President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. ordered the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to make sure that those affected by the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project will be justly compensated and relocated as he assured the public that the project would provide greater convenience to the people.

Marcos said this as he led the groundbreaking of the Package 1 of the P16.307-billion CBRT Project in Cebu City on Monday, Feb. 27.

In his speech, the President commended the DOTr for initiating the country's first BRT system, saying it would not be possible without their dedication, hard work, and persistence.

"The Cebu bus rapid transit project is one of the government's major projects that will provide an affordable, reliable, efficient, and safe public transportation system in the province of Cebu," he said.

However, he reminded the agency to protect the welfare of those affected by the construction of the BRT in Cebu City.

"I want to remind the DOTr to ensure the just compensation of the property owners who will be affected by the CBRT project," Marcos said.

"I also urge you to find ways to properly relocate the affected informal settler families," he added.

The President told the DOTr to finish the project within the target completion timeline, saying it would be the "best possible Christmas gift" the government can give Cebuanos.

With this, Marcos asked the residents to be patient as he assured them that the project would give greater convenience to them.

"I invite everyone to remain patient, be considerate as these temporary disturbances and interruptions are aimed at pushing long-term benefits for the City and for the Province," he said.

"Apart from the greater convenience that it will bring to our people, I'm sure it will also provide greater opportunities and improve the conditions of our current public transport drivers," he added.

NOW: President Bongbong Marcos leads the groundbreaking of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit Project. (RTVM Screenshot) @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/p8mOgfPZDn

— Argyll Cyrus Geducos (@argyllcyrus_MB) February 27, 2023

President Marcos also said that the CBRT Project would support economic development through travel time savings, environmental improvements, and reduction of accidents among residents and visitors of Cebu City.

He likewise thanked the World Bank and the French Development Agency for partnering with the Philippine government to make this endeavor possible.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive assured Filipinos that the national government remains committed to improving economic activities in the country by introducing innovative solutions to public transport and enhancing mobility infrastructure, among others.

"My administration resolutely supports you in exploring ways to improve our public transport systems and in forging partnerships that will help the Philippines keep up with the innovative interventions of other progressive countries," Marcos said.

The CBRT Project is modeled after the BRT systems in Bogota, Colombia, Curitiba in Brazil, Seoul in South Korea, and Guangzhou in China.

The project involves 13.18 kilometers of segregated lanes with 17 stations, one depot, and one trunk terminal from South Road Properties in Cebu City's south district to the IT park in the north district.

It also includes a 22.1-kilometer Feeder Line System, which will run over mixed traffic, with two feeder terminals in 76 bus stops across the province of Cebu.

The project development objective is to improve the overall performance of the urban passenger transport system in a project corridor in Cebu city in terms of quality and level of service, safety, and environmental efficiency,

Around 60,000 passengers will be accommodated daily during its first year of operation. At its full operation, it will cater to about 160,000.