DOTr refutes 2017 COA report: No projects delayed under Tugade’s watch

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Thursday refuted a 2017 Commission on Audit (COA) report stating that its projects are delayed and that it is underspending on infrastructure projects. It insisted that there were no delays under Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade’s administration.

“We would like to state categorically that the delays in implementation, which cost the government P299.75 million in commitment fees, were not accumulated during our administration. In fact, the DOTr has ordered a 24-hour construction schedule, and has successfully fast-tracked several projects that have been delayed for years,” the DOTr said in a statement.

The department said the construction of the new Bohol Airport and  Sustainable Environment Protection Project, the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 Cavite Extension, and LRT Line 2 Masinag Extension are ongoing.

Moreover, the Puerto Princesa Airport Development Project was only inaugurated in 2017 and the delay did not happen under Tugade’s watch.

Meanwhile, the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit System was already approved by the National Economic and Development Authority – Investment Coordination Committee during Tugade’s administration while the New Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management Systems Development Project were being prioritized by Tugade.

The Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project Phases 1 and 2 have obtained 12 multi-role response vehicles while the Philippine Coast Guard Capability Development Project received five patrol boats from France.

The DOTr lamented that they are burdened by the delayed projects of the past administration.

“The DOTr is not slacking on the implementation of its projects, ODA-funded or otherwise. We have not been causing the delays. In fact, this administration is bearing the burden of catching up on delayed projects,” DOTr said. /ee

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1034643/dotr-refutes-2017-coa-report-no-projects-delayed-under-tugades-watch

Quezon Ave., Cebu BRT get DoTr nod

The Department of Transportation on Wednesday said it would be proceeding with the implementation of two out of three Bus Rapid Transit systems—the Cebu BRT system and the Quezon Avenue BRT system.

DoTr Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark de Leon bared this following a recent inspection of both BRT systems’ routes with representatives from the DoTr, the National Economic and Development Authority, and the World Bank— which funds the project.

“The Bus Rapid Transit project of DoTr for Cebu and Quezon Avenue will push through,” De Leon told a press briefing in Malacañang.

“We conducted an inspection with World Bank team and also joined by NEDA, and evaluated conditions of the corridor of Cebu and also Quezon Avenue and we found it is possible to run the BRT in these corridors,” he added.

However, De Leon said the EDSA BRT system was “still undergoing evaluation “after its supposed funder backed out of the project.

“We’re undergoing evaluation of the BRT in EDSA,” De Leon said.

“The other two will push through because they have a different funder, it’s under World Bank,” he added.

De Leon said the DoTr had signed the contract for the technical service consultants for the Cebu BRT and had written the Department of Finance about its intention to proceed with the Quezon Avenue BRT.

“We just signed the contract for the TSC in Cebu so we’re already pushing for the BRT to push through. For Manila, we have signed a letter to DoF that we will push through with the program,” De Leon said.

Meanwhile, the agency is now working on the detailed engineering design of both BRT systems.

Last July, DoTr Secretary Arthur Tugade bared that only the implementation of the Cebu BRT would push through, considering Metro Cebu’s road profile and the need for efficient mass transport systems in interconnected cities.
The Cebu BRT is a 23-kilometer system, which will run through Bulacao, Ayala, and Talamban.

Two Metro Manila BTRs—Quezon Avenue and EDSA—were earlier scrapped since the DoTr considered it unfeasible on narrow and congested roads in urban areas.

The Quezon Avenue BRT will run 12.3 km from the Quezon Memorial Circle to Manila City Hall via Elliptical Road, Quezon Avenue and España Boulevard.

Meanwhile, the EDSA BRT will run 48.6 km and will have four main corridors—a main line along Edsa and corridors along Ayala Avenue to World Trade Center, Ortigas to Bonifacio Global City, and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The BRT systems are part of the DoTr’s integrated transportation system, one of the solutions to ease traffic. It dedicates lanes for specialized buses and stations.

It is estimated to cost P53 billion.

http://www.manilastandard.net/news/national/275947/quezon-ave-cebu-brt-get-dotr-nod.html