THE Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) has formally asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to exempt the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project from the election ban on infrastructure projects.
Cebu BRT office head Rafael Yap said the request for exemption was sent to the Comelec central office last week.
“Our status now is we are in the process of finalizing the design so that before the elections (on May 9), we can start the procurement process for the construction services,” Yap said.
Yap, together with World Bank (WB) representatives, visited Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama in his office on Friday afternoon for a courtesy call.
Yap said they briefed the mayor on the status of the project since Rama has been out of office for the past two months.
(Rama was meted a 60-day preventative suspension by the Office of the President over allegations of abuse of authority involving the demolition of a center island in Barangay Labangon. His suspension ended February 8.)
Yap said they hoped to get the exemption from the ban within the first quarter of the year or before the elections in May.
World Bank and the Cebu BRT office earlier decided to begin the first phase of the construction along the Osmeña Boulevard corridor since the area would not involve land acquisition, as the road is wide enough for the buses and the stations to be constructed.
The area was also recommended by Kunhwa Engineering and Consultancy, which is the consultant for the detailed engineering design study of the project, Yap said.
“However, this will be subject to further evaluation and consultation with the city government. We want to consult with all stakeholders before implementing the project,” he said.
Yap said they could start the civil works by October this year if they get the exemption from Comelec. Portions of the sidewalk along Osmeña Blvd. would also have to be modified to provide for bus ways and stations.
A few trees on the sidewalk, some of which are Narra species, would have to be removed, he added.
As for the Indian trees and ornamental plants on the center island, Yap believed it would not be difficult to get a permit from DENR to uproot or cut them down.