THE fate of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) will be known next week.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia yesterday said the final conclusive decision on Cebu’s BRT project, whether it will push through or not, will be determined on July 27 when members of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda)-Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) meet.
“There is a letter ready for signing by (Transportation) Secretary (Arthur) Tugade giving their final conclusive decision on the Cebu BRT,” said Pernia.
The Neda official expects the ICC will give its go signal for the Cebu BRT project, citing the already available feasibility studies and resources of the planned mass transport.
“My suspicion is based on our latest conversation with Secretary Tugade that it’s (BRT) a go with some amendments. That’s my expectation,” he said.
According to Pernia, Tugade suggested that instead of a 23-kilometer BRT project, they will limit it to a 17-kilometer BRT and the six remaining kilometers will be an above the ground monorail transit.
“The six kilometers is too narrow for a BRT, so gusto niya (he wants) instead of a BRT the remaining six kilometers ay iyong (will be a) skytrain, a monorail that is above the ground. That’s our latest conversation,” said Pernia.
The almost P17-billion project is envisioned to be a 23-kilometer BRT corridor (Bulacao-Ayala-Talamban) with segregated bus ways from Bulacao to Ayala (Cebu Business Park) and a link to Cebu’s South Road Properties.
Meanwhile, Pernia said that in the likelihood that the BRT project will not get the go signal, it will still be deliberated by other agencies under the ICC.
“Assuming that he (Tugade) will say na hindi pwede (no), hindi naman yun final eh kasi (it’s not final because) DOF (Department of Finance) has a view on it, Neda has a view on it, DBM (Department of Budget and Management) has a view on it, Public Works and Highways meron din (too). There are other members eh, that will be collegially deliberated, the collegial decision is what will matter. Hindi lang yung (It’s not only the decision of) DOTr,” he said.
Pernia tried to call Tugade yesterday regarding news that the BRT projects in Luzon and Cebu have been suspended, to no avail. (with HBL/SuperBalita Cebu)