Yap named “BRT czar”

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is eyeing City Traffic Operations Management Executive Director Rafael Yap as the city’s Bus Rapid Transit czar.

Rama wants to create a transportation office at the South Road Properties that Yap would supervise to monitor and assess the implementation of the P10.6-billion BRT, which is expected to be operational by 2017.

“The BRT needs focus, structure, people component, and professionalism. Yap has a heart for BRT as he also fought for it. He will head that very big transport office.  I always give a change for anyone to grow,” he said.

“Dako kaayo ning BRT project di’ nato ma-ignore in terms of the implementation and social impact kay di gyod lalim. The role of the city is so huge. It is not a joke, so it has to be done professionally,” he added.

Rama said Yap is suited for the job because of his “intelligence, technical understanding of BRT and managerial capacity.”

Yap is part of the team handling the Cebu-BRT project.

When sought for comment, Yap said he has yet to receive a memorandum from mayor on his plan, although he said he has no problem if it is what Rama wants.

“No problem ko ana actually. It’s one of the duties I help with anyhow,” he said.

Since Yap would soon be handling the transportation office, he may be replaced as Citom executive director by Jonathan Tumulak, Citom operations chief, or any persons qualified for the said position, Rama told reporters yesterday.

“It’s not going to be a problem. There is somebody who can assume Yap’s job like Joy Tumulak, but I still have to think about it,” he said.

Also, Rama said he has encouraged the 80 barangays to identify their respective “transportation czar” to who would oversee major transportation projects and policies, including traffic rules enforcement, in their respective areas.

Meanwhile, Rama said he does not want the trees lining the BRT route to halt the implementation of the mass transport system.

This, after 2,024 trees reportedly would be affected once the construction of the BRT facilities starts.

“(The trees) should not be primarily the reason to halt infrastructure projects because development needs also to be considered. We need to develop in order to serve more lives. If development is needed it is given that there are some areas that will be affected,” he said.

The mayor said there are other ways like pruning and earth-balling that could be adopted to save the trees while pursuing the project.  (FREEMAN)