DOTr secretary Tugade inspects bike lanes, launches service contracting program in Cebu

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CTY -- Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade led the inspection of bike lanes construction and launched the additional public utility transports for free rides under the DOTr-LTFRB Service Contracting program in Cebu today, May 6.

Tugade inspected the Bike Lanes at the SRP road section in Cebu City, a Class I bike lane, or Separated Bike lanes away from the carriageway that covers 2.3 kilometers and these are  intended to provide safe and dedicated transport lanes for the cyclists, which will be most helpful as they go to their own jobs, and other destinations, DOTr said.

According to DOTr that Class I bike lane is five-kilometer-wide with a pedestrian sidewalk of three kilometers which is separated from the bike lane.  Sheds, bike racks and benches are also part of the features of the lanes; with solar studs and planters for greeneries and trees as shelters of bikers who use the bike path.

As of May 5 bike lanes construction work progress in Metro Cebu is now at 63.96 percent, which is equivalent to about 88.84 kilometers/stretch, DOTr said.

DOTr also said that the project is part of the DOTr Road Transport sector led by Assistant Secretary Atty Mark Steven Pastor and in collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to promote active transportation across the country and ensure the safety of each other on the road.

Meanwhile after the bike lanes inspection, secretary Tugade proceeded to launch the Service Contracting Program with 22 units of public utility vehicles (PUVs), five units of which are used for free rides for the health care workers (HCWs) and 17 units for the authorized persons outside residence (APORs) with the following routes:

·         Naga City to UC Med

APORs

·         Talisay to Parkmall via SRP

·         Talisay to Airport via SRP

·         Talisay to Parkmall via N. Bacalso

·         Talisay to SM Seaside via N. Bacalso

The Service Contracting program aims to help the frontliners, the country’s new heroes to travel for free and safe to and from their respective jobs as they continue to implement community quarantine in the country.

DOTr said that the program was launched in partnership with the Road Transport sector agencies that include the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) under the leadership of Chairman Martin Delgra III, and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) under the leadership of Chief Asec. Edgar Galvante,

In similar developments on May 5, secretary Tugade also inaugurated the new taxiway, CAAP building and inspected several infra projects at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIAA) in Lapulapu City to fulfil government’s promise to improve air connectivity, job opportunities and tourism growth in the Visayas region.

In his speech, secretary Tugade said he is glad to return to Cebu for the inauguration of the new MCIA taxiway.  He added that he will never tire of doing projects that will contribute to the happiness, comfort, and convenience of Cebuanos.

Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino in turn, expressed his gratitude to Secretary Tugade and the entire DOTr for helping Cebu move forward amid the pandemic.

The province badly needs the airport for it to open and recover. “My gratitude to our excellent and very able Secretary Tugade and his team for pushing for the early completion of this taxiway project,” Dino added.

With the new and expanded taxiway, MCIAA can now accommodate 40 aircrafts per hour from the previous 35 aircrafts/hour and from the previous maximum aircraft parking capacity, which was 40 aircraft slots has been increased to 50 aircraft slots.

DOTr also inspected another aviation project in Cebu, the rehabilitation of the Bantayan Airport.  Repairs are now at 94.67 percent in progress and eyes completion by the second quarter of
2021.

DOTr and the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) have also completed seaport projects in Pilar, Malapascua, and Maya.  Four other projects are now ongoing in Bantayan, Consolacion, Cebu Baseport, and in San Fernando. (Photos: DOTr)