The Cebu Provincial Board has called for a halt to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project along Osmeña Boulevard, particularly in front of the Provincial Capitol Building, citing concerns over economic impacts and heritage conservation.
During Monday’s session, the board unanimously passed two resolutions spearheaded by Sixth District Board Member Glenn Anthony Soco, chair of the committee on trade and industry, and Third District Board Member Atty. Jiembo Borgonia, chair of the committee on provincial properties.
BM Soco articulated the board’s apprehension that the BRT project would exacerbate traffic congestion not only within Cebu City but across the province, particularly affecting access to and from the southern parts of Cebu.
He highlighted the reduction in road space as a primary concern, indicating that the current traffic situation offers a preview of the challenges expected upon the project’s completion.
Soco emphasized the economic toll on both the public and private sectors, questioning the project’s viability given the negative experiences of other countries that have previously abandoned similar BRT systems.
The resolutions also addressed concerns related to heritage protection, with BM Borgonia pointing out the project’s potential to mar the scenic vista encompassing the Capitol Building, Osmeña Boulevard, and Fuente Osmeña Circle.
The Capitol Building, a National Historical Landmark, and its surroundings are safeguarded by a 200-meter heritage buffer zone under the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009. The board members argued that the BRT project’s bus stations could disrupt this historical vista and noted a lack of prior consultation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), as mandated by law.
To further discuss the implications of the BRT project, the Provincial Board has resolved to invite officials from the Department of Transportation to a forthcoming session, aiming to shed light on the project’s details and address the legislative body’s concerns. – CebuLifestyleChannel.ph