No ticket, no entry at South Bus

CEBU, Philippines – In anticipation of the influx of homebound passengers for All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) has beefed up its security measures, banning people without tickets from the passenger waiting area.

Representatives from the CSBT, Cebu Provincial Police Office, the Cebu Port Authority, Maritime Industry Authority, the maritime police, and the Armed Forces met with Governor Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday to discuss security measures for the upsurge of passengers for the Undas.

Garcia said that among the points discussed was the prohibition of non-passengers from entering the passenger’s waiting area in the CSBT.

According to Garcia, this system was practiced during her previous stint as governor to ensure that the space was maximized by passengers of the terminal.

“During my time, katong ako pa’y governor, we never allowed non-passengers inside the terminal. Because a terminal is supposed to be for passengers only,” she said.

The governor added that she insisted that the system be reestablished over two weeks ago. However, she was disappointed when she discovered that a couple of days until the busiest days of the Undas break, the terminal was yet to implement the new regulation.

“To my frustration, this was not followed. And hapit na kaayo… ang 31st. Mao na na ang grabe nga sakay (October 31 is very close. That’s when the passenger volume peaks),” Garcia said.

In the system Garcia suggested, tickets are to be issued by bus liners before the entrance to the waiting area. The guards will then subsequently check for tickets upon entrance to the waiting area to make sure that only passengers pass.

Those who wish to travel via CSBT are now advised to expect to comply with this new system.

As for security, Garcia said that forces from the police and the AFP will be deployed to CSBT. She disclosed that even with the terminal’s request for blue guards, she trusts the competence of the police and the AFP.

The governor also met with representatives from bus liners and the Land Transportation Office to address the need for more buses to accommodate the drastic increase in passengers.

Heightened alert

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard in Central Visayas and the PNP Maritime Group are now on a heightened alert for Undas.

The Philippine Coast Guard-Central Visayas together with PNP Maritime Group and Cebu Ports Authority conducted the send-off ceremony for those personnel expected to maintain peace and order. It was held at the Malacañang sa Sugbo at Pier 1 Aduana Wharf yesterday.

PCG-CV spokesperson Michael Encina said that the initiative aims to ensure the orderly operation of sea transport facilities, safe/convenient travel of the seafaring public and even the safety and security of resort visitors.

PCG-CV has deployed personnel from Court State Control, Marine Environmental Protection Unit, Special Operation Unit/Coast Guard Divers, medical teams , K-9 and personnel from Cebu Coast Guard District and those from PNP Maritime and CPA.  JMD (FREEMAN)