PARTNERS FOR GREENWAYS. Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma (left) and Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista shake hands following the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the EDSA Greenways project on Monday (Sept. 25, 2023). Bautista said the signing would allow for the fast-tracking of the EDSA Greenways project. (Photo courtesy of DOTr)

MANILA – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Monday signed two agreements with other government agencies and private partners to start and fast-track the Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) Greenways project.

DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine National Police (PNP), PLDT-Smart, Eastern Telecommunications and Converge.

The project, funded in part by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is the country’s first pedestrian-centered road infrastructure that aims to construct and improve the area’s existing walkways and enhance accessibility.

“We want to fast-track this project to be able to connect pedestrian networks to train stations along EDSA and enhance the overall urban environment and transport connectivity in the identified areas,” Bautista said during the project’s ceremonial signing at Primex Tower in San Juan City.

In its project briefer posted on the ADB website, there will be elevated pedestrian walkways in four areas located near mass transit stations in Balintawak, Cubao, Guadalupe and Taft.

The project will build or improve a total of five kilometers of covered elevated walkways around the four stations.

“Elevators will be attached to the elevated walkways to address the needs of the elderly, women, persons with disabilities and people traveling with small children. The elevated walkways will be connected to mass transit stations to help promote the use of public transport,” the briefer read.

Under the DOTr-DOLE MOU, the agencies and their partners will provide a livelihood assistance package for residents and communities that will be affected by the project.

On the other hand, the DOTr-PNP MOA aims to explore cooperative ways for the training, capacity-building and protection of vulnerable sectors such as women and children.

The two memoranda, Bautista said, show “mutual and earnest support” for the project from the stakeholders in the transportation industry.

“The EDSA Greenways with the EDSA Busway and the bike lanes, showcase our efforts to revive the original character of EDSA as the most efficient artery in Metro Manila,” he said. (PNA)