Barangay Lahug, Cebu City
January 30, 2025

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. convened with key members of the Regional Development Council in Central Visayas (RDC VII) at the Department of Education (DepEd) Ecotech Center Pavilion in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.

During the session, RDC VII members provided updates on major infrastructure initiatives, focusing on transportation and urban connectivity. A key topic is the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), a flagship project aimed at improving public transportation in the Region.

While acknowledging its potential benefits, the President underscored the need for close coordination between the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and local government units (LGUs) to ensure its successful implementation.

The BRT project, one of 10 priority infrastructure initiatives in Central Visayas, faces challenges related to right-of-way acquisition and the relocation of affected residents. To address these issues, the Chief Executive stressed the importance of integrating LGU insights into national government planning, noting that LGUs have a deeper understanding of local conditions and must be actively involved in decision-making.

In response, the DOTr and the Cebu City government committed to securing resettlement areas and expediting right-of-way clearance to keep the BRT project on schedule.

Additionally, RDC VII sought further national government assistance in developing an integrated mass transport system for Metro Cebu and other high-density areas.

This meeting marked the first in a series of on-ground RDC discussions aimed at addressing regional development challenges and advancing Presidential priority projects.

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