The Department of Transportation (DOTr) yesterday signed two agreements to fast-track the construction of the Edsa Greenways project.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the DOTr, together with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine National Police (PNP), Smart-PLDT, Eastern Telecommunications and Converge ICT Solutions, will speed up the project.
The DOTr signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with DOLE for a livelihood assistance package for residents and communities that will be affected by the project, while the agreement with the PNP aims to explore cooperative ways for the training, capacity-building and protection of vulnerable sectors, such as women and children.
To properly implement the relocation of utilities and cables, the DOTr signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) with telcos Smart Communications, Eastern and Converge for the project’s alignment requiring the acquisition of right-of-way of affected properties.
“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 ceremonial signing of the MOU and the MOA.
“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,” said Bautista.
An environment-friendly five-kilometer elevated walkway, the EDSA Greenways is a covered green walkway that will connect the Metro Rail Transit line 3 (MRT-3) stations to other modes of transport.
Funded by the Asian Development Bank, EDSA Greenways is the first pedestrian-centered road infrastructure that includes improving pedestrian facilities and enhancing accessibility.
