Exemption of BRT from poll ban sought

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Bus Rapid Transit project head Rafael Yap said the Department of Transportation and Communi-cations has already sought for the exemption of the project from the election ban.

“Para makasugod na ta’s procurement also so that naa sa’y continuity sa next administration. The deadline was last week for all projects to be submitted for exemption to the Comelec,” Yap told reporters yesterday.

The Omnibus Election Code cited numerous prohibited acts during the March 25 to May 8 campaign period, one of which is the “construction of public works, delivery of materials for public works and issuance of treasury warrant or similar devises for a future undertaking chargeable against public funds.”

Yap said he is hoping that the request for the exemption will be granted within the first quarter of the year so they could start with the procurement or the bidding for the company that will undertake the project’s construction.

While waiting for Comelec’s approval, Kunhwa Engineering and Consultancy and officials of the World Bank are finalizing the detailed engineering design of the project, said Yap.

He said they are eyeing to procure the service of any company capable to undertake the project before the May 9 elections.

Yesterday, Yap and World Bank officials paid a courtesy call to Mayor Michael Rama, who had just been reinstated to the city’s top post after a 60-day suspension.

“It’s also a way to update him as to the project status,” said Yap.

The P10.6-billion BRT project is seen to address the city’s worsening traffic condition. Once in place, buses will traverse the city’s major thoroughfares such as N. Bacalso Avenue, Osmeña Boulevard, N. Escario Street and Governor Cuenco Avenue.

“Naa’y portions i-modify ang sidewalk. We are still evaluating construction sa bus way and station. Sa sidewalk, dili hilabtan sa large extent and sa center ra Indian and ornamental,” Yap said, adding that they are also waiting for the certification from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines on the declaration of heritage trees.

Yap was also invited by the council to update them of the project’s status in an executive session on February 17.

The BRT czar has also informed Councilor Nestor Archival, Sr., member of the project’s Technical Working Group, that they will be creating a subcommittee tasked to review the proposals from Kunhwa Engineering and Consultancy.

“This body shall work as a sub-committee under the Cebu BRT Technical Working Group. The purpose of the review body is to provide technical assistance in the decision making on matters requiring local LGU’s approval, in this case Cebu City,” Yap said.  (FREEMAN)