CBRT Station across capitol: Compromise with Province urged

CEBU, Philippines — City Councilor Nestor Archival Sr., who is running for mayor in the 2025 elections, has suggested yesterday that Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia should work out a compromise with the Cebu provincial government on the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) station meant to be built in front of the Capitol.

He said the acting mayor should take advantage of the "good relationship" between Cebu City and the Provincial Government to resolve the matter. Construction of the bus station is currently on hold due to objections by the Capitol.

"I think there is a failure of communication," said Archival in an Openline news forum yesterday.

"Karon kay pareha man sila’g (Acting Mayor Garcia and Gov. Gwen Garcia) apilyedo, they are very close. Ang punto man gud, di man sila ganahan sa BRT, so how can we help the BRT if the two of them do not like," he also alleged.

Both the acting mayor and the governor, though, had already stated that they are not against the project. Both have only expressed concern over the bus station, which blocks the view of the Capitol, which is a national historical landmark.

In particular, Gov. Garcia invoked the principle of “vista corridor” or the unimpeded view of the Capitol from Fuente Rotunda, the area being a heritage zone.

Archival also admitted that he is unaware of the recent developments of the status of the CBRT construction.

He said it has been two months since the Department of Transportation sat with the City Council to apprise the body on the progress of the national government project.

He said he was also unaware of the “Link to Port” feature of Phase 1, or the increased pedestrianization of the portion of Osmen?a Blvd, from the corner of P. del Rosario St. to Plaza Independencia.

He said they also have yet to officially receive a formal application for a permit to commence civil works on Link to Port component.

Archival who served as councilor since 2014 advocated for the continuation of the CBRT, saying a huge amount of money has already been invested into it.

In the same forum, Archival reiterated the importance of the revival of the “Citizen's Hour” during the City Council session, for the members to hear the side of the public on projects like the CBRT.

On the problem of flooding in Cebu City, Archival said there could be short-, medium- and long-term plans to mitigate the situation.

“Before gyud dapat sa ting-uwan, all the canals should be declogged. Kuhaan gyud na aron sa moment nga mag-uwan, ang tanang tubig muagi gyud sa drainage,” he said.

He said the government has a waste management problem, which to him is primarily due to the lack of segregation.

Apart from this, he said the long-term plans also include the creation of mini dams that will serve as rainwater catchments around the mountainous areas, just beside the rivers.

“Nganong karon pa man ta magpalit og declogger? Nganong paliton pa man ni nato nga naa man tay declogger,” he said.

He was referring to the proposed appropriation of P24 million sponsored by City Councilor Jerry Guardo for the purchase of a declogging machine, which the councilor withdrew for revision due to the lack of specifications and detailed viability of the purchase when Guardo requested for its approval during their session last July 24.

In the session, Guardo already explained to his colleagues that the declogging machine that the city currently has is not effective for the task required by the City’s Task Force Gubat sa Baha.

Guardo will refile his appropriation resolution once the requested specifications and the viability information are already ready. — (FREEMAN)