CBRT link to port component: Streets ‘not ready yet’ for pedestrianization

CEBU, Philippines — There is still no formal application yet on the reinstallation of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit’s (CBRT) “Link to Port” lampposts before the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO).

This is what CCTO Assistant Head Kent Jongoy said yesterday, as he emphasized the gradual implementation of the Link to the Port feature of the CBRT, adding that the Cebu City streets are not ready yet for it.

The Link to Port component of the CBRT will “pedestrianize” the portion of Osmen?a Blvd. from its junction with P. del Rosario Street up to the Plaza Independencia area. It would do this by expanding the sidewalk by including one lane of each side into the expanded sidewalk, leaving just a lane for vehicular traffic on its side.

In a news forum yesterday, Jongoy said the Traffic Management Coordination Committee (TMCC) is steadfast in its position that it only approved the asphalt overlay for the sidewalk and not the installation of the lamppost, which a few days back earned the ire of the people because they were installed in the middle of the soon-to-be-converted-to-a-sidewalk driving lane.

Due to public clamor, Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia ordered the removal of the lampposts, especially that their installation lacked the required

The lampposts are now removed upon the order of Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, upon knowing that they didn’t have any permits from the city government, including the City Council.

Currently, Jongoy said that they have one member from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) who sits with them at the TMCC board, to give them weekly updates on the Link to the Port proposal.

During their last meeting with DOTr alongside the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) Project Manager Norvie Imbong, Jongoy said they are now in constant coordination with the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO).

He said added that they asked the CBRT management to submit an endorsement from the CPDO and the permit from the Office of the Building Official (OBO). Upon submission of these permits, Jongoy said they can then proceed in filing a recommendation before the Cebu City Council.

Jongoy emphasized that such permits are important since the Link to Port feature permanently closes a portion of Osmeña Boulevard. Under the Local Government Code, a permanent closure of a street requires an ordinance.

“Taas-taas gyud na sya nga agion, I hope they know that, the BRT project manager himself,” he said.

This indicated, he added, that no formal application had been filed on their table yet.

He further said that the portion of Osmen?a Blvd. for the Link to Port project “is not ready yet for it to be closed even partially for the pedestrianization.”

“Kay for one, we have this concept called calming of traffic, we have yet to at least initiate that scheme around the area. Considering that the 60 to 70% of our routes sa atong mag jeepneys traversing that area, many establishments are there, aside from that, many schools,” he said.

Jongoy also said that there could be a possibility that with the implementation of Link to the Port, “accessibility” will be the problem in the area. As the concept of the feature is to narrow down the streets to one lane, Jongoy said that they are hopeful to open up the adjacent streets.

“So dako-dako na sya nga trabaho sa amoa nga side kay definitely we will now reroute all our public utility jeepneys,” said Jongoy. — (FREEMAN)