Marcos wants 'Mt. Kamuning' footbridge replaced, says DOTr chief

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the replacement of the NIA-Southroad-Scout Borromeo footbridge, which was given the moniker "Mt. Kamuning" footbridge due to its height, according to Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon.

In Joseph Morong’s exclusive report on “24 Oras” on Wednesday, pedestrians were out of breath every time they used the footbridge due to its height.

A group of friends also created a tradition where they “hike” the footbridge in full gear every April Fool’s Day.

A US-based consul general of the Netherlands also criticized the footbridge, saying that it is proof that pedestrians are neglected.

According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the height of the footbridge is equivalent to four to five floors of a building.

The footbridge is dark at night, while it is slippery during the rainy season.

When Dizon used the footbridge, he noticed that it was shaky.

“May dumadaan pong vehicle sa baba, me ground vibration dun, yung nagko-cause ng uga pero generally safe naman. Hindi naman po tutumba,” Joshua Rodriguez of DOTr said.

(It was shaky because a vehicle passed through. There was vibration, but it is generally safe.)

“It doesn’t feel safe,” Dizon countered.

In 2018, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) constructed the P10-million footbridge since there were many reported accidents and robberies in the area.

Marcos observed the footbridge during the launching of the Pamilya Pass at MRT-3 over the weekend.

“Tear it down and build a better one,” Dizon said, pertaining to the President’s order.

“Alam nyang deka-dekada nang ganito, eh ayusin naman natin para sa ating mga kababayan para madali (he knows it has been a long-time problem, so let us fix it for our countrymen’s convenience),” he added.

"Mt. Kamuning will be replaced with a lower footbridge that has an elevator. It will be placed at the EDSA Bus Carousel Kamuning Station.

“Ang pinakamadaling paglilipatan para isahan na rin dun na sa busway stop natin (that would be the most convenient location since the busway could also use it),” Dizon said.

The construction is expected to begin this year. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News