Garganera: Respondents misled in SWS survey

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera believes that the respondents were misled in the recent Social Weather Station survey that says majority of the Cebuanos are supporting the controversial Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.

Garganera said that the respondents were made to believe that road widening will be integrated in the BRT project.

“The populace thought that there is widening in the entire route, sad to say there is none. Dedicated lanes can never be achieved with the given narrow roads we have in the BRT route. BRT can only be achieved if there are dedicated lanes,” Garganera told The FREEMAN.

The 21-kilometer BRT route will traverse N. Bacalso Avenue, the South Road Properties, Osmeña Boulevard, N. Escario Street, and Governor Cuenco Avenue. Despite the survey results, however, Garganera said it will not change the fact that the project has been shelved by the Department of Transportation.

“The survey said that the city voters want an efficient mass transport, and BRT is the answer. Unfortunately, they were not informed of the fact that BRT can’t operate without a dedicated lane because of the city’s very narrow road,” he said.

A survey of at least 300 registered voters in Cebu City was conducted by the SWS from April 29 to May 1, 2018. It was commissioned by Lawyer Paul Nejudne from Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.

The results of the survey shows that of the 300 registered voters, 216 wants BRT project to be implemented for they believe that it will reduce vehicle traffic. Others include it will provide the city wider lanes, allows organized mass transportation for the public, reduce travel time, facilitate easier and comfortable transportation, among others.

The data shows that 46 percent of the respondents are from the north district and 54 percent from south district. Only seven percent says that they are against it while 21 percent of the respondents are undecided. Those who are against the implementation of the BRT project said that the roads in the city are congested.

Councilor Jose Daluz III said the proponents should move on because the national government has already deferred the project.

“What can I say? The national has shelved the project. Let’s just move on,” he said.

The Investment Coordination Committee of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has directed the DOTr to present more arguments why the project should be cancelled. DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade and Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino earlier asked the NEDA-ICC to cancel the project citing delay in its implementation that is causing the government millions of pesos in commitment fees to its creditors. (FREEMAN)