Kamuning Footbridge
Kamuning Footbridge | |
|---|---|
| Footbridge | |
| Scout Borromeo–NIA South Road Footbridge EDSA-Kamuning Footbridge | |
| Nickname(s): Mount Kamuning | |
.jpg?lang=en) The footbridge, taken in 2021 | |
| Builder | BF Corporation |
| Completion | 2018 |
| Opening date | 2019 |
| Height | 9 meters (30 ft) (clearance over railway) |
| Surface | Steel |
| Owner | Metropolitan Manila Development Authority |
| Location | South Triangle and Pinyahan, Quezon City, Metro Manila |
| Coordinates: 14°38′13″N 121°02′32″E / 14.6370°N 121.0421°E | |
The Scout Borromeo–NIA South Road Footbridge, also known as the Kamuning Footbridge or EDSA-Kamuning Footbridge, is a steel pedestrian footbridge spanning EDSA in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Constructed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in October 2018, the footbridge is 9 meters (30 ft) high, located near Manuel L. Quezon University, the National Irrigation Administration Complex, and the GMA–Kamuning station. It connects Scout Borromeo Street in Barangay South Triangle to NIA South Road in Barangay Pinyahan, spanning both EDSA and the MRT-3's at-grade tracks. Its steep height and appearance has gained public attention, with many online comments remarking that it is inconvenient to use and discriminates against people with disabilities, senior citizens, children, and those who suffer from vertigo. As a result, it was mockingly nicknamed as "Mount Kamuning" and a "stairway to heaven" by both the public and local media, leading to mock "hiking" stunts and being the subject of online ridicule.[1][2]
The MMDA defended the design, stating it was necessary to discourage jaywalking and alleged robberies in the area, and "only intended for able-bodied pedestrians". Suggestions to rectify the issue by installing elevators or escalators were raised but not addressed due to budget constraints.[3][4]
As of June 2025, the footbridge is planned to be demolished and rebuilt following a directive from Philippine president Bongbong Marcos to have the Department of Transportation (DOTr) replace the footbridge with a design more accessible and convenient to road users and commuters.[5]
History
[edit]Construction on the footbridge began in 2018. While it was being constructed, photos of the half-built footbridge went viral online in November 2018, as people criticized the footbridge's steep height and appearance, raising concerns on how it would be inconvenient for people with disabilities, senior citizens, and pregnant women. The footbridge has a maximum clearance height of 9 meters (30 ft) high and has a project cost of ₱10 million[3] and was constructed by the BF Corporation owned by former MMDA chairperson Bayani Fernando.[4]
In response, MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia Jr. stated that the project was designed to prevent jaywalking along EDSA and reduce incidents of robbery in the area. He defended the footbridge by describing it as intended for "able-bodied pedestrians seeking to cross the road quickly and safely" and claimed that the footbridge provides "maximum comfort for pedestrians".[2]
Garcia also addressed concerns about the steep height of the structure, explaining that it is located at a portion where the MRT-3 run near ground level, necessitating a gap of stating that it is located at a segment where the MRT-3 is near ground level and that the footbridge must maintain a clearance of 3 to 4 meters (9.8 to 13.1 ft) above the MRT-3 tracks.[2] He added that the decision to construct the footbridge out of metal was because it was "easier to construct" and "cheaper".[4][3] MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago further defended the project, calling it as the agency's "best compromise" to discourage "reckless or lazy" pedestrian behavior, emphasizing that the MMDA is prioritizing public safety over convenience.[2]
Following the initial backlash, the MMDA added landing areas for pedestrians to rest while climbing the footbridge.[6] The MMDA also considered installing elevators and escalators to address concerns about the footbridge's steepness. However, Garcia stated that there was no available budget for such features.[4]
On April Fools' Day in 2019, two individuals dressed up as mountain climbers with hiking gear and backpacks and gave a satirical account of the "hike" to the media. One of them also recounted that the footbridge vibrates whenever MRT-3 trains pass below it.[1]
In January 2022, Dirk Janssen, the consul general of the Netherlands in San Francisco posted an old photo of the footbridge on Twitter, criticizing it with the caption: "No hay mejor manera de dejar claro a los peatones que no importan" (transl. There is no better way to make it clear to pedestrians that they don’t matter.)[7]
In January 2025, a hiking app satirically listed "Mount Kamuning" and "Mount Shaw Boulevard" as peaks, describing the former as the "urban Everest of EDSA" and a "high-altitude reminder of the uphill battle for a more pedestrian-friendly city".[8]
In June 2025, following a visit to GMA–Kamuning station, Philippine president Bongbong Marcos ordered the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to demolish and replace the footbridge to be more accessible and convenient to road users and commuters. The DOTr has bared plans to build a much lower footbridge that will use elevators and provide direct access to the Kamuning stop of the EDSA Carousel.[5]
See also
[edit]- Shaw Boulevard station - a MRT station nicknamed as "Mount Shaw Boulevard"
References
[edit]- ^ a b Malasig, Jeline (April 2, 2019). "Mountain climbers conquer 'Mount Kamuning' summit in full gear 'for fun'". Interaksyon. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Subingsubing, Krixia (November 7, 2018). "MMDA defends 'stairway to heaven'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
- ^ a b c Pateña, Aerol John (November 6, 2018). "MMDA defends controversial Edsa-Kamuning footbridge". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Adel, Rosette (November 6, 2018). "MMDA: Elevated EDSA-Kamuning footbridge not meant for everyone". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
- ^ a b Agustin, Mico (June 4, 2025). "Marcos Jr. wants 'Mt. Kamuning' footbridge torn down, replaced — DOTr". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
- ^ "'Mt. Kamuning' footbridge reopened, now with 'landing areas'". GMA Integrated News. January 15, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
- ^ "Dutch diplomat throws shade at 'Mt. Kamuning' footbridge on EDSA". GMA Integrated News. June 28, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
- ^ Roque, Nika (January 4, 2025). "This hiking app hilariously lists Kamuning and Shaw as Philippine peaks". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved June 4, 2025.