MONORAIL OR LRT. Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan (left) shows the memorandum of understanding he signed on behalf of the city government and Future of Transport (Futran) Philippines, Inc. President Jose Christopher Fornier II on Thursday (May 11, 2023). Chan said on Friday that the city will adopt either Monorail or Light Rail Transit (LRT) as a modern mode of mass transport system to cope with the growing number of tourist arrivals and working population. (Photo courtesy of Lapu-Lapu City PIO)
CEBU CITY – The historical city of Lapu-Lapu will adopt a Monorail or Light Rail Transit (LRT) structure to boost its mass transport system as economic activities driven by more tourist arrivals continue to grow, Mayor Junard Chan said on Friday.
Chan also said the working 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 told reporters.
The mayor expressed elation with 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 on Thursday, for the conduct of the FS for the proposed transport network system that is said to utilize existing and secondary roads, instead of the busy thoroughfares.
“Whereas, the City’s traffic congestion and increasing working population make the demand for a mass transit system, or “people mover project,” and its project components an imperative and urgent concern of the City,” a portion of the MOU said.
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.
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. (PNA)
