CEBU CITY (Feb. 8, 2024) – Mayor Mike Rama assured the public that there is no need to fret over the reported funding shortfall to complete the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project, particularly in acquiring road-right-of-way (RROW).
He underscored the need for the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to use available funds wisely rather than fixating on securing additional P1 billion budget.
“No, let’s not talk about it,” Rama told moderator Vilma Andales when asked if he would seek for more funds during the Ingna’ng Mayor segment of Sugboanon Channel earlier today.
“Let (DOTr) first focus on what can be finished. Remove all worries for the obstruction and let’s go forward without putting preconditions. Naa pa man diha ang kwarta,” he pointed out.
Mayor Rama expressed confidence in finding solutions for the budget gap, citing various options available.
“This should not cause panic. When there is a budget gap for road right-of-way, there are alternatives. It’s not a looming darkness. I see it as a challenge, not a cause for worry,” he said mainly in Cebuano.
Addressing the project timeline, Mayor Rama acknowledged delays in Package 1’s completion but affirmed efforts to realign progress with the original schedule.
“Let’s not dwell in the past. The world is embracing smart city concepts and integrated transport systems. Everything is interconnected, including traditional jeepneys,” he emphasized.
He underscored the comprehensive studies on the CBRT project, including its social impact and support measures for affected drivers, dismissing critics lacking a full understanding of the initiative.
“Some may claim to be experts overnight, but we have a complete program. Some are only experts now because they’ve just started paying attention, or they haven’t researched how the BRT project began,” Rama remarked.
With President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. still be president until 2028, Rama said DOTr could work out a solution.
Skyrocketed
CBRT project manager Engr. Norvin Imbong reported to the City Council in an executive session on Wednesday morning, Feb. 7, 2024, that the project cost skyrocketed to P28.779 billion last year.
This developed after the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) made a reassessment of the project, including RROW acquisition, he said.
Imbong recalled the project started in 2014 with P10.617 billion, but projected cost increased to P16.307 billion in 2017 with the project still not physically started.
President Marcos oversaw the groundbreaking on Feb. 27 last year with DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista at the Osmeña Blvd. junction south of the Fuente Osmeña roundabout.
Imbong told the Council that CBRT consists of 22 stations, 62 bus stops, two trunk terminals, and two feeder terminals.
But current works are still under Package 1 from Cebu South Bus Terminal towards the Provincial Capitol that should have been completed last December 2023, he disclosed.
He explained that “problems” led to the “recalibration” until June 2024, already the supposed schedule of the first partial operations.
| PPRMN / cte
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