Seniang disrupts bus travel to south

CEBU, Philippines - The effects of typhoon Seniang has disrupted vehicle traffic in southern Cebu, particularly in Sibonga town where the bridge at the national highway collapsed.

At least 200 buses were ferrying passengers from the South Bus Terminal in Cebu City to various destinations in the south but the buses failed to return to the terminal as scheduled owing to the obstacles, said Eddie Dusaban, the terminal's acting operations manager. 

"Daghan kaayong natanggong pa diri sa South Bus karon kay tungod wa kabalik ang mga Ceres nato, na-stranded tungod ni Seniang," Dusaban said yesterday.

He, however, said there are enough mini-buses to convey passengers to nearby destinations.

"Makabalik ra man dayon so wa tay problema sa mga mini-buses," he said.

The terminal has 285 buses and mini-buses. The Cebu City government has also deployed six Kaohsiung buses.

Dusaban said that volume of passengers increased significantly but remained manageable. Additional security guards from Capitol and the Philippine National Police were also deployed.  Railings and signage were also put up to organize the lines of passengers.

"So far, hapsay man diri sa terminal," Dusaban said yesterday.

Dusaban said that to address the problems experienced in the south, buses departing the terminal have to stop in Sibonga town where passengers would transfer to the buses that were stranded so they can be ferried to their destinations.

"Ang katong na-stranded nga bus na lang ang modawat nila (passengers). Mao na lang nay atong gi-implement ron," he said.

The terminal management asked for understanding from the public. Dusaban said movement of buses could have been smoother had Seniang not devastated southern Cebu. He reminded passengers not to bring with them sharp objects and explosives or firecrackers to the terminal because these would be confiscated.  (FREEMAN)