Labella endorses P80-billion proposal: Cebu rail backed

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella has vowed to endorse the Cebu Rail Project (CRP) once it is submitted to the Cebu City Development Council (CCDC).

Udenna Infrastructure Corporation was granted the original proponent status for the P80-billion CRP.

The project, which includes a monorail system, however, needs endorsements from the CCDC and the Regional Development Council (RDC).

“We will endorse it. We will support it. As I’ve said, we will support the national government’s thrust,” Labella told reporters.

The mayor said he has no idea if the project has been submitted for the endorsement of the CCDC, as of yesterday.

But, Labella had said he would endorse the project as soon as it is submitted to the city government.

He said the CRP is part of the Integrated Intermodal Transport System (IITS) for Metro Cebu.

“That’s part of the integrated intermodal traffic system that will cover not just Cebu City but the other neighboring cities…This is one of the better ways to support the (resolution of the) traffic problem,” he added.

The Department of Transportation has yet to endorse the CRP to the National Economic and Development Authority for technical review.

As this stands, other firms have the chance to submit its counter-proposal against Udenna’s P80-billion CRP under the Swiss Challenge.

At present, Labella said the city will assist the implementation of the multi-billion Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project which is part of the Metro Cebu’s IITS.

“There is a provision in the local government code that all nationally-funded projects, the local government units must be involved,” he said.

The mayor said the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Works and Highways are completing the final list of properties that will be affected by the implementation of the project.

He said there are structures along the BRT route that will be purchased by the government to pave way for the construction of stations or terminals.

Labella said that, just like the BRT project implementation, the city government will collaborate with national government officials for the implementation of other projects that would benefit the residents of the city. —  GAN (FREEMAN)