Mandaue, 2 towns to benefit from bus system

Sunday, June 1, 2014

A CEBUANO congressman welcomed yesterday the National Government’s approval of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) for Cebu City, saying its benefits will spread outside the city.

“An efficient mass transportation system will facilitate carriage of people, goods and services to improve overall commerce in our district, adjoining areas and the entire Province of Cebu,” said Rep. Gabriel Luis “Luigi” Quisumbing, who represents the Sixth District communities of Mandaue City, Consolacion and Cordova.

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Strategic locations

The city and two towns are strategic locations for growing industries and businesses, and will benefit “hugely” from the bus system that, if all goes well, will begin operating in 2017, Quisumbing said.

The 10.6-billion BRT project is among nine major projects approved last May 29 by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Board, chaired by President Aquino.

The BRT is a system that will include segregated bus lanes, covering a 16-kilometer route from N. Bacalso Ave. in the south to Talamban in the north.

“We are grateful that the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) has recognized the importance of an efficient mass transportation system in Cebu and really pushed for the approval of this project. Cebu is more than ready for the BRT. A convenient, reliable and efficient BRT will give Cebu a further push in its economic and social progress,” Quisumbing said.

Open for bidding

The BRT project was proposed to the DOTC when Engineer Nigel Paul Villarete served as the planning and development coordinator for the Cebu City Government.

Villarete, who is now the general manager of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), said that DOTC had started on the bidding process for the BRT’s detailed engineering design.

But the bids of the participating bidders were not yet opened, because of the questions from the President.

With the project’s approval by the Neda Board last May 29, the bids for the engineering design can now be opened, he said. (EOB)