Garcia to Duterte: Include Metro Cebu in monorail plan, please

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwendolyn “Gwen” Garcia has agreed with President Rodrigo Duterte that it is high time for a monorail system to be implemented in Cebu.

“That is really very much needed. And, we really have to thank the president kay he is so concerned,” Garcia told reporters during a press conference in Madridejos, Bantayan Islands on January 24.

Garcia also expressed her hope that the president would consider extending this plan beyond Cebu City, to the entire stretch of the Metropolitan Cebu area.

“I hope, though, that this should extend beyond Cebu City. That they should cover at least the Metro Cebu area,” she said.

Metro Cebu spans from Danao City in the north all the way to the City of Carcar in the south.

During the closing ceremonies of the Sinulog Grand showdown on January 19, Duterte delivered a speech that mainly tackled his plans on fixing the traffic problem of Cebu City. According to Duterte, the traffic congestion is primarily caused by the narrowness of its roads.

He further went on to promote his plans in implementing a monorail system in Cebu, promising that he would source out the funds for this infrastructure project.

The monorail system is part of the intermodal transport system, which includes the Bus Rapid Transit System.

Should Duterte decide to implement the monorail system in Metro Cebu, he would be more than able to with the emergency powers given to him by the Provincial Board. The emergency powers were granted through a resolution declaring a traffic crisis last October 14, 2019.

The resolution follows the passage of Senate Bill No. 1284 or An Act Compelling the Government to Address the Transportation and Congestion Crisis Through the Grant of Emergency Powers to the President. (FREEMAN)