Pam wants mock-up design of BRT station

April 28, 2026

/ No Comments

CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro has urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to produce a mock-up or computer-generated design of the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) station in front of the Capitol to better assess its impact on the site’s heritage value.

Baricuatro said a visual representation would allow both the provincial government and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to objectively determine whether the proposed structure would obstruct the historic significance of the Capitol, particularly its line of sight.

The governor’s position came as the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Arts and Culture has formally opposed the proposed location of the BRT station along Osmeña Boulevard, directly in front of the Capitol building.

Provincial Administrator Atty. Ace Durano confirmed that the Capitol had received the committee report, although he clarified that it has yet to be adopted as a formal resolution by the provincial board.

Durano said the governor’s position has been consistent from the start, stressing the need to secure clearance from the NHCP before any construction proceeds.

“From the very beginning…ang stand ni Gov (Barcicuarto) is get the approval of NHCP. Mao man gyud to,” he said.

He explained that while the DOTr had already submitted design drawings, these were not sufficient for a clear assessment of the station’s actual impact.

“DOTr just submitted ilang drawing, nga di gyud matarong nimo…murag magtag-an-tag-an lang gihapon ang tao ani kung naka-obstruct ba ni or dili,” Durano said.

Because of this, the governor is pushing for a more concrete representation of the project.

“So Gov suggests nga they mock it up, either really on the ground or a computerized… aron ma-objectively assess kung unsa’y itsura niya,” he added.

NHCP concerns

The issue stemmed from an earlier position of the NHCP, which maintained that the Capitol, as a declared national historical landmark, must be protected, including its visual corridor or line of sight.

Durano said the NHCP specifically raised concerns about preserving the unobstructed view of the Capitol from Fuente Osmeña Circle.

“Kung magtindog ka sa Fuente Osmeña circle, kinahanglan matan-aw nimo…dili ma-obstruct ang Capitol building,” he said.

In response, the DOTr reportedly adjusted the station’s design by adopting a neoclassical look to complement the Capitol and lowering its elevation.

The Committee on Arts and Culture echoed these concerns in its report, recommending a balanced approach that protects the Capitol’s heritage while coordinating with the DOTr for possible design solutions.

Durano said the governor fully supports the recommendation. He added that the provincial government is not opposing the BRT project as a whole, but only the size, design, and placement of the station in front of the Capitol.

Committee recommendations

In its report, the committee underscored that the Cebu Capitol building was declared a national historical landmark in 2008, entitling it to the highest level of protection under Republic Act 10066, as amended.

This protection extends not only to the structure itself but also to its surrounding environment, including its visual integrity and architectural significance.

The report also noted that Osmeña Boulevard and nearby areas remain under provincial ownership, making the local government responsible for safeguarding them.

Among its key recommendations, the committee proposed declaring Osmeña Boulevard contiguous to the Capitol’s national historical landmark status, which would subject any development along the boulevard to evaluation by the NHCP.

It also formally objected to the current location of the BRT station, saying that reducing the structure’s height alone does not sufficiently address concerns over visual obstruction.