Guv: Terminal safe to use

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III yesterday inspected the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) and assured Cebuanos that it is safe after it suffered just minimal damage from the Oct. 15 earthquake.

Accompanied by CSBT Administrator Vicente Dejoras, Jr., Davide toured the facility to see the damage, mostly cracks in walls and portions of the ceiling hanging loose.

The governor went to the terminal to see the progress of repair works, and was told that the damage was already 80 percent fixed.

“I came here to inspect the damage. But the management mostly fixed them already. They are mostly cracks nga napapas na (that are gone by now),” Davide told The FREEMAN.

“Yes, kay akong gitan-aw og siguro (because I made sure that it is already) safe ba siya,” the governor said when asked if the people are assured that the facility is still structurally sound.

The quake, which killed over 200 people in Cebu and Bohol and destroyed over P1 billion in properties, affected several Provincial Government structures, including the CSBT.

Dejoras said they worked on the damage immediately after the quake, knowing that the terminal is a vital facility used by many people.

Structural engineers, including those from the Cebu City Office of the Building Official, have already inspected the terminal and found it to be still safe for use.

Meanwhile, after weathering calls for him to be fired from his job, Dejoras said the governor instructed him to impose discipline in the terminal, and that is something he would do.

He said discipline means order, and those who cannot tow that line better stay away from the terminal.

“They have to leave, kay tinarong man kaha atong tuyo diri, unya dili sila mosubay unsay ti-narong (because we want order here and they would not follow),” Dejoras said.

A petition signed by 169 stallholders, drivers, conductors, vendors and bus operators asking that Dejoras be replaced reached Davide’s office early this month.

The former Cebu City Hall department head was accused of using vulgar language, shouting at and looking down on other people.

Davide, though, decided to retain Dejoras after hearing the side of other stallholders defending his appointee.—/RHM (FREEMAN)