Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano urged transportation and public works authorities to integrate dedicated rain shelters for motorcycle riders and commuters into future infrastructure developments.
Cayetano made the call following heavy rains across Luzon triggered by Tropical Depression Maymay and the southwest monsoon (habagat).
Speaking during a social media livestream on Friday, the senator emphasized the urgent need for dedicated spaces, pointing out the growing number of riders taking cover under bridges during sudden downpours.
”Dahil dumagdag na talaga nang husto ang gumagamit ng motor, napakarami nating riders. Basta’t bumuhos yung ulan ay sisilong sa ilalim ng tulay. Napaka-importante sa lalong madaling panahon kasama na sa ating planning yan,” Cayetano said.
Highlighting a previous Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) proposal to convert spaces beneath flyovers into temporary shelters, Cayetano called on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to incorporate these facilities into upcoming road projects.
”In making our roads and travel safer and more comfortable, kailangan proactive talaga tayo,” he added.
Alongside shelter requests, Cayetano advocated for increased mass transit funding to address rising road congestion, urging policymakers to prioritize efficient public transportation over private vehicle reliance in the proposed ₱7.2-trillion national budget for 2027.
”Dapat hindi natin inuulit ang ating pagkakamali,” he said, stressing the importance of learning from past urban planning oversights.