Expansion of CBRT to SRP eyed

Local

THE Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project is poised to expand deeper into the South Road Properties (SRP).

This comes as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) formally asked Cebu City Hall to clear the way for a new 2.7-kilometer loop inside the Cebu City Government–Filinvest joint venture estate.

In a February 20, 2026 letter addressed to Mayor Nestor Archival, Transportation Undersecretary Mark Pastor requested approval for the proposed CBRT developments along the CCG–Filinvest Land Inc. joint venture loop.

The planned thoroughfare will stretch 2.70 kilometers, looping around the joint venture property.

It is designed to integrate public transport infrastructure with road and pedestrian improvements in the fast-developing SRP district.

According to the DOTr, the development will include one dedicated lane for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses with four stations from SRP 3 to SRP 6, two mixed-traffic lanes (one per direction), designated bicycle lanes, planting strips, and enhanced sidewalks with upgraded drainage and new street lighting.

The agency said road widening will be necessary to accommodate the additional components and ensure “safe, efficient, and effective” BRT operations.

The proposed alignment will affect approximately 8,726 square meters of the joint venture property and around 1,479 square meters of Cebu City Government land, for a combined total of 10,223 square meters.

The DOTr said the proposal has been coordinated with Filinvest Land Inc., and that the alignment has already been reflected in the company’s updated Site Development Plan.

The matter was earlier raised in an Oct. 30, 2025 letter and presented during SRP Governing Board meetings on Nov. 20, 2025 and Feb. 19, 2026.

The agency said the overlap affecting portions of the joint venture and city properties is necessary to accommodate the CBRT infrastructure and ensure proper alignment and operational efficiency.

The department is also seeking approval for the required encroachment tied to the project.

The proposed SRP loop forms part of the broader CBRT system funded through a ₱28.78-billion World Bank loan.

The DOTr said it aims to complete the SRP 4 and SRP 5 bus stations before the loan closes in September 2026, describing the stations as vital to seamless operations within the SRP segment.

Earlier, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said Package 1 of the project is now 97 percent complete and is targeted for initial operations by March 2026.

“As of now, we are at 97 percent. We are fixing the remaining three percent. We are targeting March, hopefully this March,” Lopez said.

He clarified that the remaining work involves compliance and validation requirements.

“When it comes to government projects, it’s not enough that you see it physically completed. You have to ensure that it aligns with the program of works and the design. That is mandatory,” he said.

Package 1, worth ₱990 million, covers a 2.38-kilometer stretch from the Cebu South Bus Terminal to the Cebu Provincial Capitol via Osmeña Boulevard. It is designed to operate independently while other portions of the system are still under construction.

Before full commercial rollout, the DOTr will conduct a dry run to identify and address operational issues.

“To avoid hiccups once operational, we will conduct a dry run. If there are problems, let us know. We welcome comments, whether constructive criticisms or not. Rest assured, we will address them,” Lopez said.

The project, originally scheduled for full operations by the second quarter of 2025, encountered delays due to procurement changes and administrative adjustments.

With the September 2026 loan deadline approaching, the DOTr is studying the possibility of completing remaining components through a public-private partnership if necessary.(TGP)