Brt Project: Material for Capitol station can be stored at SRP

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Government is open to providing space at the South Road Properties (SRP) to store the materials of the bus station of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project in front of the Cebu Provincial Capitol following its plans to be removed.

This is what Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia offered following the announcement that the bus station of the CBRT in front of the Capitol Building may be removed. Garcia said there has been a “verbal request” to remove the bus station which will soon be followed by a letter from Engineer Norvin Imbong, CBRT project manager.

He added that the removal also stemmed from the request of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to which the mayor has also nodded. In support of this, he said Cebu City is open to providing a space for the materials once the structure is removed.

“I am open to let them put their materials there (SRP) because I know for a fact pwede man gud na nila magamit pagabalik kay naa may ubang stations from Package 2 ug Package 3, nga magamit gihapon nila just for storage purposes I am open for that,” said Garcia.

As for the plan to redesign the bus station to avoid compromising the image of the Capitol Building which is considered a cultural heritage, Garcia said such discussion wasn’t raised during their meeting with the World Bank.

Phase 1 of the CBRT has been ongoing but part of the project, specifically the one fronting the Cebu Provincial Capitol, was halted earlier this year following Governor Garcia’s cease and desist order on the construction of the CBRT along Osmeña Boulevard, citing potential heritage law violations.

Meanwhile, Garcia is now just waiting for the report of the council to also deal on the loan agreement granted by the World Bank, which was set to lapse in June 2026.

He said in his meeting with the World Bank last Friday, the latter said they want the said loan deposited particularly in the Cebu City Government. The Cebu City Government was the one tasked with purchasing the land for the purchase of the road right of way of the affected areas for the CBRT route.

Aside from this, the Cebu City Government is also the one responsible for the acquisition intended the resettlement action plan for those who will be displaced on the CBRT route.

Previously, the Cebu City Council created an ad hoc committee to look into the alleged irregularities in the purchase of land intended for the displaced individuals who will be affected by CBRT packages 2 and 3.

However, the contentious issue that the council has found is that all three lots that were identified and recommended were owned only by one corporation. Among the three, there is already one lot that was chosen, located in Barangay Tejero.

But Garcia said that the formation of committee, to be composed of members from the executive branch, is not delaying the implementation of the resettlement action plan, adding that he was just waiting for the council’s official report.

“Morespeto baya g’yud ta sa council kung unsa ilang suggestion. Morespeto ko, I will wait for that report and hopefully I can have that very soon,” said Garcia.

With the visit of the World Bank to Cebu City, Garcia said they are willing to expedite the resettlement action plan so that the CBRT project progresses.

When asked what could happen if the loan grant lapses, Garcia admitted he doesn’t have any idea what could be the result or if the city has more chances to seal another loan agreement.

“It has been extended several times, that’s the big question mark, so I don't know what are the other options left if mo-lapse ang loan agreement,” said Garcia.

It was reported the Department of Transportation has downloaded the budget appropriation of ?450 million for the land acquisition two years ago. The supposed beneficiaries of the resettlement action plan are those in Barangay Mambaling who will be displaced in Package 2. — (FREEMAN)