Mindanaotoday.com | Makati-like ‘Greenbelt’ that will connect Oro’s 4 downtown malls eyed
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The installation of “elevated walkways” connecting four malls in Cagayan de Oro City’s downtown area will help decongest traffic and promote physical fitness among pedestrians, an administration councilor said.
“There’s a plan (being floated by) the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) and even during a joint committee meeting chaired by Councilor Romeo Calizo in which these elevated walkways or channels would be a great help (in decongesting traffic in the downtown area),” Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya said during Monday afternoon’s City Council session, Oct. 9.
Nacaya said the proposal takes inspiration from the “Greenbelt,” a 2.8-hectare garden set in Ayala Mall in Makati City.
Nacaya, who chairs the council’s planning, research and development committee, said such an undertaking would involve discussions with mall operators and business owners in the downtown commercial area.
“If we are in agreement (in pursuing this project) that would connect the malls and other establishments that will form part of this ‘Greenbelt’… then we should incorporate this project in our annual investment plan (AIP), our city development plan and even in our budgeting for 2024…even if we implement the project in bits and phases,” Nacaya said.
Traffic congestion in Cagayan de Oro City’s downtown area which also covers one state university, is bogged down further by delays in road construction projects under the national government.
Vice Mayor Jocelyn Rodriguez said the elevated walkways is also similar to walkways in the US which provide shade to pedestrians heading to their offices and schools.
Councilor Malvern Esparcia, who chairs the City Council committee on climate change adaptation, showed support to the project saying this will help encourage commuters to walk instead of using public transport to head to their favorite malls and offices.
‘Switching to walking will help reduce noise and smoke emissions and promote green spaces,’ Esparcia said. (Stephen Capillas | City Information Office)
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