Governor Pam backs completion of Cebu BRT project

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro on Thursday expressed full support for the completion of the long-delayed Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) system.

"I can understand where the World Bank is coming from. I believe more than 10 years na ni (since funding was approved). In short, we're stretching their patience," the governor said.

Baricuatro was responding to the World Bank's recently published Implementation Status and Results Report, which downgraded the project’s progress rating to "unsatisfactory" and its risk rating to "high."

Although the CBRT is a national government initiative in partnership with the Cebu City government — and began long before her term — she reaffirmed her stance on seeing it through. "I've always said, which I've been consistent [with] since the campaign, we have to get the project finished," she said.

The World Bank has warned that the $141 million loan could lapse if significant progress is not made soon. With only 15 months left, the Bank is urging both local and national leaders to treat the matter with urgency.

Baricuatro welcomed the Bank’s openness to restructuring and simplifying the project to facilitate completion. She also addressed concerns related to heritage preservation.

According to Capitol consultant on heritage affairs Jobers Bersales, there are no historical violations associated with the CBRT project, she said.

In a separate report, the World Bank emphasized that the successful delivery of the CBRT now hinges on strong collaboration between national agencies and Cebu's current city and provincial leadership.