Transport groups laud freeze on BRT

While jeepney operators and drivers continue to hold rallies against the phaseout of aging units and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), commuters have to endure transport strikes and holidays by hitching on the few jeepneys plying on the streets. (CDN FILE PHOTO)

Some transport leaders in Cebu welcomed the decision by the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) to put on hold the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in Cebu City.

“Supak me ana sa una pa kay wala pa juy klaro kung unsay mahitabo sa mga jeepney drivers (We have opposed the BRT even before because there was no clear policy on what would happen to the jeepney drivers),” said Romeo Armamento, president of National Confederation of Transport Union (NCTU) Cebu chapter.

The NCTU Cebu chapter is said to count 2,000 jeepney drivers in Metro Cebu as its members with most of them plying Cebu City’s routes.

Half of that number is seen to be affected by the BRT project especially those plying the Banilad and Talamban areas.

The BRT project spans 21.5 kilometers from Barangay Bulacao in the south to Barangay Talamban in the north. The initial approved budget was P10.6 billion.

While Armamento said they are happy with the decision of Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, they cannot comment yet on the proposed Light Rail Transit (LRT) subway project.

Armamento said those drivers who were supposed to be affected by the BRT routes plan to find other jeepney operators whose routes are not affected by the BRT.

Though jeepney drivers were previously offered to undergo vocational trainings under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), Armamento said there were those who doubt if they will be employed due to their age.

Most of their members are aged 30 to 40 years old.

“Maka-acquire lagi me og skills pero pila ra namo ang uban na maka-work (We can acquire skills, but how many of us are qualified to work)?” he said.

He said some may be discouraged to find other work since their take-home pay averages P500 per day or higher than the P366 daily minimum wage rate for expanded Metro Cebu workers.

Greg Perez, chairman of the militant Pagkakaisa ng Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) Cebu, is also in favor with the decision to put the BRT project on hold.

“Wala matino unsa ang proyekto unsa mahitabo namo og naa na ang BRT (There was no clear project for us once the BRT is implemented),” Perez said.

Piston Cebu conducted previous rallies opposing the BRT project since most of their 100 members service the Bulacao area.