Pepito pushes SRP BRT, says Cebu can pursue growth and mobility

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City should not have to choose between improving public transportation and expanding economic opportunities, Transportation Committee Chairman Councilor Winston Pepito said, as debate over the proposed realignment of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project continues to divide the City Council.

Pepito said he still supports completing the project’s original Bulacao-to-Talamban corridor but questioned why the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) proposal to extend the BRT to the South Road Properties (SRP) has drawn strong opposition.

“I disagree with the idea that the SRP should not be included at all,” Pepito said in an interview.

READ: Tomas Osmeña wants Cebu City to reject BRT realignment outright

“Sa akoa nga bahin, against ko ana nga dili gyud maapil ang SRP. Galibog ko nganong dili man gyud apilon ang SRP nga usa man na sa gibaligya, unya dili nimo apilon sa planning at least man lang to have a better mass transport didto nga dapita?”

(For my part, I oppose excluding the SRP altogether. I don’t understand why it shouldn’t be included, since it is one of the areas we have promoted. At the very least, it should be part of the planning so it can have a better mass transportation system.)

Pepito argued that extending the BRT to the SRP would not contradict the original CBRT corridor but would instead maximize the city’s investments in what has become one of Cebu City’s fastest-growing commercial and tourism districts.

Thousands of workers stand to benefit

Pepito said thousands of workers, residents, and visitors would benefit from a mass transit line serving the SRP.

“Sayangan ko sa development kay thousands of workers makagamit ana, niya of course atong mga constituents nga muadto didto sa SRP kay nahimo na baya na siyang tourist district, nahimong landmark na sa Cebu City. Dako kaayo’g impact if naay linya didto,” he said.

READ: Tomas Osmeña wants Cebu City to reject BRT realignment outright

(It would be a wasted opportunity because thousands of workers could use it. Our constituents who go to the SRP would also benefit because it has already become a tourist district and a landmark in Cebu City. It would have a huge impact if a BRT line served the area.)

He said reliable mass transportation would encourage more investments inside the SRP while making the district more accessible to ordinary Cebuanos instead of only private vehicle owners.

Pepito stressed that the proposed extension was never intended to benefit only major commercial establishments.

“Wala na gi-design for SM ug Ayala, but gi-design na for working Cebuanos,” he said.

(It was not designed for SM and Ayala alone. It was designed for working Cebuanos.)

‘Why wait decades?’

Pepito also questioned the argument that the city should first complete the original Bulacao-to-Talamban alignment before constructing an SRP extension.

“Ang ganahan nila humanon usa ang Bulacao-Talamban before SRP. Ang question nako, ngano paabuton pa nato if 20 years pa ni mahuman nga ang SRP ready naman?”

(They want to finish the Bulacao-to-Talamban route first before the SRP. My question is, why should we wait if that could take 20 years when the SRP is already ready?)

READ: Subway in Cebu? Feasibility under study

He pointed out that the northern corridor still faces major right-of-way acquisition, demolition, road widening, and construction challenges that could delay completion for years.

“Pwede na siya ma-implement kaysa mag-wait pa ta mahuman ang Bulacao-Talamban. It’s gonna take decades, maybe. You have a lot of acquisition, demolition, widening, construction—at least a decade. Nganong dili pa man himuon ang SRP karon? Pwede man unta ang duha?”

(The SRP line can already be implemented instead of waiting for the Bulacao-Talamban route to finish. It could take decades because of land acquisition, demolition, road widening and construction—at least a decade. Why not build the SRP line now? We can pursue both.)

Development and mobility

Pepito maintained that a BRT extension to the SRP would complement—not replace—the original corridor.

He said the city risks missing economic opportunities if it continues promoting the SRP as Cebu City’s premier business district without investing in an efficient public transport system.

“Sayang ang opportunity nga naa tay nindot nga gi-promote nga business hub sa Cebu City unya dili nato butangan og tarong nga transport system. Kung naa nay mass transport system diha, dili lang Ayala ug SM ang makabenepisyo. Daghan man negosyo ug developments diha, ug mas ganahan pa gyud ang investors kung naa nay tarong nga mass transport,” he said.

(It would be a wasted opportunity if we keep promoting it as Cebu City’s business hub without providing a proper transportation system. If there is mass transportation there, not only Ayala and SM will benefit. There are many businesses and developments in the area, and investors will become even more interested if there is reliable public transportation.)

Council split over realignment

Earlier, Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña urged the City Council to reject outright the DOTr’s proposed CBRT realignment instead of merely asking the agency to reconsider it.

During Tuesday’s regular session, Osmeña amended his proposed resolution to declare that Cebu City itself rejects the revised alignment, arguing that the city—not the national government—has the authority to approve or disapprove changes to the project.

He maintained that the original Bulacao-to-Talamban corridor should remain the project’s priority because it formed the basis of earlier planning, public consultations, and international financing.

The proposal sparked nearly an hour of debate among councilors.

Pepito reiterated during the session that he continues to support the original corridor but believes the city can simultaneously pursue the SRP extension to strengthen both public transportation and economic growth.

Councilor Mikel Rama had a similar position, saying the city should not frame the issue as a choice between serving commuters and supporting development.

Instead of voting immediately on Osmeña’s proposal, the council agreed to convene a special session at 9 a.m. on Friday, where officials from the DOTr will explain and justify the proposed CBRT realignment before the council decides whether to formally reject it.

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