Thousands flock to provinces: Bus terminal Inspections

CEBU, Philippines - Thousands of people flocked to the North Bus Terminal yesterday, only to be met by the lack of buses.

At the Cebu South Bus Terminal, the P5 terminal fee was lifted yesterday morning, earlier than the supposed effectivity which is today, November 1.

However, the no-terminal fee policy was not meant to allow anybody to get inside the terminal premises except for passengers only.      

Land Transportation Office-7 director Raul Aguilos also said that of the 26 buses that were inspected yesterday, one bus was impounded for being “colorum” or illegal.

The other day, LTO-7 also impounded two buses for being dilapidated while three others were disallowed from traveling after it was found to have several defects.

 The Department of Transportation and Communication launched  “Oplan Ligtas Byahe: Undas 2012” as part of its continuing program to provide travelers with convenient, affordable, reliable, efficient and safe travel experience this All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia arrived at the South Bus Terminal yesterday morning for inspection.

She was joined by third district Rep. Pablo John Garcia, former Danao City vice mayor Ramon “Boboy” Durano IV, fourth district Provincial Board Member Sun Shimura and other Capitol officials and department heads.

Garcia imposed the issuance of fare tickets before a passenger could enter the terminal to ensure that no fixers or dispatchers can get inside.

“Ako lang gihangyo nga makahimo man ta og linya ba,” Garcia said citing some malls wherein the people could wait for taxi cabs while lining up. (I am requesting passengers to form a queue.)

CSBT manager Carmen Quijano asked Garcia to provide more security personnel to help ensure the safety of the passengers.   Quijano said she implements whatever policy Garcia wants.

The lifting of the terminal fee was considered by other camp as politically motivated considering that Pablo John is running for governor.

“Kung pagpamolitika ang pagpalipay sa tawo, I congratulate them kay wa gyud sila mamolitika kay wa may nalipay nila,” Pablo John said.  (If making people happy is politicking, congratulations to them. Apparently they have not really been politicking because no one is happy with them.)

Gov. Garcia said that even if their opponent thinks of it that way, what matters most is the fact that a lot of people is happy about it.

Quijano said she noticed the happy faces of the passengers upon learning that no more terminal fee is included in their passenger ticket.

Gov. Garcia earlier announced that the Economic Enterprise Council has decided to lift the collection of terminal fee at CSBT due to several requests from the public.  The announcement was made in the presence of representatives Eduardo Gullas (1st district), Pablo Garcia (2nd district), Pablo John Garcia (3rd district) and Benhur Salimbangon (4th district).

At the police office, Police Regional Office 7 Director Marcelo Garbo, Jr. was satisfied with the security measures prepared in bus terminals, cemeteries, and seaports in Cebu City yesterday.

Garbo, along with some PRO 7 police officials, inspected Cebu City’s major bus terminals and sea ports to check if security was tight for passengers who were expected to flock to spend the long weekend in their respective provinces.

He first visited the Cebu South Bus Terminal along N. Bacalso Avenue and appreciated the tight security the management put in place.  He noted the ten additional security cameras attached inside the terminal and the sniffing dogs.

Garbo suggested to CSBT manager Carmen Quijano to implement a proper queuing system for passengers, but aside from that, he was satisfied with the management’s security arrangement.  He also visited and checked the security arrangement in Calamba cemetery, one of the largest public cemeteries in the city, where people from all walks of life are anticipated to gather today for the All Souls’ Day.

The PRO 7 director distributed a booklet with tips on how to prevent crimes and accidents on All Souls’  Day written on it to the people yesterday. He urged the public to follow the do’s and don’ts to help maintain a peaceful and orderly observation of today’s event.

 The Central Command- Armed Forces of the Philippines, meanwhile, is set to start their augmentation of personnel and K9 units today to support the security preparation of the police. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, Gregg M. Rubio, Nina G. Sumacot and Mylen P. Manto/JPM (FREEMAN)