Lapu-Lapu turns down residents' plea to operate their own v-hire terminal

CEBU, Philippines - Residents in Camella Homes in barangay Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City have urged the city government to allow them to operate their own terminal for vans for hire or V-hires, for short.

Jesus Atoc, president of the Camella Homes residents said an application submitted to the city government had been ignored.

Instead, the city government has approved the offer of Gaisano Island Mall to operate a Central Terminal for V-hires at the premises of the mall.

Gaisano Island Mall will operate a terminal with the agreement that the city government will collect fees from V-hires.

The plan to require v-hires to use the Central Terminal has met strong opposition from residents.

During a recent public hearing, Councilor Eduardo Cuizon, chairman of the committee on transportation, confirmed the plan of the city government to use the terminal.

Cuizon said the move is aimed at regulating the operations of v-hires from Lapu-Lapu to Cebu City.

However, Cuizon said v-hires coming from Cebu City will not be required to use the terminal.

Atoc during the public hearing said a number of passengers are dependent on v-hires that serve their place. (FREEMAN)