Sinulog yielding road to the BRT preferred

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Bus Rapid Transit project head Rafael Yap has agreed with the plan of suspended Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to transfer the Sinulog Grand Parade to the North Reclamation Area next year.

This plan, Yap said, would jibe with the implementation of the BRT project this year.

“It jibes…because if madayon atong plano to begin procurement this year prior the election ban, we will begin construction this year,” he told reporters.

Rama earlier announced his plan to move the Sinulog street dancing and the ritual showdown at NRA, specifically the city-owned Block 27.

He said he was aiming to have the people who will attend to Sinulog activities more dispersed.

“The ultimate end goal of Sinulog is to have it done at SRP (South Road Properties). While sa SRP ongoing sa ilang mga development, we can look at NRA in the meantime and transfer to SRP once a location is ready,” Yap said.

Rama is eyeing to set up a 50,000-capacity temporary Sinulog grandstand at the NRA for use for three years.

Meanwhile, Yap said he will already process the exemption from the Commission on Elections next week for the procurement process and implementation of the BRT project.

The P10.6-billion BRT is seen to address the city’s worsening traffic condition. Once in place, buses will traverse the city’s major thoroughfares such as N. Bacalso Avenue, Osmeña Boulevard, N. Escario Street, and Governor Cuenco Avenue.

Yap said the project’s first phase covers Osmeña Boulevard, which is a major part of the Sinulog Grand Parade carousel route.

Yap said the BRT project will start this year since it has fewer problems in terms of right-of-way acquisitions. — (FREEMAN)