DOTr to fund feasibility study: Subway rail system eyed

CEBU, Philippines — An underground metro rail system is now being considered for Metro Cebu, with regional planners disclosing that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is set to fund a feasibility study for the project this year.

This was disclosed by Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, who is also the chairperson of the Regional Development Council (RDC) in Central Visayas, during the council’s full meeting in Danao City last Wednesday.

The proposed 67.5-kilometer Metro Rail Transit (MRT) system is part of the government’s long-term efforts to address the region’s growing transportation demands.

Asked about major infrastructure projects being pursued in Central Visayas, Baricuatro highlighted the proposed underground MRT as one of the region’s priority transport initiatives.

Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev)-7 Regional Director Jennifer Bretaña said the MRT is a key component of the broader Metro Cebu Urban Transport Master Plan, which seeks to establish an integrated public transportation network across the metropolis.

Bretaña said the rail system was originally designed to complement the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) system once the latter becomes fully operational.

“And that's what's good about Cebu, may plano. Supposed to be, it's the BRT sasaluhin ng MRT. It's really multi-modal, pag natapos nu’n,” she said.

She emphasized that the region’s transportation framework is intended to be interconnected rather than reliant on a single mode of transport.

“The transport system will not be efficient and effective kung BRT lang or MRT lang, dapat nag sasaluhan sila,” Bretaña said.

Under the master plan, the MRT was initially envisioned to proceed after the completion of the CBRT project. However, the DOTr has opted to begin preparations for the rail system by funding a feasibility study.

Bretaña welcomed the development, noting that the project will require significant investments and extensive technical assessments before construction can commence.

“So FS pa lang po ito kasi this is going to be a very big cost but we're happy that the DOTr is now pushing for funding of the feasibility study this year of the MRT,” she said.

Information presented during the RDC meeting showed that the DOTr has earmarked P426 million this year for the feasibility study, which will evaluate the technical, engineering, financial and operational requirements of the proposed urban rail system.

The transportation department is targeting October 2026 for the start of the study covering the Cebu Urban Mass Rapid Transit (UMRT), also referred to as the Metro Cebu Subway project.

Bretaña clarified that the proposed MRT is intended to serve the entire Metro Cebu area and will extend beyond the Cebu-Mandaue-Lapu-Lapu tri-city corridor.

“Kung matuloy po siya later, ang FS muna ngayon is for the Central Line and then magkakaroon siya ng South Line and North Line,” she said.

Based on the initial concept, the urban rail network will feature a main line spanning approximately 67.5 kilometers, connecting northern and southern Cebu from Danao City to Carcar City.

A separate 25-kilometer corridor is also being planned to provide direct connectivity to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

The proposed central line is expected to traverse Danao City, Liloan, Consolacion, Mandaue City, Cebu City, Talisay City, Naga City, San Fernando and Carcar City.

A coastal line is also being considered to pass through Talisay City, Cebu City, Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City. — /FPL (FREEMAN)