EDITORIAL - Time to implement a mass transport system in Cebu

The issue on the need to establish the light rail transit (LRT) in Cebu has been revived following President Rodrigo Duterte's pronouncement during his first State of the Nation Address that his government is pushing for the implementation of a mass transit system in the country's urban areas, including Metro Cebu.

Local officials favoring the LRT are now beginning to work for the realization of the system. For one, Cebu First District Representative Gerald Anthony "Samsam" Gullas said he will re-file his bill seeking to establish the LRT project in the province.

Even Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza have joined the call for the LRT's implementation as they see an urgent need for ways to solve the worsening traffic situation in Metro Cebu.

Since no less than the president has finally taken steps to solve this serious problem, it's time for our local officials to also intensify the effort for the realization of the mass transport system in Cebu. They should see to it that there is an immediate move on the part of the national government on the project. 

As the country's capital outside Metro Manila, Cebu badly needs a modern mass transport system to cope with its rapidly growing population. And many see the LRT as the best solution to the problem, which is already seriously taking toll on the local economy.

Yes, there is another mass transport system that is currently being pushed for the local scene. But the bus rapid transit is mainly for Cebu City only, leaving other areas in the metro with no other means of modern mass transport.

There's however no question that the LRT is more ideal than the BRT in terms of solving Metro Cebu's worsening traffic condition. It definitely has the advantage since it is being pushed to benefit a large area of Cebu than the BRT, which is only sidelined around Cebu City.