Rachel “Cutie” del Mar, daughter of Cebu City North dist. Rep. Raul del Mar, yesterday turned over four buses to barangays Taptap, Adlaon, Banilad and Hippodromo through the Serbisyo del Mar initiative.
Last Saturday, they had already turned over two buses in barangays Paril and Lusaran.
Cutie said all the 47 barangays in the North district will receive a bus to be used for different functions in the barangay. Each bus costs around P800,000 and can seat 37 passengers.
They target to complete the distribution of buses to the remaining 41 barangays in the district by the end of this year.
Their priority right now, she said, is the distribution of buses to mountain barangays needing transportation service the most.
The buses were provided primarily to serve students who have to travel great distances just to attend classes. By providing free transportation service to students, Cutie said they will improve the quality of education in the district.
Cutie said that based on their observation, students living in far barangays often skip classes because they tire traveling far or they do not have money for transportation.
The buses can also be used by senior citizens and residents for various appointments.
Local government units will handle the maintenance of the buses.
Banilad barangay Captain Malou Tabar said the buses will be of great help to the barangay especially to the Banilad Night High School.
Tabar said she is planning to coordinate with the Parents and Teachers Association for an arrangement that would give a regular service to night students coming from not-so-accessible areas.
Tabar said her proposal is that by 10 p.m. the bus will take the students home. — Jessica Ann Pareja/BRP