Cebu's Pedestrian Promise Broken: Osmeña Blvd Sidewalks Turned into Parking Lots
By John Carlo Montes
The newly expanded sidewalks along Osmeña Boulevard in Cebu City were heralded as a significant victory for pedestrian mobility and urban renewal. Designed with tactile pavements to assist the visually impaired and wider paths to complement the ambitious Cebu Bus Rapid Transit project, these improvements signaled that the Queen City of the South was finally prioritizing people over vehicles. However, a recent inspection from the corner of Uytengsu Street to Abellana National School exposes a disheartening truth: these sidewalks have devolved into makeshift parking lots, obstructing the very purpose they were built to serve.
A Culture of Convenience Overrides City Ordinances
Despite the existence of City Ordinance 801 and recent council resolutions demanding stricter enforcement, a pervasive culture of convenience continues to dominate. Motorcycles and SUVs are routinely parked directly on the tactile blocks, forcing pedestrians—including students from nearby schools and individuals with disabilities—to navigate dangerous detours into the narrowing roadway. This blatant violation not only creates daily hazards but also represents a direct challenge to local authority and public safety protocols.
Multi-Billion Peso Investment at Risk
This issue transcends mere inconvenience; it constitutes a severe disregard for the Cebu City Government's multi-billion peso investment in urban renewal and infrastructure development. The failure to maintain clear sidewalks raises critical questions about enforcement capabilities. If the Cebu City Transportation Office and the Police Regional Office 7 cannot prevent illegal parking in high-visibility areas like Osmeña Blvd, what confidence can residents have in broader citywide initiatives? The situation underscores a gap between policy implementation and on-the-ground reality, threatening the efficacy of future urban projects.
Calls for Action Beyond Appeals
Merely issuing mindful parking appeals has proven insufficient. Community advocates and concerned citizens are now urging for decisive measures, including:
- Consistent vehicle clamping and towing operations
- Enhanced monitoring and patrols by traffic enforcers
- Stronger political will to reclaim public spaces for pedestrians
The core message is clear: Osmeña Blvd and its sidewalks belong to the public, not to those who treat them as private garages. Restoring order will require a concerted effort from city officials, law enforcement, and the community to uphold the vision of a pedestrian-friendly Cebu.
