Free night buses for IT Park employees to be revived

CEBU, Philippines — The free bus rides intended for employees with night shifts at IT Park, Cebu City is now being pushed for revival through a refiled resolution after its approval last January was not implemented.

Councilor Nestor Archival Sr., minority floor leader who sponsored the said resolution, said this program is to recognize the contribution of the IT Industry to the city’s economy.

According to Archival, there are currently at least 150,000 call center agents in Cebu City and most of them report to work at the IT Park.

“Unya kaning mga tawhana, naghatag ni sila nato og kaayohan and I think it’s very important nga ato sad ni silang atimanon,” Archival told The Freeman yesterday, June 26, 2024.

He added that as the IT Industry operates 24 hours and most employees are assigned night to dawn shifts, it is only fitting that they be provided transportation that could also offer them safety as they go home.

Archival explained that there are fewer Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) traversing the city roads late at night to early dawn, which becomes a challenge for IT Industry employees.

“Nya makabalo ta nga kining ilang pagpadung sa ilang balay at this time medyo prone to sila sa mga tawo ga daotan nga maoy manghilabot nila ug uban pa,” said Archival.

Archival said that the free bus rides were implemented during the administration of former mayor Tomas Osmeña from 12 midnight to 6 am from the IT Park going to the nearest terminals. But it was halted when the administration changed.

“So nahunong man na, I think it’s about time nga kinahanglang tagaan nato sila og importansya back again,” he said.

He added that he was able to file this resolution back in January this year. Although it has been approved by the city council, it hasn’t been implemented since.  He further expressed that he is hopeful that this resolution will be implemented this time around.

Yesterday, during the regular session, majority of the council approved Archival’s resolution.

“Kay ato ning tabangan ang mga tawo nga nagtabang sad gyud nato,” said Archival, as he stressed on the safety as well of the workers.

“That’s why ako ni sya karong gi refile basin matan-aw ni sa executive,” he said. –/ATO (FREEMAN)