President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who led the groundbreaking of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project in Cebu last February 27, 2023, ordered the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to pay just compensation to the “lot owner” that will be affected by the project.
President Marcos was referring to the Cebu Provincial Government which owns the lots upon which portions of the CBRT will traverse, from the Capitol all the way to Fuente Circle.
“I want to remind the DOTr to ensure the just compensation of property owner who will be affected by the CBRT project,” the president said in his speech.
“Sec Jimmy, kailangan tama ang gawin natin, kundi kakatukan tayo ni Gov. Gwen at saka ni Mayor Mike,” he added.
The CBRT Project is a 13.8-kilometer segregated lane with 17 bus stations. It spans the length of Talisay City in the south all the way to Brgy. Talamban in the north, connecting important commercial districts such as Fuente Circle, Capitol Site, Cebu Business Park, and the Cebu IT Park.
Phase 1 of the CBRT covers the construction of four bus stations along a trunk service that measures 2.38 kilometers from the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) to the Capitol Building. It will also have pedestrian improvement of 1.15 kilometers from N. Bacalso corner Osmeña Boulevard to Plaza Independencia.
Though designated as “road lots” in their lot titles, the same titles of Osmeña Blvd properties do not preclude that the properties may also be used as bus stations for the CBRT.
Hence Gov. Gwen Garcia, as the steward of provincial government properties, had earlier demanded “just compensation” from DOTr for the construction of two BRT bus stations there.