City halts tactile installation; fast tracks mitigating measures
The city government has halted the installation of tactile pavements as it fast-tracked mitigating measures to make the existing tiles slip-resistant and prevent more accidents.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong said tactile fitting in city-funded sidewalk rehabilitation projects had been discontinued.
“For now, we will just concentrate on the widening aspect of the project,” he said.
For its part, the Dept. of Public Works and Highways also announced the stoppage of tactile installation on its end a week ago due to safety concerns during the city council session Aug. 22, 2022.
The DPWH and city projects entitled improvement of sidewalk with ground surface indicators cover five sites in the city. It was intended to upgrade the city’s sidewalks to make them disability-friendly and compliant with the Pambansang Batas Blg. 344.
The mayor said the city is also looking into the possibility of replacing the tiles with alternative fixtures which are also of international standards but are not slippery.
While this is being worked out, the city is speeding up mitigating measures being adopted to prevent accidents in case people step on them.
City Administrator Bonifacio Dela Peña directed the CEO to speed up mitigation measures on the existing tiles by following through with the recommendation on the use of anti-skid coating to prevent more accidents.
Last Aug. 25, the CEO tried out an anti-slip coating solution on the tactile pavements to reduce the tiles’ slickness with encouraging initial results.
This is part of the mitigating measures being adopted to prevent accidents in case people step on them.
City Engineer Edgar Victorio Olpindo said they did a test on the recommended no-slip coating solution which the supplier guaranteed to be good for “one-time application” and initial outcome showed reduced slipperiness of the tiles.
“However, we would need to observe its effects after a longer time. We also need to do more tests under different conditions including the types of footwear being used. We hope that we can have positive results,” he said.
While at it, the city will continue to intensify the information drive on its proper use by installing more visible warning signs to caution people against stepping on the slippery lanes as it may pose safety risk especially under the rain and encouraging people to follow the keep right policy.
While at it, the city will continue to intensify the information drive on its proper use by installing more visible warning signs to caution people against stepping on the slippery lanes as it may pose safety risk especially under the rain. The information campaign also encourages people to follow the “keep right” policy.
Dela Peña debunked claims that they had a hand in sourcing out the tactile materials used saying it was the project contractors who choose the suppliers of the materials and that they have no personal knowledge of who the supplier was.
“Last week, we had the chance to talk to one of the suppliers who identified himself as Mr. Rowald Julian and when we asked about the costs, he said initially the price was P300 per tile and that was in 2020, the height of the pandemic and importation was difficult. Now, these tiles can be procured at P250-P275, according to the supplier,” Dela Peña said.
As to those who met accidents due to the tactile installations, the mayor and the city administrator assured that the city is willing to give medical assistance including covering the individual’s medical expenses.
So far, one patient had requested the city for assistance.
Dela Peña said complaints or information will be handled on a case-to-case basis and will be subject to the verification process as required under established procedures. – Aileen P. Refuerzo
