Cebu City’ Php10.6-B BRT Project Put on Hold Until New Mayor Takes Over

The implementation of the Php10.6-billion Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in Cebu City has been put on hold as a new mayor is set to take over the city government on July 1.

Lawyer Rafael Yap, project manager of the Cebu BRT Project Implementation Unit, said they have to consult the new administration of incoming Mayor Tomas Osmeña who will take over the reins of the city government on June 30.

Yap earlier said he was drafting a memorandum of agreement for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7, the Cebu City government and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to outline their responsibilities.

Yap said the Cebu City government will lead the acquisition of the road-right-of-way (RROW) with the legal support of the DPWH, which owns the highways from Talamban to SM Seaside City, while the DOTC will compensate property owners that will be affected by the RROW acquisition.

But the DPWH 7 said it will not participate in the RROW acquisition for the BRT project because its role has not been defined.

“I cannot comment on the BRT since we have not received any guidelines,” said DPWH 7 Director Ador Canlas.

The BRT project is also set to affect 484 trees along its route, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7.

Dr. Eddie Llamedo, DENR 7 spokesperson, said they have recommended the removal of these trees, but the project’s proponents havw not acted on its request to submit requirements for a special tree-cutting permit. *(PNA) SCS/EB/PJN*