Roxas and the BRT
The appointment of former senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas as transportation and communications secretary last Tuesday bodes well for Cebu, where his candidacy in last year’s elections drew support from major political figures.
Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district, who along with his allies campaigned for Roxas and eventual President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, cited the former senator’s contributions to Cebu City’s economic development particularly in encouraging call center companies and other investors to set up shop in the Queen City of the South.
Other influential political families like the Duranos of Cebu’s 5th district, who didn’t support Aquino’s run for the presidency, threw their support behind Roxas due to his close political ties with the family.
How Roxas fares as DOTC secretary in light of his assumption following the exit of his predecessor, the respected Jose “Ping” de Jesus, only time will tell, but Osmeña and the rest of the Cebuano legislators now have someone they can deal with directly in the choice of future mass transportation in the province.
Osmeña’s pet project, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), which would replace jeepneys on major roads of Cebu City, including the South Road Properties, remains a vision well suited for the city’s layout and budget.
So determined is he to get the BRT done, inspired by a similar system in Curatiba, Brazil, that Osmeña loudly spiked attempts last year by Cebu congressmen and the DOTC to push a mammoth, more costly Light Railway Transit (LRT) for Cebu when a public hearing was held last year.
Will Roxas, with his Liberal Party priorities, lean easily toward Osmeña’s vision?
Cebu City urgently needs a mass transport system to cope with its frenetic urban growth.
The BRT—based on factors of cost, less disruption to infrastructure and damage to landmarks in Cebu City, and adaptability to the current layout—fits the bill.
Buses on elevated ramps, using the same highway routes, with some modifications, would be a first for the country.
Heavy funding is still needed though for the BRT to take off though.
With a little push and lobbying, the project can gather steam especially with Secretary Roxas, whose Cebu connections have been emphasized.
Convenience for the riding public and a solution to the city’s choking traffic jams should be given top priority.
