DOTR: P16.5 billion modified Cebu BRT project to push through

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade assured the public Monday that the P16.5 billion Cebu Bus Rapid Transport Project (BRT) will push through.

Tugade said the project, which was conceived in 2010 and has secured a loan with the World Bank in 2011, has just been modified to suit the conditions of Cebu’s streets.

“When we took over in 2016, we had an inspection there. May mga kalsada na one lane lang, kapag nilagyan mo pa ng BRT, sakit ng ulo ‘yan,” Tugade said in an ANC interview.

“Kaya napagkasunduan na gawing multi-modal transportation system na may BRT, LRT (Light Rail Transit), P2P (point-to-point buses). Mayroon rin connectivity from the airport,” he added.

The DOTR chief said the inter-modal system, including the route from the airport to the city proper, is crucial not only for Cebuanos but for all travelers.

“Tuloy po iyon, iyong Phase 1 po ng procurement will be started by the end of the year,” Tugade said.

Likewise, Tugade said the government has yet to disburse the budget for the Cebu BRT project.

“We only paid commitment fee, interest. Pero iyong budget, wala pang (released),” he said.

Senator Nancy Binay earlier questioned the feasibility of the said project, considering its construction is yet to start almost a decade since the project was approved.—AOL, GMA News