The Cebu City Council remains sharply divided over the fate of the city's mass transport project after a heated debate on June 30 regarding a proposal to reject a modified route for the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT). Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña has escalated his stance, urging the council to formally reject the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) plan to prioritize a route connecting SM Seaside City Cebu and Ayala Center Cebu. Instead, Osmeña insists on sticking to the original plan linking Bulacao to Talamban, which he argues serves lower-income neighborhoods more effectively.
Osmeña Pushes for Formal Rejection
During the council's regular session, Osmeña revised his proposal to demand that the city itself reject the new route, rather than merely asking the national government to do so. The original version had requested the DOTr to “respectfully yet firmly” reject the change, but Osmeña argued that wording was insufficient. “We're not asking the DOTr to reject it. We are rejecting it. The City Government rejects the alignment,” he said. He emphasized that local government approval is legally required for the project to proceed, giving a formal rejection significant weight. “The way this is phrased right now, we're letting the DOTr do it. If the DOTr doesn't do it, they can still proceed,” he added.
Osmeña alleged that commercial interests had derailed the project, claiming “SM and Ayala have hijacked the project against the interest of the urban poor.” Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr. immediately requested that remark be expunged from the official records. The DOTr has not yet issued a statement regarding the proposal or the rationale behind the route change.
Council Leaders Urge Caution
Some council members questioned the urgency of the new measure. Majority Floor Leader David Tumulak noted that the council had already passed Resolution 17-3273-2026, which asked the Office of the President and the World Bank to review the new route and restore the original Bulacao-Talamban line. Tumulak suggested waiting for a response before taking further action. “Why pass another resolution when we haven't heard back on the first one?” he asked.
Osmeña countered that there is a fundamental difference between requesting a national agency to reject a plan and the city rejecting it outright. Councilors Sisinio Andales and Presiding Officer Philip Zafra supported Osmeña, stating that the new proposal takes a stronger stand. Councilor Winston Pepito, chair of the Committee on Transportation, clarified that no council member opposes the original route. However, he noted that starting with the mall route could spur investment and jobs, and that Package 1 focuses on areas that are quicker and easier to build, while later phases toward Escario Street, Talamban, and Bulacao require more complex construction.
Debate Over Two Routes
Councilor Mikel Rama argued that the two routes should not be seen as mutually exclusive, suggesting that the city build sections that can be completed quickly while still working toward the full Bulacao-Talamban line. Councilor Francis Esparis, however, stressed that the city must prioritize finishing the original corridor before initiating new routes. “We cannot afford to divert resources away from the route that serves the most vulnerable residents,” Esparis said.
Next Steps: Public Session Set for July 3
Unable to reach a consensus, Osmeña proposed letting Cebu City voters decide through a plebiscite. Instead, Rama suggested inviting DOTr officials and local stakeholders to explain the route changes directly to the council. The council agreed to hold a special public session on Friday, July 3, during which DOTr officials are expected to present the rationale for the modified CBRT route. Following the session, the council will vote on whether to adopt Osmeña's formal rejection. The outcome remains uncertain as both sides continue to press their arguments.
