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DPWH to probe presence of car at Iloilo river park reserved for pedestrians

Philippines

DPWH to probe presence of car at Iloilo river park reserved for pedestrians

By Tara Yap

ILOILO CITY—The Western Visayas regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-6) is set to investigate the entry of a car along a new section of a linear river park that is supposed to be used only by pedestrians.

A video grab of the controversial drone video that shows a white car cruising along the Iloilo Esplanade, a linear river park in Iloilo City that only allows pedestrians. (ronprimaylon/YouTube)

“We will probe the incident,” DPWH-6 Assistant Regional Director Al Fruto told Manila Bulletin in an interview Tuesday, July 28.

This was after a controversial video of footages taken from a drone, which was edited to appear like a music video, circulated online, showing a white car cruising along Iloilo Esplanade 6, which connects Jalandoni Bridge to Forbes Bridge. It drew public outrage as vehicles and bikes are banned on the walkway.

While the P110-million project funded by the national government has yet to be turned over to the Iloilo City government, DPWH did confirm that the video was taken by Roprim Construction, which undertook the construction of the project, and particularly by one of its owner’s children, who was involved in the project.

DPWH Iloilo City District Engineer Rodney Gustilo said that taking videos was allowed as part of inspection of the project’s progress, but driving a car on it was not.

“I don’t know why they did when it is public knowledge that the Iloilo Esplanade is only for pedestrians,” Gustilo told Manila Bulletin in a separate interview.

“Roprim came to apologize, but they will still face repercussions for their actions,” Gustilo added.

Meanwhile, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas ordered to temporarily install railings at the entrances of Iloilo Esplanade to avoid similar incidents at the project, which is a known pet project of Senator Franklin Drilon.

However, Fruto said that the Iloilo Esplanade will soon be opened for bikes to adjust to transportation needs with the continuing threat of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

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