Cebu City steps up drive on BRT

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government has now intensified its information drive on the establishment of the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT).

Yesterday, the City Hall, through the City Planning and Development Office has conducted an orientation among the youth sector on the idea of having a mass or urban transport system in the city.

CPDO head Engr. Nigel Paul Villarete said the youth composed the second leg in the information campaign which started in April with the several homeowners associations.

The homeowners association orientation was done in coordination with the office of the City Administrator under Francisco Fernandez, who is the founder Pagtambayayong Foundation.

Participants to yesterday’s orientation were members of the Cebu Bloggers Association and the Skyscraper City dot Com-Cebu Chapter.

These organizations, Villarete said, are composed of students and young professionals who could act as storytellers or informers about the BRT.

Villarete said they will also tap another organization present in many universities which is the Clean Air Youth Association (CAYA).

SSC-Cebu president Roy David said they had been exposed to the BRT concept in several discussions in their website. He said part of their advocacy is pushing for initiatives which will improve the environment and personally, he is all sold in the idea of having the BRT in the city.

Siljin Pineda, of Cebu Bloggers said they are also aiming to be advocates to combat global warming particularly in Cebu but said they still have a few questions about the BRT concept.    

The BRT is like a Light Rail Transit (LRT) system but buses ply the trail instead of train. One of the most successful BRT systems is that of Bogota, Columbia under the administration of former Mayor Enrique Peñalosa which Mayor Tomas Osmeña is trying to replicate in Cebu City. Studies for its establishment here are already being processed.

World Bank recently released a $150 million for the study and the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) is also set to undertake its own but complimentary study. — Ferliza C. Contratista/WAB (THE FREEMAN)