Sunday, September 07, 2008 Malilong: BRT won't go beyond feasibility study By Frank Malilong The Other Side
I LIKE the idea of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. Anything that promises to end the reign of the twins, jeepney and anarchy, in our streets is worth trying.
It is doubtful, however, if the project will go beyond the feasibility study stage. There are just too many factors working against it.
As early as in 1996, Mayor Tomas Osmeña saw how the system worked when he and some advisers went to Colombia and was convinced that it was just what the doctor prescribed for his city’s traffic ills. Nothing came out of that trip, however.
Reason? The pressure from jeepney operators and drivers was so strong as to melt away whatever resolve he had to apply what he learned from his visit to that South American country. The idea was bold and daring but it also promised to be politically costly.
You need political will to execute the plan, said one of the handouts distributed during the orientation seminar on the BRT at City Hall last Thursday. In 1996, Osmeña didn’t have this as he himself admitted, albeit impliedly, during the open forum.
Now, two years before the expiration of his third term, he declares himself ready to make “one big kick.” Never mind if they won’t vote for me anymore, he said.
That is easy to understand. He is barred from seeking re-election and, if we believe him, he is not interested in running for office in 2010.
But wouldn’t he mind that the jeepney drivers and operators and their families, relatives and neighbors wouldn’t vote for his chosen ones? Is he willing to lose control of City Hall if only to leave a legacy to the people in the form of an efficient mass transport system?
What makes Osmena think that Michael Rama, who at present is his anointed successor, will be less concerned with the votes that he could potentially lose as Tommy was in 1996? Rama may want to become a good mayor but before he can be that, he has to get elected first. Is Mike willing to damn the torpedoes by declaring unequivocally his support for the BRT?
In a close contest, every vote counts. 2010 could have one of the tightest races for Cebu City mayor since Osmeña will no longer be a candidate and assuming that the opposition can come up with a strong and credible bet.
I hope to be proven wrong but from where I sit, I see the BRT going the way of the lovely girl who is orphaned and whom nobody wants to adopt.
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Speaking of the 2010 elections, whoever it is that the BO-PK plans to field as its congressional candidate in the city’s south district should be told to start moving around if he doesn’t want to let Atan Guardo gain further headway.
The south has always been a problem to BO-PK and it doesn’t look any easier this time because Guardo not only has the money, he has also the benefit of experience from his failed bid in 2007.
It would be personally embarrassing for Osmeña to lose the south to the opposition because he lives in Guadalupe, which belongs to the district. The incumbent congressman, Tony Cuenco, is no longer eligible for re-election but even if he is, Osmeña would probably not support him anymore.
Two “graduating” councilors are being mentioned as possible replacements: Bebot Abellanosa and Gerry Carillo. But Gerry doesn’t have the money while Abellanosa rubbed people, including his own teammates, the wrong way in 2007 because of his individualistic campaign tactics.
So who could the BO-PK candidate possibly field who can thwart Guardo’s strong challenge?
