Would you walk the entire EDSA? Some people just did

MANILA, Philippines – A group of sustainability advocates walked the entirety of EDSA on Sunday morning, October 25.

#WalkEDSA, as the event was known, began at the SM Mall of Asia and ended at SM North EDSA 5 hours and 30 minutes later.

The 21.3-kilometer walk drew a large crowd of participants from a variety of professions – including medicine, architecture and outdoor recreation. It was organized by the Manila hub of the Global Shapers Community, a global network of sustainability advocates.

One of the walkers, Gideon Lasco, is a medical doctor, anthropologist and mountaineer. When asked about the walk’s purpose, he described it as “a good way to start a conversation about walking in Metro Manila and how we can make it a walkable city.”

Not an afterthought 

After the walk, participants re-convened at Capitol Commons, Pasig for “Talk the Walk,” a discussion on the obstacles to Metro Manila becoming a more walkable network. The consensus among participants was that improving walkability is “a social justice issue.” 

“Sidewalks are just an afterthought,” noted Kat Largo, one of the event’s organizers. According to landscape architect Joye Aguirre, sidewalks should ideally be at least 1.5 meters long, a rarity throughout EDSA.

Other issues raised amidst the dicussion include pollution, safety, and motorist disregard for pedestrians. Cherrie Atiliano, a sustainability advocate, commented on how, for many “EDSA is home,” refering to the families who have built their livelihoods around the freeway itself.

Walking is scientifically documented to accrue numerous benefits with regard to individual health and environmental sustainability. – Rappler.com 

Lorenzo Benitez is a Rappler intern. He is an incoming Cornell University student.