The Cagayan de Oro City Council has just passed an ordinance institutionalizing a sustainable elevated walkway system in major commercial and public areas, including CM Recto Avenue, Limketkai Center, Agora, Cogon, Divisoria, and other locations identified by the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO). The proposed ₱570-million project along CM Recto aims to enhance pedestrian safety, improve connectivity, and ease traffic flow, with funding sourced from the city, national government, and public-private partnerships. City officials say the ordinance will help fast-track implementation and support future expansion.
The project will be implemented in phases after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), through the efforts of Congressman Rufus Rodriguez requested ₱100 million for inclusioin in the 2026 national budget. City leaders are urging close coordination between local and national governments to avoid delays and ensure early completion.
Below are the highlights and salient points of the approved city ordinance.
SCOPE AND COVERAGE – Elevated walkways are designated in the following major public thoroughfares and high–density urban areas, consisting of enclosed or covered footbridges serving as exclusive access-ways for pedestrians.
- CM Recto Avenue
- Limketkai Center and Agora Area
- Cogon and Divisoria Commercial Districts
- Other areas identified by the City Planning and Development Office
DESIGN STANDARDS AND SAFETY – The design and specifications of elevated walkways to be estabiished shall be governed by the following design considerations and issues:
- High Density and Accessibility
- Continuous Flow
- Temperature Control and Comfortability
- Connectivity
- Safety and Transparency
- Environmental Sustainability
- Social Inclusivity
- Right-of-Way Interfacing
- Vertical Access System
- Support Facilities
- Active Policing
- Adaptability to Future Technology
- Integration with Urban Landscape
PROHIBITED ACTS – The use of elevated walkways and vertical access systems for commercial and personal purposes shall be prohibited. Such prohibited acts include but are not limited to the following:
- Driving or parking motor and non-motor vehicles on all such walkways, including its vertical access points and drop~of areas;
- Alms or donation-seeking activities;
- Doing house chores such as washing clothes, hanging clothes, and bathing;
- Repair of vehicles of all types;
- Dumping garbage;
- Sports. games. and amusements:
- Use of walkway to install pens of animals or keep animals in chains or tether;
- Holding picnics/gatherings or storage of foodstuffs and beverages for such gatherings;
- Drinking liquor;
- Storing of junks and recyclable materials:
- Storage of construction materials for sale (pipes, tubings, lumber, cement, and the like);
- House extension or stall/store extension including installation of roofs or awnings;
- Installation of temporary or permanent fences;
- Use of walkways for plants, trees and plant boxes;
- Signs or signboards above sidewalks and detached from the business establishment;
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP MECHANISM – The City Government
shall enter into PPP agreements with interested mall owners, real estate developers, banks, and private corporations, subject to:
- Standard bidding and procurement procedures under the PPP Code of CDO (if applicable)
- Shared maintenance responsibilities;
- Defined commercial rights and cost-recovery provisions.
REVENUE-GENERATING COMPONENTS – To support sustainability, the following may be allowed subject to approval by the Sangguniang Panlungsod:
- Advertisement panels and digital billboards
- ATM installations by commercial banks
- Designated Local Vendor Booths or MSME Kiosks
- Naming Rights or Sponsorship Sections
IMPLEMENTING AGENCY – The Office of the City Planning and Development Coordinator (CPDO), in coordination with the Office of the City Engineer shall serve as the lead implementing agency. A Walkway Project Technical Working Group (TWG) shall be created through an Executive Order by the City Mayor.
PENALTY FOR VIOLATION ~ Any violation of the provisions of the ordinance shall be subject to summary abatement, dismantling, forfeiture, and disposal of the obstruction to the walkway. Further, any person, corporation, trust, firm, partnership, association or entity found violating shall be penalized by a fine not less than Three Thousand pesos (P3,000.00), or imprisonment of not more than 30 days, or both, at the discretion of the court.
info from CdeO City Council
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