CEBU CITY – The local government of Lapu-Lapu City said it will adopt a monorail or Light Rail Transit (LRT) in an effort to boost its mass transport system as economic activities driven by more tourist arrivals continue to grow.
Mayor
Junard Chan said the local population is also growing, thus the need for an
improved transport system. The city is home to the Mactan-Cebu International
Airport which has driven tourist arrivals back to the pre-pandemic time, three
Mactan Export Zones that have a combined workforce of 120,000, hotels and
resorts that accommodate hundreds of domestic and international guests.
“We
are one of the fastest-growing cities in the Philippines, so we need to upgrade
our transportation system,” Chan said, as he announced the entry of Future of
Transport (Futran) Philippines, Inc. to conduct a feasibility study (FS) for a
mass transport system project on Mactan Island, at no cost to the city.
Chan
represented the city government in signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU)
with Futran President Jose Christopher Fornier, for the conduct of the proposed
transport network system that is said to utilize existing and secondary roads,
instead of the busy thoroughfares.
Chan
said the study is timely as the city is ambitiously expanding its land base
with a 600-hectare reclamation project in Barangays Ibo and Punta Engaño. He
said the feasibility study will also include personal rapid transit systems
commonly known as “Podcars,” apart from the monorail and light rail, which would
incorporate the “green concept” of public transportation.
“More
companies would be coming to the city. We can expect an increase in traffic.
So, the city requires an efficient mode of transportation,” he said.
The
study may span from eight to 12 months. Futran also signed an agreement with
Mandaue City on Feb. 27, for a feasibility study on a Podcar system, which is
currently being used in China, Japan, and Germany. (John Rey Saavedra)
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