Two Pedestrian Overpass Elevators Open in the Philippines

The two elevators of the pedestrian overpass on the Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue (Diversion Road) in the Mandurriao district of Iloilo City, Philippines, are now fully operational after not working for several years, Panay News reports. The city government spent more than PHP5 million (US$89,986) to replace the elevators’ defective spare parts, making the units functional again. Though the elevators are open for public use, use by senior citizens, persons with disabilities and pregnant women is a priority. The overpass with elevators is a project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). It was completed in 2015. The pedestrian overpass was built as an additional feature of the Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue expansion project, which also included bike and pedestrian lanes. In February 2019, the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) questioned DPWH Region 6 over the nonworking elevators. DPWH-6 operated the elevator for a few months only.