THE Mactan-Cebu Bridge Management Board (MCBMB) cancelled plans to impose restrictions meant to address incidents of suicide on the bridges connecting Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue cities.
After several incidents of people killing themselves by jumping off those bridges, the MCBMB considered ways to restrict foot and bicycle traffic. Plans included closing off one of the two pedestrian lanes on each of the two bridges, the Mandaue-Mactan and the Marcelo Fernan bridges, imposing a curfew on foot traffic in the early hours of the day and banning bicycles.
The decision not to push through with these restrictions came about after an appeal was made by Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan during the MCBMB special meeting Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019.
The MCBMB, in its Sept. 10 meeting, discussed ways to discourage or prevent suicide cases on the bridges. Following unfavorable response from the public, especially from bicycle riders, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, MCBMB chairperson, had the planned restrictions placed on review.
In the special meeting Wednesday, Chan asked the board to reconsider the closure of one pedestrian lane saying pedestrians would be inconvenienced and accidents may happen.
As to the 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. curfew on foot traffic on the two bridges, Chan said there are export processing zone workers who cross the bridge by foot because they cannot afford jeepney fare. The board agreed not to impose the curfew and not to have the bicycle ban on condition the riders walk their bikes.
Chan told the board he would do his part by deploying policemen, traffic enforcers, and barangay tanods on the bridges 24/7. The Land Transportation Office also plans to authorize traffic personnel and policemen to issue citation tickets to violators of the bicycle regulation, he added.
“Katong mga bicycle enthusiast nga gustong moapelar ana adto lang sila sa bridge board (Bicycle enthusiasts who want to appeal this rule can do so to the bridge board),” Chan said.
GCM / MVG