Citing growth, heavy traffic JVR supports Talisay BRT route inclusion

CEBU, Philippines -  Mayor Johnny De los Reyes is supporting the move to extend to Talisay City the route of the proposed Cebu Bus Rapid Transit.

In the City Development Council meeting yesterday afternoon, De los Reyes said he sees no problem in extending the route's scope citing development in Talisay City.

With Talisay becoming part of the BRT route, De los Reyes hopes this will especially address the traffic condition near Tabunok area.

De los Reyes, who chairs CDC, will endorse his recommendation before the City Council for approval. The endorsement of CDC was supported by the city's 22 barangay captains and department heads who are members.

Under the current blueprint, the BRT system will stretch from N. Bacalso Avenue to Talamban in Cebu City.

However, Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority General Manager Nigel Paul Villarete, who was also present during the meeting, had asked endorsement for extension of BRT route from Bulacao, Cebu City to Tabunok, Talisay City.

Meanwhile, Cebu First District Representative Gerald Anthony Gullas Jr. believes that the BRT and a Light Rail Transit can coexist and provide Cebu's commuters with more choices.

Gullas is pushing for LRT in Cebu as he has filed House Bill 1338, which seeks to establish an LRT system in the province. It is now pending before the House Committee on Transportation.

In the original proposal, the proposed LRT in Cebu would have its final stops in Talisay City and Mandaue City.

These points, however, can later be expanded from Talisay to Dalaguete in the south and from Mandaue to Sogod in the north. (FREEMAN)