Proposed elevated walkway system ordinance up for discussion

The City Council committee on laws and rules, chaired by Councilor Edgar S. Cabanlas, will convene to discuss the proposed ordinance, institutionalizing the establishment of elevated and roofed pedestrian walkways in Cagayan de Oro.

The ordinance seeks to provide safe and all-weather pedestrian access in identified priority areas, encourage private sector participation in project development and management, and generate additional revenue streams for the city government through the commercial utilization of walkway spaces.

It likewise envisions the promotion of local tourism and cultural heritage by incorporating thematic designs and exhibits in the walkways.

According to the proposal, the measure shall initially cover strategic zones including CM Recto Avenue, Limketkai Center and Agora Area, the Cogon and Divisoria commercial districts, and other areas as may be recommended by the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO).

The CPDO, in coordination with the Office of the City Engineer, shall serve as the lead implementing agency.

The draft ordinance provides that the city government may pursue public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements with interested mall owners, real estate developers, banks, and other private corporations and existing procurement procedures.

These agreements shall stipulate shared maintenance responsibilities, defined commercial rights, and cost-recovery provisions.

To ensure sustainability, the ordinance will allow revenue-generating mechanisms including the installation of advertisement panels and digital billboards, placement of ATMs by commercial banks, operation of MSME kiosks and local vendor booths, as well as naming rights and sponsorship sections.

It also mandated compliance with the National Building Code, the Accessibility Law, and safety requirements of the Office of the City Engineer is mandated.

Select city department heads, representatives of regional line agencies and mall operators have been invited to the forthcoming committee deliberations to provide inputs on the proposed measure. (FDC/SP)