Mini-footbridge in MMDA road safety park sows confusion, outrage online

A photograph of a seemingly pointless structure—a small footbridge stretching about 10 feet across a "road" that's too narrow for cars—has been making the rounds online, with netizens decrying the footbridge as another example of government stupidity, waste and corruption.

While there are many examples of those around, this is apparently not one of them. It is, in fact, a "mini-footbridge" built by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to teach children about road safety.

The MMDA even posted about the footbridge, showing it being used as it was intended to be used.

Facebook user Yves Gonzalez, who had taken the photo in question, replied to the latest outraged post about it.

The mini-footbridge and the other little structures in the park, he wrote, "are aimed at teaching young kids the value of following road rules."

"This is actually a good project of the MMDA (an agency I used to work for, full disclaimer), which several people have hailed as something other LGUs should emulate," he said.

"Making it seen like it's a 'weird' project or something that makes us look 'dumb' without knowing the full context and story behind the photo is quite misleading. We are all entitled to our own opinions, but not our own facts," he continued.

According to the agency, the MMDA Children's Road Safety Park, modeled after a similar park in Singapore, "showcases miniatures of traffic-related structures, such as bike lanes, road sign, steel footbridge, sidewalks with curb and drainage system."

This simulated traffic environment in miniature, it said, "shall teach the young ones the potential dangers on the roads and [the] importance [of] observ[ing] traffic rules and regulations." — Barbara Marchadesch/DVM, GMA News