At no cost to city government: Lampposts removed

CEBU, Philippines — Two of the six “illegally” installed lampposts on Osmeña Boulevard as part of the “Link to Port” feature of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project were already removed Monday evening upon the order of acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia following public criticisms for being a traffic hazard.

Garcia ordered on Monday the immediate removal of the lampposts pending review of the project plan and approval of the permits from the city government.

Councilor Jerry Guardo, head of the technical infrastructure committee and the committee on infrastructure of the City Council, said the remaining lampposts were set to be removed last night. The removal was done by the CBRT contractor at no cost to the city government.

“Voluntary na nila,” Guardo told The Freeman.

The installation of these lampposts in the middle of the road has triggered public uproar due to being a traffic hazard. It was also found out that these were installed without the necessary permit from the city government.

Guardo said the CBRT management has been advised to review their proposed design of the “Link to the Port” feature which includes the pedestrianization of a portion of Osmeña Boulevard from corner P. Del Rosario until Plaza Independencia.

The Link to the Port feature is also said to be the “general direction” of the Cebu City Government as part of the plan to pedestrianize the downtown area to revitalize the Colon Street. Based on the plan, a section of Osmeña Boulevard-- from the corner of P. Del Rosario down to Sanciangko Street—shall be composed of two lanes per direction with bike lanes on both sides as well as an extended sidewalk. This will then be connected to a one-lane per direction road going to the Plaza Independencia but would feature an arcaded sidewalk and bike lanes on both sides.

The proposed design, however, is still subject to review. As soon as the review is done, the project will be implemented by block to observe the reaction of the public.

“Katong duol sa Plaza Independencia, unahon nila, then katong atubangan sa Comelec, then katong third block, and kining dapit sa Santo Niño, then atong obserbahan unsay reaction sa public if makita nila ang accomplishment,” said Guardo.

Guardo clarified that the removal of the lampposts does mean that these will be eliminated from the original design. He stressed that this is only temporary and will continue to be part of the Link to Port feature of CBRT project.

Guardo explained that the public could not appreciate the presence of the lampposts yet because the sidewalks are yet to be extended. According to Guardo, they need to extend the sidewalk first before installing the lampposts for the public to appreciate it.

Guardo said the contractor may continue the civil works of the 1.5-kilometer link to port component of CBRT project while the review is being done. The contractor, however, is urged to secure the necessary permit from the city government.

The CBRT is a priority project of the government funded through a foreign loan. The P28.78 billion project spans 35.28 kilometers which is originally set for completion next year. Due to unforeseen delays of the project the target date of completion was moved to 2027.

The project is divided into four packages—Package 1 covers the 2.38-kilometer route from Osmeña Boulevard to the South Bus Terminal; Package 2 is composed of 10.8 kilometer route from Mambaling, Escario, Capitol, and Gorordo Avenue; Package 3 is from Cebu IT Park to Barangay Talamban and from the South Road Property (SRP) to Talisay; Package 4 is from Bulacao to Mambaling, Ayala to IT Park, and a mixed traffic lane along the coastal road at the SRP and F. Vestil Street. — (FREEMAN)