City government ready to execute BRT

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said the city is ready to assume the responsibility of implementing the P16.3 billion Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.

The mayor welcomed the statement of Economic Secretary Ernesto Pernia that the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Investment Coordinating Committee might ask Cebu City to take over the project's implementation.

"We're ready to assume that responsibility," Osmeña told reporters.

"In Cebu City government, of course, we have our own internal capability so we can help facilitate the project faster," he said.

He said the project will be easier to implement here.

"It's not as difficult when you consider that there's no Talisay involved, there's no Mandaue involved. It's purely inside Cebu City. There could be complications and disagreements if it includes Lapu-Lapu, Talisay, and other LGUs," he said.

Hiring manpower will also not be a problem because the same is part of the budget that has been approved.

As of yesterday, however, Osmeña has not received direct instructions from NEDA-ICC.

The mayor said the project remains "frozen," because the Department of Transportation, the implementing agency, is against it.

"As of now, yes, because they want to block it, and they've been blocking it in defiance of the national policy," he said.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has been vocal on his stand against the BRT, which, for him, will not be effective in a congested and crowded city like Cebu City.

In a speech at the ASIA CEO forum in Manila, Tugade said he is not against the BRT but it should be implemented in a place where roads are not congested.

"I'm not against BRT system. It's a good system but start it on a platform that's grounded on ground zero. Meaning to say, it's not yet crowded or congested," he said.

Osmeña argued that Tugade should understand that the BRT works on a dedicated lane and in a congested area like Cebu City where public transportation is needed to discourage car owners to use their vehicles.

Last month, the NEDA-ICC convened after it received the recommendation of Tugade and Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino to cancel the project.

NEDA-ICC did not heed the recommendation and, instead, ordered DOTr to award the technical service consultant for the project. - JMO (FREEMAN)