Dino: No shortened routes for BRT

CEBU, Philippines — Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino says there will be no shortening of routes for the Bus Rapid Transit in Cebu.

"I think DOTr (Department of Transportation) has explained it nga wala may shortening of roads. It's just phasing," Dino said.

He said the phase system was established for partial operability of the project by 2022. Dino said it is an improvement from the initial BRT framework.

In his privilege speech delivered last August 27 in the House of Representatives, Cebu North District Rep. Raul del Mar asked for a hearing with the DOTr and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to inquire about their decision to shorten the BRT route to 13 kilometers from its original 23 kilometers.

According to him, the approved 13-kilometer route does not even cover key residential areas in Cebu.

Dino said the proposal to utilize four lanes for the BRT, leaving two lanes for private cars, is counterproductive to its goal of decongesting the traffic problem.

"That will create more havoc. That will create more chaos in Cebu...it will worsen the traffic situation," Dino said.

"I don't think del Mar knows what he is talking about," he added.

NEDA and DOTr plans to start the implementation of the BRT system by the end of the year. According to Dino, the improved BRT system is only part of the DOTr’s Integrated Intermodal Transport System (IITS).

Also a part of the plan is the monorail system to be completed by the second quarter of the next calendar year. Another component is the cable car system to be implemented in mountain barangays.

Meanwhile, Dino slammed politicians who criticized the Malasakit Center. He said these politicians were threatened after losing their political leverage because their endorsements are no longer necessary to avail of the benefits.

Dino, in a statement, said the Malasakit Center does not require endorsement from any politician for patients to avail of the medical- financial assistance from government agencies.

According to Dino, taking away endorsement from politicians makes the financial assistance available to all Filipinos regardless of political affiliation.

"These politicians whose main responsibility is to serve the public, do not really understand what they are criticizing. Their only goal is to create a political issue against a very popular Presidential Initiative. I ask them not to politicize the Malasakit Center," said Dino.

A brainchild program of Senator Bong Go, the Malasakit Center aims to bring all government medical-financial assistance easily available through one-stop-shop inside government hospitals to help indigent Filipinos.—  FPL (FREEMAN)