La Trinidad lawmaker seeks restoration of sidewalks

MEMBERS of the Municipal Council through a resolution will pursue restoration of sidewalks along the national highway of La Trinidad.

Authored by Councilor Nestor Fongwan Jr., the resolution is requesting the regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to provide funds for the restoration of sidewalks within the municipality.

The resolution also cites DPWH Order 37 approved on August 26, 2009, which strictly enforces Batas Pambansa 344 otherwise known as the Accessibility Law on all National Roads.

The DPWH recently implemented numerous road widening project from Bell church to Barangay Shilan, including from Km.5 towards Barangay Puguis and Barangay Poblacion, which traverses the strawberry fields.

The road widening led to the destruction of sidewalks.

Moreover, DPWH recently put up several street-lights erecting the post on the sidewalks and in effect blocking the free flow of pedestrians.

Fongwan said the construction of the street-light was done without prior consultation.

Fongwan added these sidewalks are important component of urban roads providing many benefits such as safety, mobility, encourages walking and reduce the risk of accidents among pedestrians.