President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has instructed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to work closely with local government units (LGUs) to implement crucial transportation and connectivity projects.
This directive was given during a meeting with the Regional Development Council in Central Visayas (RDC VII) in Cebu, marking the first of several on-ground RDC meetings.
Emphasizing the importance of local input, President Marcos highlighted Cebu’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. He stressed that the success of such initiatives depends on active involvement and coordination with LGUs. “It will not succeed if you are not working in close coordination with the local governments. So please keep that in mind,” he stated.
The President underscored the necessity for the national government to heed the insights of LGUs, who are more attuned to local conditions and can identify problems and propose solutions. “Kasi may alam sila na hindi niyo alam. So, that’s the approach that we really should take,” he emphasized.
The BRT is one of ten priority infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing connectivity and health services in Central Visayas. However, it has faced challenges related to right-of-way (ROW) acquisition and resettlement sites. President Marcos assured that the DOTr and the Cebu City government are committed to securing the resettlement site and project ROW, with construction on the remaining packages set to proceed as planned.
The RDC Central Visayas has sought national government assistance to address the absence of an integrated mass transport system for Metro Cebu and other densely populated urban areas.
Additionally, President Marcos highlighted the importance of unity in nation-building and expressed gratitude to local leaders from the Visayas for their support of his economic progress vision. “I’m very grateful to all the governors of Regions VI, VII, and VIII for their expressions of support,” he told reporters during the inauguration of a new runway at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).
The President reiterated that collaboration, rather than conflict, yields positive results. “We should put those attempts to one side and stay together,” he said. Regions VI (Western Visayas), VII (Central Visayas), and VIII (Eastern Visayas) form a significant economic bloc that partners with the government for development.
President Marcos also had lunch with Visayas governors and One Cebu officials at the Cebu Provincial Capitol.
