Relocation of bus terminal opposed

CEBU, Philippines - The idea of transferring the Cebu South Bus Terminal to Minglanilla town or Talisay City in order to solve the traffic problem along N. Bacalso Avenue received oppositions and spawned concerns that it may bring inconvenience to the riding public.

Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said she is not supporting the suggestion if it would only aggravate the traffic problem in Minglanilla and Talisay City.

“If it will solve the problem in the area (N.Bacalso), it’s okay. But if it will add traffic Minglanilla or Talisay City, di pud ‘ta mosugot. If it (terminal) can be transferred without causing discomfort to our constituents going south, then well and good. Pero asa man (but to where)?” Magpale told reporters, recounting her experience when she was caught in traffic congestion in Minglanilla.

Jone Siegfred Sepe, Provincial General Services Office head, said the province has no other strategically located property within Cebu City that can be utilized as a new terminal.

“Naa sa prime location man gud ang atong existing terminal. Pero if makakita ta’g better option, puwede ra siya mabalhin,” he said.

The facility sits on a lot owned by the Cebu provincial government.

In a separate interview, Ramon Dumayac Jr., operations manager of the CSBT, welcomed the idea of transferring the terminal but not to Minglanilla or Talisay City as it would only bring inconvenience to the commuters.

“Layo ra sab kaayo ang Minglanilla,” he told The FREEMAN over the phone, suggesting that the terminal be relocated to South Road Properties.

He admitted that the present terminal could hardly accommodate the growing number of passengers, especially during peak season when long queues would reach the nearby mall, causing traffic congestion in the area.

 “Ang paggawas pud sa bus maka-cause pud og traffic… But depende ra tanan sa agreement between the province and Cebu City,” he said.

But Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama earlier signified that the city could not grant a space in SRP for the terminal as it would be against his thrust to have terminals situated outside the city.

Further, Dumayac is pushing for the expansion of the terminal, saying it is now an immediate need to cater to the growing vo-lume of passengers.

He reported that the average volume of passengers at CSBT reaches more than 5,000 on regular days.

“Sa una ang terminal luag pa man ‘to pero karon daghan na man ang tawo sa Cebu City because it is a prime city for employment. Dugay pa man ‘na ma-realize ang pag-transfer so the idea should be expansion,” he said.

For Ellen Yap, 59, from Barangay Valladolid in Carcar City, transferring the terminal would mean another cost and inconvenience to the commuters.

“Gubot na kaayo sa commuters labi na og SRP, layo na, wa ma’y jeep didto. Mag-taxi ka, mahal na sab,” she told reporters.

Flogiel Hoyohoy, 31, a bus driver, shared the same sentiment, saying the relocation would only give discomfort to the riding public.

“Di ko pabor kay layo kaayo ang Minglanilla unya langay pa sa mga pasahero,” he said. (FREEMAN)