The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in Cebu City will proceed as planned, but it will no longer feature bus stations along Osmeña Boulevard right in front of the Provincial Capitol.
Newly appointed Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon made this commitment to Gov. Gwen Garcia during his visit at the Capitol on March 8 — his first appearance outside Luzon in his capacity as DOTr chief.
“This is a violation. It doesn’t take a lawyer. I think that this will violate the heritage law which prohibits obstruction from Fuente Rotonda to the Kapitolyo,” the Secretary said during the meeting.
He was joined by Senator Pia Cayetano, who is making the rounds in Central Visayas to engage women’s group in line with the country’s observance of National Women’s Month.
The secretary’s realization came as the Governor and Dr. Jose Eleazar Bersales explained the Capitol’s position on the matter, especially that the Provincial Government owns the lots where the bus stations are supposed to rise.
In February 2024, Gov. Gwen issued a cease-and-desist order against the contractors and project implementers of at least two BRT stations in front of the Capitol Building along Osmeña Blvd as they would destroy the historical and cultural integrity of the Cebu Capitol–Osmeña Boulevard–Fuente Rotunda Vista Corridor.
Months later, the Governor then ordered them to remove the obstructing construction materials lying in the middle of Osmeña Boulevard, as these posed harm to motorists and caused traffic congestion. The contractors subsequently complied.
The principle of Vista Corridor, as explained by Dr. Bersales, refers to the unhampered or unimpeded visual setting and physical integrity of a heritage property like the Capitol which has been declared a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines in 2008; as well as a declared Important Cultural Property by the National Museum of the Philippines in 2020.
No other structure must mar the visual space, the line of sight, and the appearance of the Capitol vis-a-vis Fuente Osmeña as well as Osmeña Boulevard, as these three are heritage zones accorded recognition and protection by law, said Dr. Jose Eleazar Bersales, Capitol consultant on heritage and museum as well as a member of the advisory board of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
“I actually do agree that the line of sight from the Rotunda to the Kapitolyo must be preserved. It is clear in the law,” Secretary Dizon added.
Under Sec. 7(e) of RA 11961 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, cultural properties declared as Grade I Level shall be entitled to “[p]riority protection from modification or demolition resulting from all government projects.”
The law added that “[g]overnment projects that may potentially affect the integrity of any Grade I or Grade II Level cultural property must consult with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) at the planning stages,” something which project implementers failed to do.
Secretary Dizon assured the Governor that the DOTr shares her commitment of preserving the Capitol’s historical and cultural integrity and pledged to work closely with the Provincial Government, Cebu City Government, and other relevant agencies for the completion of the project.
“You know how close Cebu is to the heart of the President. He has really instructed us to really push these projects for the benefit of the Cebuanos. We are here to help and we are here to support everything; but that can only happen well and it will be more meaningful if we continue this process of dialogue and consultation, which we are committed to,” Secretary Dizon said.
Governor Garcia expressed her gratitude for the secretary’s willingness to address the issue promptly and appropriately.
“In behalf of the Cebuanos, we really, really are very appreciative of this magnanimous gesture of bringing your entire department, practically, over to Cebu. And we thank you because it really shows the attitude. From now on, it’s the signal coming from DOTr that you are ready to listen, to know the reality on the ground,” Gov. Gwen said.
Also present were LTO Regional Director Glenn Galario, LTFRB Regional Director Eduardo Montealto, Cebu Port Authority General Manager Kit Comendador, World Bank Transport Specialist John Richardson, Cebu City Administrator Atty. Kristine Batucan, and CBRT Project Manager Engr. Norvin Imbong, among many others. | MARM
