There are, I believe, a few places along the National Highway in San Pedro City, Laguna that desperately needs an overpass: the Robinsons Galleria South Mall/Landayan area, and the United San Pedro area.
These two areas are one of the most “pedestrian-heavy” portions of the National Highway, yet no one seemed to have thought of putting up overpasses that would ensure that pedestrians crossing the street will be safe.
Not only are these areas (particularly the Landayan area) notoriously congested with traffic, especially during Fridays, these, in my opinion, are one of the most dangerous for motorists and pedestrians alike.
Crossing the National Highway is a matter of life-and-death, complicated by the fact that the United San Pedro intersection has no means of traffic control other than traffic enforcers.
And we all know the attitude of some motorists here in the Philippines, especially motorcycle riders: some of them seem to have no thought whatsoever for the rules on the road, much less on allowing pedestrians to pass through.
Rules of the road say that pedestrian lanes should be respected by motorists, who are required to slow down on approach.
Yet to my dismay, some motorists actually speed up on pedestrian lanes, with motorcycle riders failing to even bother looking out for pedestrians crossing.
Tapos kapag nakasagi o nakabangga ng pedestrian, either haharurot na lang siya palayo o di kaya sasabihan ang nabangga ng “pasensya na po, di ko po kayo napansin.” (E paano pa kaya kapag kapwa uminit ang ulo ng nakabangga at nabangga, e di isa na namang insidente ng road rage na magiging viral sa social media?)
It's understandable, however, that some San Pedronians are lukewarm at best to the idea of putting up pedestrian overpasses over some areas in our city.
There’s the fact that the pedestrian overpass near the San Pedro city proper gets rarely used by pedestrians who would risk their own lives crossing the road, despite constant vigilance by traffic enforcers.
Moreover, there are valid concerns that these overpasses could become havens of homeless people or a convenient spot for pickpockets and snatchers.
But I believe this reflects what appears to be that pervasive attitude among Filipinos of, “if it ain’t broke, why fix it?”
Translation: no one’s really going to clamor for putting up overpasses along our major roads unless someone figures in an accident.
Huwag naman sana!
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