Cebu City Council to mayor: Close the ‘illegal’ terminal in Kamagayan

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council is asking the Office of the Mayor to close the ‘illegal’ operation of a van-for-hire (V-hire) terminal in Barangay Kamagayan.

Councilor Pastor Alcover said his office received several complaints against the terminal.

“Last year, the officials of barangay Kamagayan were rocked by the setting up of a van-for-hire terminal along Junquera Street at the former site of the Citicenter and Farmer’s Market. Natukod kani sa ilang barangay nga wala man gani konsultasyon ug coordination sa opisyales sa barangay,” he said.

In a privilege speech last week, Alcover said he has several questions on the operation of the terminal, which houses over 150 V-hires.

He said his questions dwell on the legality of the establishment of the terminal, the absence of restrooms, existence of a gas station, and the collection of terminal fees.

Alcover said the city government should know who manages and operates the terminal.

He asked the council’s committee on transportation, which is headed by Councilor Joel Garganera, to make its comments and recommendations.

During the discussion portion, Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera said her office also receives the same complaints from random people.

“The report that was given was that each driver pays the alleged operator of the terminal P100 per trip. I believe that it is also a matter that the committee, of which the resolution was referred to, should also look into,” she said.

Councilor Sisinio Andales, an administration ally, said there is no need to ask permission from barangay officials of Kamagayan for the establishment of the terminal since the property is owned by the city government.

Alcover said he was informed that a certain Douglas Labra is heading the operation of the terminal.

Councilor Margarita Osmeña, for her part, said the City Council should include the queries on how the property was being used prior to the V-hire terminal.

Previously, she said, the property was used as a parking lot, and the same question as to the collection of fees for those who park at the area could be asked.

“Again, that question came up in the past. Who was collecting the fees that were charged from the drivers who were parking there? Maybe we should extend our query into…who… if this property is just being used by whoever or whatever and who gives the permission. We will not limit our queries for the van-for-hire terminal but also how it was used prior to that and by whom. If I may,” Osmeña said.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña will be back from his one-week personal trip today. (FREEMAN)