Construction of sidewalk, bike lane on Osmeña Blvd. part of CBRT project

Local

THE controversial expanded sidewalk and bike lane along Osmeña Boulevard are not separate projects but part of the World Bank-funded Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) development.

This was clarified by the Cebu City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) in a recent communication to the City Council.

In a letter dated October 10, 2025, CPDO Officer-in-Charge Architect Ann Marie Cuizon said the construction along Osmeña Boulevard, from P. Del Rosario Street to Plaza Independencia, forms part of the Urban Realm Enhancement (Link to the Port), a 1.15-kilometer component under Package 1 of the Improved Cebu BRT Project.

The letter was sent in response to City Council Resolution No. 17-0781-2025, which endorsed the Commission on Audit (COA) Region VII’s request to investigate the sidewalk and bike lane construction and determine whether World Bank funds were properly used, given allegations that the project was not covered by the CBRT loan.

“The sidewalk and bike lane construction is part of Package 1 of the Improved Cebu BRT Packages, specifically under the Proposed Urban Realm Enhancement (Link to the Port),” Cuizon stated.

She said the project was designed to improve accessibility, reduce vehicle congestion, and align with the city’s broader pedestrianization goals as laid out in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP).

The CPDO also confirmed that the project had secured the necessary approvals from the Cebu City Zoning Board through Resolution No. 24-062 dated August 15, 2024, and holds an approved Locational Clearance (DP24-07-16-2A) issued on September 19, 2024.

Cuizon said that the inclusion of bike lanes in the project supports the city’s sustainable transport framework and safety goals.

“Bike lanes provide dedicated pathways for cyclists and are essential for enhancing safety, mobility, health, and environmental sustainability,” the CPDO said in its letter.

“By segregating cyclists from motor vehicles, they significantly reduce collision risks and contribute to a reduction in accidents.”

The CPDO added that the bike lane network is consistent with Ordinance No. 2408, which created the Sugbo Bike Lanes Board (SBLB) to oversee bike-friendly infrastructure in Cebu City.

The planning office said the Urban Realm Link to Port project is a “vital component” of the city’s strategy to strengthen connectivity between Cebu’s urban core and its port area.

“This project aims to enhance pedestrian and transport linkages, improve accessibility, and promote the efficient movement of people and goods between key economic zones,” the letter read.

The office added that improving pedestrian and cycling infrastructure supports trade and tourism while enhancing the city’s livability and competitiveness.

The clarification followed the call of Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover Jr., who earlier questioned the practicality of the bike lane barriers along Osmeña Boulevard, saying they caused traffic congestion.

“I am not against bike lanes, but I am for the reconsideration of the installation of bike lane barriers,” Alcover said during a session in March. “These barriers are impractical and only worsen traffic congestion.”

Following Alcover’s remarks, former Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera moved for a resolution asking the Office of the Ombudsman–Visayas to look into whether the World Bank loan funds were correctly used for the project.

Pesquera insisted that the DBP-to-Plaza Independencia portion was not included in the original BRT alignment and that its funding was “highly questionable.”

“That particular portion in DBP to Plaza Independencia is not part of the BRT,” Pesquera said. “But then the DOTr and the local CBRT insisted on utilizing the ‘alleged’ savings of the loan from the World Bank for this project.”

Pesquera also argued that the project could have violated zoning rules, since parts of Osmeña Boulevard were classified as arcaded zones, and questioned why the City

Planning Office and then-acting mayor approved it.

The Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project has a total budget of $226 million, funded by the World Bank ($141M), Agence Française de Développement ($54M), and the Philippine Government ($30M).

However, the World Bank’s July 2025 Implementation Status and Results Report rated both project development and implementation as “unsatisfactory,” citing delays due to property acquisition issues, documentation gaps, and weak inter-agency coordination.(MyTVCebu)