Rama won’t lobby for BRT project approval

While he still believes in the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system project, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama won’t lobby for its approval before the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

“I’ve had enough embarrassment on what the (national leadership) have not acted on, on what is for the good for Cebu City,” Rama said, referring to the  government’s decision to bypass his choices for city police chief and treasurer.

Besides, Rama said President Benigno Aquino III already told Cebu allies that the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) has decided to defer action on the BRT because it wanted to clarify certain issues.

These include the viability of using existing city roads for the project that will traverse N. Bacalso Avenue in the south district, a portion of P. Del Rosario St. and Osmena Boulevard. N. Escario Street and Governor Cuenco Avenue.

The president said the government cannot afford to experiment on the multi-million peso project.

Rafael Yap, Cebu City Integrated Traffic Operations Management (Citom) chief, said the Jan. 18 NEDA meeting didn’t include the BRT in its agenda.

Rama said it’s now up to the DOTC to lobby for the BRT project’s approval.

He said he will still call a meeting with the BRT technical working group chaired by Yap for updates on the project.

Rama said he has the impression that the city’s BRT project lacked support from President Aquino, Transportation and Communications Secretary Emilio Joseph Abaya and Interior and Local Governments Secretary Mar Roxas.

He said it’s obvious that the Aquino administration prefers having a Light Rail Transit in Cebu instead of a BRT.

Rama said he’s opposed to the LRT project  since it will only cover the view of Cebu’s landmark sites like the Capitol.

“We are a heritage city, an old compact city. Cebu City’s pride is its status as an old city,” Rama said.

Rama said the possibility of losing the support of financial institutions due to delays in the BRT project implementation is the least of his concerns.

He said while there are financial institutions that don’t care how projects affect a locality, there are also those that support projects that will preserve heritage and the environment of the community. Chief of Reporters Doris Bongcac