The interim bus augmentation program (IPAB) in Cebu will pave the way for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) which is viewed as an efficient component of the Cebu Integrated Intermodal Transport System (IITS), the presidential assistant for the Visayas said.

Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino, head of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV), said that he fully supports the plan of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to roll out buses that will form part of the IPAB.

“We have a very cordial meeting last Saturday evening with Secretary Tugade. And we have agreed to implement in Cebu the interim bus augmentation program. It is a very helpful preliminary transport while we are finalizing the technical review of BRT project,” he told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in an interview on Monday.

Dino said the interim bus will be “part of the partial operations of BRT from Fuente Osmeña to the southern part” of Metro Cebu starting March 15.

He, however, reiterated Tugade’s clarification during their meeting that IPAB is not yet the BRT as main component of the IITS.

“The interim bus transport system will focus first in the southern portion of Cebu and DOTr (Department of Transportation) will ply buses that will serve as the start of the preparation in implementing the BRT,” he said.

He lauded Tugade for making sure that the mass transport problem in Cebu is properly addressed through the placement of the right transportation system that has the capability to carry hundreds of passengers per hour per direction.

The IITS, he said, will make Cebu a city that adopts smart and intelligent traffic system, harmonizing movements on the roads.

Apart from BRT, the IITS includes the Monorail with a capacity of a Light Rail Transit, cable cars, point to point buses, skyways, among others.

Dino said the BRT project is currently under review and validation for its Detailed Engineering Design with the Technical Support Consultant (TSC).

The project’s Phase 1 from Cebu South Bus Terminal to Capitol is planned to be operational in December 2021, while the Phase 2 from Bulacao-Talisay to Talamban will be partially operational by March 2022. (PNA)