Garcia orders temporary removal of CBRT barriers

CEBU, Philippines — Just barely two days after they were installed, the removable separators along the route of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) on Osmeña Boulevard were pulled out following instructions by Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia.

After the installed barriers raised safety concerns due to vehicular accidents that occurred within just a day, Garcia directed the CBRT management to remove them within 48 hours.

This was the second time that separators intended to emphasize the dedicated lane for the buses were removed.

Garcia gave the instructions yesterday, Feb. 12, 2025, after inspecting the disputed barriers alongside CBRT Project Manager Engineer Norvin Imbong.

“I have already directed the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit contractor to remove all of these barriers within the next 48 hours. According to them, they will start today,” Garcia said.

“Nothing to worry… unya ato na ning limpyohon balik,” he added.

Garcia reiterated that the supposed barriers were indicators that no private vehicles were allowed inside the dedicated lanes.

Despite their removal, Garcia stressed that the barriers would be reinstalled once the CBRT project nears completion, highlighting the need to separate the buses from the other lanes.

He added that the barriers would only be installed once the buses start using their dedicated lanes.

In a previous interview, Imbong told reporters that these separators were replacements for those that had been previously removed, as it was decided that the barriers should be removable for safety considerations, especially during large events when the streets would be in use.

According to Garcia, these barriers were meant to simulate what the actual BRT operation will look like once completed. He labeled the installation as a “proof of concept.”

“So, ila namang nabuhat, okay na… Unya nalang gyud og duol-duol na ang pag-operate sa bus,” said Garcia.

The same type of barriers will be reinstalled, Garcia also clarified.

In line with this, Garcia highlighted that there are “not many” resources being wasted, as the action only requires labor since the barriers were only screwed into the roads, making them easy to install.

As for the exact date of their reinstallation, Garcia said there is no certainty yet, as civil works on Package 1 are still ongoing. It was previously targeted to be completed by March 5, 2025, according to an earlier statement from Imbong.

In an interview with Lawyer Kent Jongoy, Assistant Head of the Cebu City Traffic Office (CCTO), last Tuesday, he said that a status quo would be implemented, as the area on Osmeña Boulevard is fully equipped with traffic control devices.

He enumerated that it has road markings and signage, and that the separators were intended to be a traffic control device.

According to him, the separators were easily blamed for the accidents since they were newly installed and the public is not yet accustomed to them. He said that most people might not even be oriented about their purpose.

Since the CBRT is a nationally funded project, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the implementing agency, is responsible for informing the public about its purpose.

Jongoy said the separators were placed there in preparation for the dedicated lanes of the BRT. This means that the lane is intended for the buses that will be plying once the CBRT begins operation.

He further explained that under the Traffic Code, there is a “solid lane” that serves as a directive, prohibiting motorists from crossing, essentially preventing lane changes.

Fearing that the public would once again become unfamiliar with the barriers when they are reinstalled in the future, Garcia said it would be a different situation since the buses would also be present at the same time.

“Kay kung naa gyud ang mga buses, makasabot na gyud ang mga tawo nga di na gyud sila pwede musud diri, hence the need for the barrier,” Garcia said.

Garcia also apologized to the motorists who had tripped over the barriers. He emphasized that this is a national project and that the Cebuano people are the beneficiaries.

“It’s good that there is already close coordination with the Cebu City Government regarding this matter, maayo man sad sila kay mutuo man sila, musanong sad sila sa atong mga ideas,” said Garcia.

Yesterday, Garcia also mentioned that he instructed the team to beef up the reflectors for better lighting.  ATO (CEBU NEWS)