Amid delay in new design: CBRT may operate sans station - Capitol

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Government said the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) can operate even without a station directly in front of the Cebu Provincial Capitol, as it awaits the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to present a physical mock-up or computer-generated simulation of the proposed station.

Provincial Administrator Atty. Ace Durano said the Capitol is no longer treating the proposed station as an immediate concern, provided that the BRT continues to operate.

“As far as the Capitol is concerned so far, the way it is operating okay raman nga walay station diha,” said Durano.

He said the provincial government’s main concern has been the possible impact of the station on the historic Capitol building, particularly its view from Fuente Osmeña Circle.

Durano said the last communication between the provincial government and the DOTr was a request for the transportation department to comply with the requirements raised by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).

“We haven't heard from DOTr kay ang katapusan ana communication to Gov to DOTr is for DOTr to comply with NHCP requirement,” he said.

According to Durano, the issue now centers on the proposed location and design of the Capitol station, particularly whether it would obstruct the Capitol’s line of sight.

“As far as Gov (Pamela Baricuatro) is concerned kay ang issue rajud ani kay ang Capitol station, kung anha ba ibutang sa tunga ug sa unsay design aron di ma block sa view,” he said.

The provincial government had earlier asked the DOTr to provide a physical mock-up or computer-generated representation of the proposed station so its impact could be assessed more clearly.

Earlier, Baricuatro said a visual representation would help the provincial government and the NHCP determine whether the proposed structure would affect the historic significance and visual corridor of the Capitol.

Durano had also said previously that the DOTr’s submitted drawings were not enough to provide a clear picture of the station’s actual impact.

“DOTr just submitted ilang drawing, nga di gyud matarong nimo… murag magtag-an lang gihapon ang tao ani kung naka-obstruct ba ni or dili,” Durano noted.

He said the governor’s position has remained consistent from the beginning: the project must secure the necessary NHCP approval before construction proceeds.

“From the very beginning… ang stand ni Gov (Baricuatro) is get the approval of NHCP. Mao man gyud to,” he said.

Durano added that the more important concern for the provincial government is ensuring that infrastructure already constructed and funded is actually being used.

“In fact mas importante nga magamit jud kung unsay naggasto diha,” he said.

He pointed out that the BRT lane in the area is already being used under Phase 1 of the project.

“Ang importante is naggamit man ang lane diha karon,” Durano said.

He also said the proposed Capitol station is primarily intended to provide convenience to commuters rather than being necessary for the BRT system to function.

“At the end of the day, that station is really for the convenience,” he said.

“Karon it’s not really a concern, not an issue,” Durano added.

The issue over the Capitol station arose from the NHCP’s position that the Cebu Provincial Capitol, declared a National Historical Landmark in 2008, must be protected from developments that could affect its historical and visual integrity.

The NHCP had raised concerns over the preservation of the Capitol’s unobstructed view, particularly along the area of Fuente Osmeña Circle.

The NHCP committee also recommended that Osmeña Boulevard be considered contiguous to the Capitol’s National Historical Landmark status, which would subject developments in the area to evaluation by the commission.

It also objected to the proposed BRT station’s current location, saying that simply reducing the structure’s height would not sufficiently address concerns over visual obstruction.

Osmeña Boulevard and nearby areas remain under provincial ownership, placing the provincial government in the position of safeguarding the area as property steward.

The issue comes amid a major restructuring of the CBRT project after the World Bank canceled $84.9 million in financing following a formal request from the Philippine government.

The restructuring was attributed to long-standing implementation delays and the inability to complete major components of the project before the World Bank loan expires on September 30, 2026.

The canceled financing includes a $25-million Clean Technology Fund grant and $59.9 million from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development loan.

The restructuring also removed Civil Works Packages 2 and 3, reducing the infrastructure budget from $255 million to $47.4 million.

The remaining infrastructure funding will cover completion of the first civil works package, limited land acquisition already undertaken, detailed engineering designs and project supervision.

With the restructuring, international funding will back only the 2.38-kilometer first phase of the project.

The removal of Civil Works Packages 2 and 3 also means the World Bank financing will no longer cover the planned CBRT trunk lanes through major roads such as N. Bacalso Avenue and the route between the Provincial Capitol and IT Park, as well as planned bus terminals, depots and 18 kilometers of feeder routes.

Engineering designs for the succeeding phases had already been completed, but construction did not begin due to delays in right-of-way acquisition.(CEBU NEWS)