To be fully operational in 2017: NEDA gives BRT the green light

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City officials see the end of the growing traffic problem in the city as the National Economic Development Authority headed by President Benigno Aquino III approved finally the Cebu-Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system Thursday evening.

Cebu City Traffic Ope-rations Management executive director Rafael Yap confirmed this yesterday after he and the Department of Transportation and Communications officials attended the recently-concluded NEDA Board meeting held at Malacañang Palace.

“We are very happy that the NEDA board has approved the BRT project,” Yap said.

Of the P62.3-billion approved infrastructure, transportation, water supply and health care projects, the national government set aside P10.6 billion for the BRT project in Cebu.

The amount will be financed through loans from the Agence Francaise de Development and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

The BRT, a bus system where segregated lanes are made exclusive for the buses, is scheduled to operate by 2017. It is seen to help ease traffic congestion, provide fast, comfortable and cost-effective mobility and to ease the transportation problem in Cebu City.

Former Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña, who proposed the BRT project during his administration, said his effort has finally paid off.

“Now the whole world has adapted what is now known as the BRT. We could have been the first to use it in the entire Asia and the Pacific region over 20 years ago. And it will take another five years to make it operational. But I still have my reason to celebrate. The seed I planted sprouted! You know what it feels like to see a dream come true? This is it!” Osmeña said in a text message to The FREEMAN.

Mayor Michael Rama said everyone must be acknowledged since the success of the BRT system was a concerted effort.

“Everybody should be given recognition. Nibunga ang paninguha sa tanan. Nalipay ko at least karon gitagaan na og focus sa national government ang Cebu and this is a very welcome development for Cebuanos,” Rama said, adding that the traffic problem in the city will finally be addressed.

DOTC undersecretary for planning and vice chairman of the Special Bids and Awards Committee Rene Limcaoco said the project approval sets as “tipping point” for DOTC to commence the bidding for a detailed engineering design that will identity and quantify all the essential works needed for the implementation of BRT construction.

The detailed engineering design of the project and procurement for construction services will last eight months while the actual project implementation will take at least two years to finish.

The DOTC is expected to award the detailed engineering design contract within the year.

Yap said the creation of a social impact management will also be established to work on the right-of-way acquisition and measures on how to mitigate the impact of BRT on the Public Utility Jeepney sector.

He also said the move will also lead upgrading of the city’s traffic system that has not been upgraded since 1991.

Yap said once the BRT system is in place there would be rerouting in major thoroughfares in the city, but he also assured that the PUJs will not be dislocated.

“The role of PUJ along the corridors will be transformed. Sila na ang feeder services instead of trunk services. There will still be PUJ but their role in the overall transport scheme will be transformed,” Yap clarified.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board recorded over 2,600 jeepney drivers of 1,310 units are plying 90 PUJ routes. At least 22 PUJ routes are reportedly to be restructured once the BRT is in place.

The buses will occupy the city’s major thoroughfares, including N. Bacalso Avenue, Osmeña Boulevard, N. Escario Street and Governor Cuenco Avenue, where jeepneys also ply their routes. Reportedly, 240 long buses will be deployed to serve 14 designated stations from Bulacao to Talamban.

As to employment, Yap said BRT “represents a significant employment opportunity not just for PUJ drivers but for everyone. It seeks to employ drivers, mechanics, office personnel, among others. And, there is really a huge market of employment in the implementation of BRT”.

“This is a dream come true. We are so happy that finally, the Philippine government approved the project,” said Paul Nigel Villarete, co-chairman of the Regional Management Council-DOTC. —/BRP (FREEMAN)