Politics of the Sidewalk

Where I live, one has to walk or jog on the street. Not that the street is free of traffic. The area has one of the highest per capita car ownership in NCR. Rather, sidewalks have been taken over by gardens and fences. This scene is typical of many residential and commercial areas in Metro Manila.

Marikina City Mayor Marides Fernando, speaking during the general membership meeting of the Philippine Institute for Supply Management, shared some insights on how the city transformed Marikina to a local government unit that most city mayors envy.

The city implemented several initiatives one of which was simply to give back to the walking public the sidewalk that they deserve. It was a simple initiative that immensely contributed to the transformation of Marikina into a well-governed, multi-awarded city. That initiative turned out to be an effective driver that changed the way Marikina residents and visitors behaved.

Alex Lacson’s book talks of 12 simple things that every Filipino should do. One of these is to follow traffic rules. It is a basic value driver. Following traffic rules drives other important and positive social values. Obeying traffic rules, like proper use of the sidewalk, needs two basic ingredients – a responsible user and rules that are uniformly applied and well implemented. One cannot prosper without the other.

Obviously, Marikina City decided to create an environment where side-walking became pleasurable and street-walking inexcusable. Some statistics: Sidewalk concreted, curbs and gutter : 247.60 kilometers. Cleared Sidewalk : 219.49 kilometers. Total Length of Bicycle Lanes : 24 kilometers.

It is a good, basic program for every city or municipality that envisions a respectable quality of life. It is not going to win elections. However, it will put the city on the governance map and can certainly add political points for future elections.

There are three important dimensions, probably more, about sidewalks – social, economic and political.

Social dimensions of sidewalk

Along some main thoroughfares in Metro Manila, you see many sidewalks used as playground – for basketball, badminton and kids’ games. Occasionally, they are used as an extension of the dining room for parties and social drinking. They become a resting or practice ground for fighting cocks. Sometimes, they become a second bedroom during summer or when the house gets so crowded. It is common to see residents and commercial establishments use these sidewalks for parking. Sidewalks disappear once it is landscaped by the adjoining occupant. They are everything for anybody except as a sidewalk.

Economic dimensions of sidewalks

Around the Remedios area in Malate, cafes take over at night or whenever permitted, following the practice in some places in France and Italy. Sidewalks become romantic meeting places where you get the best coffee and food. In Divisoria, Quiapo, Paco and other designated public markets, sidewalks disappear as vendors and stalls take over. They become free spaces for the huge underground economic enterprise.

Political dimensions of sidewalks

Sidewalks in a city have stakeholders with political clout or influence. Those that have dominated have interests that usually clash with public order. The last time I visited Divisoria was a few years back when I gave my nephews a tour of the city. Very visible were unrestrained economic and social interests which could only be tolerated by political realities. The same may be said with the situation in Baclaran. Visibly tolerated, for obvious reasons, are socially disadvantaged people who, for lack of a workable social assistance program, practically live along the sidewalks. Cause-oriented groups would take up their cause for any attempts to remove them.

Giving back the sidewalk to the walking public is a simple government gesture that could possibly lead to positive social, economic and political changes. It represents many positive things -- Rule of law. Social equality. Safety. Convenience. Unity. Environment. Discipline.

(for comments, write to abfontanilla@yahoo.com or nick.fontanilla@gmail.com)