpose of eliminating stigma on the members of the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and queer) community, others also questioned the possible consequences of the project, especially for motorists.
Barangay Lapu-Lapu SK chairman Paolo Rodriguez told SunStar Davao that before they repainted the pedestrian crossing, they have gone through the proper procedure of getting permission from the city government. He said that they’ve asked the City Mayor’s Office (CMO) and requested for a special permit and indicated the title of the project.
“Klarong-klaro doon na ganon ang gagawin, then the CMO forwarded it to the CTTMO na opisina and [after] how many days, the CTTMO called me tapos they asked, ‘Ano ba yong pintura na gagamitin, white po ba?’, [and] I clearly answered na rainbow ang pintura na gagamiting kulay,” Rodriguez said.
When they called again, they already approved the request and even advised them not to paint it during busy traffic hours.
“That is why we commenced it at midnight kasi para walang traffic. Dumaan ang nga araw, pumunta ang CTTMO sa barangay at nagkausap kami. Actually, hiningan kami ng number. Binigay ko yong copy ng letter, which I photocopied, and gave it to them,” he said.
He added, “Sinabi ko, ‘Sir, kayo mismo ang nag-approve through calls and I wonder nga bakit through calls na dapat with formal letter. We expect you to respond in a formal letter din.’ Tapos he asked me if I have a number sa tumawag. Then, I told him na I cannot give you the number because I lost track na kasi.”
They were told not to repeat it and he already apologized if it has caused them negative comments. The CTTMO said the colored pedestrian lane as a “creative pedestrian lane,” needs the approval from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) since it is a “national road.”
“But I am still standing na ako, kami, we did it with permission, we did it with legality,” he said. After three days since it was repainted, the colors faded and returned to its original form because of the number of vehicles that passed by plus the rainy season. (JCR)