Yap: Lot acquisitions to cover areas where bus depots will stand

The project implementation unit of the multi-billion Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project clarified that lot acquisition will be mostly done along the areas where the stations, terminals and depots of the buses will stand.

In his appearance before the City Council yesterday, lawyer Rafael Christopher Yap said that they have already wrapped up the survey of the structures and properties that will be affected by the project in December 2016.

He has yet to present, though, how many structures or properties will be affected since they have to verify first.

“One of the common incidents on the implementation of infrastructure projects with land acquisition is that people will build knowing that there is going to be land acquisition that will be conducted. They take advantage of that, so we locked in,” said Yap, who serves as the BRT project manager.

Several affected property owners attended the public hearing that was called by the Council yesterday to discuss the finalization of list of persons and properties affected by the lot acquisition project.

After the public hearing, some affected stakeholders had the chance to talk to Yap and most of them were concerned about the lot acquisition, particularly on the details as to how much will be taken from the property for the project.

There will be 21 middle road stations and 10 side stations, which will be mostly along the route of BRT in Ayala to Talamban.

Asked if the existing road can accommodate the buses, Yap said it is sufficient.

Only minor road widening is needed along the route that would include one in Barangay Bulacao to the neighboring Pardo Church and on Escario St. in Barangay Capitol.

He said that the Department of Public Works and Highways 7 has approved the budget for it.

“Those are the only narrow portion of the BRT corridor. The rest are three to four lanes already like N. Bacalso Ave. and Cebu South Road,” he added.

The first phase of the project will be in the South Road Properties to N. Bacalso Ave. until Osmeña Blvd.

A total of 176 buses, measuring 18 meters each, will be used.

The concern they have right now, Yap said is the Banilad-Talamban road since buses have no dedicated lanes there and will mix with normal traffic.

However, jeepneys on the Banilad-Talamban road will be rerouted to address this concern.

Although the project was already four years delayed, Yap assured that the construction of infrastructure will not start unless the lot acquisition will be completed. /