Environmental consultant: BRT impact only temporary

CEBU, Philippines - Disturbance of vehicular traffic; interruption to power, water and telecommunication services; noise and dust pollution and loss of vegetation are only some of the possible environmental impacts of the Bus Rapid Transit during the construction phase.

The potential environmental and social impacts of the BRT project were presented to different stakeholders in yesterday’s public consultation at the Cebu City Hall.

Dr. David Green, an environmental impact specialist, together with Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) consultants made an initial assessment of the environmental and social impacts, and recommended initial mitigating measures.

Delfin San Pedro, an environmental consultant, said that all environmental impacts are temporary and that in one to two years, Cebuanos will have a better mass transportation system that will last for several years.

Green, an environmental specialist, said that the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (EMB-DENR) will closely monitor the implementation of the Environmental Management Plan (EMP).

Among the potential environmental impacts identified by the Environment Impact Assessment team are the disturbance of vehicular traffic and pedestrians; interruption to power, water, telecom and other utility systems; and pollution due to solid and liquid wastes, hazardous wastes and excavation spoils generation, among others.

Green clarified that the transportation along the BRT corridor when the construction starts will not be paralyzed.

“There will be a traffic management plan to be implemented. We have to keep the city running,” Green said.

The City Traffic Operations Management shall take care of the traffic management to make sure that the public will still get to their destination. People are warned that during the construction phase, the establishments and buildings along the BRT corridor will be less accessible.

Green said that before the construction starts, all utility systems must be re-provisioned so the supply will not have to be suspended.

There will be a waste management and spoil management plan to address the pollution. A drainage management plan is also underway to address the potential ponding and flooding within the project site.

He assured that noise pollution during the operation phase will meet the DENR noise standards with special treatment to sensitive areas such as schools and hospitals. Noise barriers will be installed in sensitive areas when necessary.

The BRT project will be using green buses that reduce green house gases emission. The operation of the stations will also not be too dependent on the existing power source as each station will have solar panels that capture solar energy to supply power to the station.

Among the social impact of the project is the disruption of economic livelihood of the jeepney drivers, terminals, residences and ambulant or sidewalk vendors.

Some jeepney routes will be rerouted and many drivers might lose their jobs but the BRT will hire them. The BRT will generate some 1,500 jobs, one third of which will be bus drivers. Jeepney drivers with professional training and who will lose their jobs, will be prioritized.

The project team is also preparing for the anxiety among stakeholders due to lack of awareness about the project. The consultants will be holding a series of consultations to ensure social acceptability.

Since establishments, schools and other destinations will be less accessible, building of more flyovers for pedestrians with escalators and stairs is proposed. The vulnerability of persons with disabilities and senior citizens will also be looked into.

Woodfields Consultants Inc., a consultancy firm based in Manila conducted the EIA.  (FREEMAN)