For vans-for-hire: New terminal in Brgy Ermita

CEBU, Philippines - Following the closure of the One Citilink Terminal last Tuesday, the Cebu City government has opened a lot near the Compania Maritima building in Barangay Ermita as a temporary terminal for vans-for-hire yesterday.

Over 200 v-hires were able to utilize the open space near the Compania Maritima yesterday, said Cebu City Transportation Office executive director Rey Gealon.

“CCTO is waiting for the submission of the requirements of v-hire operators and drivers who will utilize the frontage of the Maritima building as temporary terminal. Copies of their unit’s franchise, official receipt and certificate of registration and driver’s license are required to avail of the free-of-charge terminal,” he said, adding that v-hire drivers were happy with the temporary terminal.

However, as of yesterday the city accommodated all v-hires pending the submission of the requirements. Gealon said that the city will no longer allow the v-hires that cannot present requirements starting August 4.

“CCTO is serious in prohibiting non-compliant operators and drivers to ensure the safety and security of passengers as they ply their respective routes outside Cebu City,” he said.

Last Tuesday, the city government padlocked the One Citilink Terminal, which catered to southbound v-hires and minibuses, due to permit violations. The owner of the terminal has sued the city over the move, claiming due process was not observed.

City administrator Lucelle Mercado said the city will not allow vending inside the temporary terminal.

Under the guidelines of the temporary terminal, it will be open from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. only. The city does not allow overnight parking of the vehicles.

Mercado said the city has also provided two tents and four portable toilets for the temporary terminal.

 “Until further notice, no fees (will be) collected from the v-hire operators or drivers for the usage of the temporary terminal,” read the guidelines.

CCTO, formerly known as City Traffic Operations Management, has the primary authority and responsibility to implement the guidelines set forth by the city.

Violation of any of the guidelines shall be ground for revocation of the registration issued by CCTO.

Mercado said all v-hire drivers should follow and comply with the requirements.

“Needed ang certification para ma-identify nato dayon sila nga compliant sa atong requirements,” she said.

She said that the terminal is temporary and will only last until the end of the month or if the city can find a permanent area for the terminal before then.

Mercado earlier said that the city is eyeing an area between the boundary of Cebu City and Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City as the site for a terminal for v-hires plying routes outside the city.

After the closure of the One Citilink Terminal, the city accommodated the v-hires at the Taboan Public Market in Barangay San Nicolas Proper.

Gealon said better traffic flow will be experienced along Natalio Bacalso Avenue, where the Citilink is located, since over 200 v-hires will no longer traverse there.

He said the v-hires stationed in the open space fronting Compania Maritima will traverse the South Coastal Road going to their various destinations in the south of Cebu.

To avoid interrupting traffic flow along MJ Cuenco Avenue and other streets near the temporary terminal, Gealon said his office is deploying 10 personnel to assist the motorists.

“Naka-anticipate ta nga naa’y traffic sa MJ Cuenco and other streets near Compania Maritima but dili gyod kaayo maka-affect sa traffic flow kay ang v-hires adto mo- traverse sa SRP,” he said.

The city has also assigned policemen and barangay tanods to ensure the security and safety of the passengers in the temporary terminal.

As of  2 p.m. yesterday, Gealon said the terminal housed at least 148 Toledo City-bound v-hires, 60 v-hires for Balamban, and 30 v-hires for Barili and Dumanjug.

“It will be lessened as soon as we can agree with the North Bus Terminal for Balamban routes,” he said.

The One Citilink Terminal used to cater four routes; Balamban, Toledo City, Sibonga and Badian.

The city utilized the area around fronting the Compania Maritima even with the unresolved issue on the ownership of the building with the Cebu Port Authority.

CPA has filed a civil case on behalf of the national government against Cebu City to stop the city from interfering with CPA’s rights over its property.

Gealon, a lawyer by profession, said that they will continue possessing the ownership of the lot.

“Presently, the city is in possession of that property and we have evidence to prove it. Until and unless the court says otherwise, we will continue possessing the same,” Gealon said. — /BRP (FREEMAN)