Government infra plan includes railway project for Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - A five-line railway project in Cebu is among the projects now being developed by the Department of Transportation as part of the Duterte administration's golden age of infrastructure.

In a statement of the Department of Finance listing a total of 64 big-ticket projects that are part of the government's infrastructure buildup nationwide, the Cebu railway project is among the 13 railway projects being developed now by DOTr.

According to DOF, the Cebu railway project will have five lines. Based on previous reports, the DOTr detailed a 25-kilometer Cebu rail project costing P98 billion, including right of way.

These 64 big-ticket projects range from major road networks, railway systems and bus rapid transit systems to airport and seaport modernization that are either for implementation or in the pipeline as part of the Duterte administration’s massive infrastructure program.

Glenn Soco, chair of the Infrastructure Development Committee of the Regional Development Council, said there had been proposals to build mass transport systems in Cebu particularly a light rail transit (LRT) system.

"Only intent and initial discussions as of the moment with no further details," Soco said.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia had said last year the government received an unsolicited proposal from a South Korean company to build an LRT in Metro Cebu that would boost development and provide an alternative transport for workers and businesses.

Citing Metro Cebu as an attractive metropolitan area, Pernia had said putting more infrastructure in Cebu would draw in more investors and businesses.

The planned LRT system will also complement the P10.6-billion Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project that is funded by the World Bank.

The 16-kilometer Cebu BRT, which includes the construction of bus ways bus stations and other facilities, stretches from Bulacao to Talamban.

Aside from extensive rail development, the DOTr is also implementing at least three Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, establishing 77 km of segregated busways and improving pedestrian and bikeway facilities. One of which is the Cebu BRT.

The development, operations and maintenance of the New Panglao Bohol Airport is also among the public-private partnership (PPP) projects currently undergoing bidding.

Cebu is in dire need of quality, fast and reliable mass transit systems to decongest its main roads where traffic is getting worse due to the increasing car volume.

Cebu's low quality and unreliable mass transport, the jeepneys, has not been able to keep up with the demands of Cebu's rising economic and increasing population.

The increasing volume of vehicles plying inadequate roads and highways in the metropolis has contributed to the traffic woes. (FREEMAN)