Mayor Benjamin Magalong, July 20, 2026 said the city government will replace damaged tactile paving along Lower General Luna Road with materials that meet international standards after discovering that the previously installed units reportedly did not comply with accepted specifications.
He added that the existing yellow tactile paving, originally installed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), is being removed in sections as the city transitions to a better standard.
“We were assured that what was installed was the standard, but when we conducted our own research, we found out that it had actually been rejected and did not meet international standards,” the mayor claimed.
Meanwhile, the city has been exploring ways to improve pedestrian safety by developing a non-slip coating for the tactile paving. However, Magalong said the material tested along General Luna Road proved impractical despite its effectiveness in preventing slips.
“The sample we applied was non-slip, but it accumulated dirt very quickly, which is why you can now see that the tactile paving along General Luna has turned dark,” he explained.
Because of this, the city has decided to remove the experimental coating while continuing research and development for a more suitable material.
The mayor assured the public that only damaged tactile paving will be replaced for now, while the city continues to study long-term improvements.
He also announced that the city is preparing a P250-million multi-year sidewalk improvement project beginning next year. As part of the project, the local government will work closely with the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) and members of the visually impaired community to determine where tactile paving is most needed.
“We will consult our visually impaired residents so they can identify the areas where tactile paving should be installed,” Magalong said.
He noted that tactile paving will not be installed on every sidewalk because of its high cost, explaining that adding tactile paving can nearly double the cost of sidewalk construction.
Instead, the city plans to strategically install tactile paving in priority locations identified through consultations while incorporating improved sidewalk designs into future infrastructure projects.
For now, Magalong said the city has no plans to remove all existing tactile paving, emphasizing that research on a more durable and safer surface treatment remains ongoing. Only damaged sections will be replaced as work progresses, he said.**Gaby B. Keith
