City Council approves land purchase for CBRT Project

CEBU, Philippines — After two weeks of delay, the Cebu City Council has officially authorized Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia to sign the deed of sale for properties affected by the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project.

During its regular session on Wednesday, Councilor Nestor Archival Sr. reintroduced 14 resolutions concerning the acquisition of properties funded by the Department of Transportation (DOTr). With the council's approval—save for one abstention by Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera— Garcia now has the green light to finalize the purchase of affected lots along F. Vestil Street in Barangay Mambaling.

The resolutions cover the acquisition of properties from various owners, including six lots from Cruisers Property Management Corporation, two lots from Spouses Roger G. Mercado and Luz Verano Mercado, two lots from Emelita B. Cruz-Ortilano, two lots from Spouses Marcelo Pilapil and Erlinda Pilapil, and properties belonging to the heirs of Spouses Amando C. Sanchez and Marcelina S. Sanchez.

Archival assured the council that he had submitted all necessary documents requested during previous sessions, including a board resolution from Cruisers Property Management Corporation and the city’s legal opinion, which led to the earlier deferments.

The resolutions initially met resistance from council members, who criticized the DOTr for insufficient coordination regarding the project’s progress. Several councilors sought reassurance that the CBRT project is entirely funded by the national government, as some felt unfairly blamed for delays.

Amid these concerns, Archival emphasized the importance of addressing issues promptly to push forward the multi-billion-peso mass transport project. He described the CBRT as “feasible” and essential for improving Cebu City's transportation system.

Archival explained that, under the agreement with the World Bank—which provided funding for the CBRT’s construction—the Cebu City Government is responsible for acquiring the affected properties. He noted that the DOTr had already transferred funds amounting to P460,260,500 to the city in April 2017 for this purpose.

The approved resolutions confirm that the Lot Acquisition Committee began recommending properties with complete documentation for purchase as of July 18, 2024. Additionally, the council had granted conditional approval for the Resettlement Action Plan on October 23, 2024, allowing the Right-of-Way Acquisition to proceed along F. Vestil Street.

The Cebu Bus Rapid Transit System, as outlined in the Memorandum of Agreement between the DOTr and the Cebu City Government, will run through Cebu City's central business district, spanning from Bulacao in the southwest to Talamban in the northeast.

Once operational, the system aims to provide an integrated and sustainable public transport solution. It will feature dedicated BRT buses operating on exclusive lanes, supported by feeder routes that connect various points in the city to the main BRT stations.

The project, described as transformative for the city’s transit system, is envisioned to ease congestion and provide a seamless transport experience for Cebu City residents. — /FPL (FREEMAN)