V-hire terminal at SM Seaside proposed

CEBU, Philippines - With the soft opening of SM Seaside City at the South Road Properties expected to take place next month, SM Prime Holdings Inc. is asking the Cebu City government for permission for it to operate a van-for-hire terminal. 

The SM Seaside City management has already asked the Terminal Accreditation Committee of the Cebu City government for a permit to operate a v-hire terminal.

 Cebu City Administrator, Dr. Lucelle Mercado, confirmed that he received the letter from SM two weeks ago.

Mercado said that it has to undergo a process and they need properly discuss it first. 

He said though that SM Prime Holdings Inc. has started complying with some of the requirements for the permit.

“We will have an ocular inspection on Monday then we will coordinate with our technical staff for whatever recommendations will be,” said Mercado, who added that Mayor Michael Rama has also been informed about the proposed terminal.

If granted, Mercado said that the south-bound v-hires, which are currently operating in an area outside the Compania Maritima, may be transferred permanently to the SM Seaside terminal.

This after the One Citilink Terminal, where the south bound v-hires used to wait for passengers, was ordered closed for operating without a permit.

The court though has recently ordered for the terminal to resume operations but a number of v-hire drivers have opted to stay at the Compania Maritima lot. 

Felix Pertacor, chairman of the Toledo V-hire Transport Service Cooperative, said that he doesn’t have any idea on what’s going to happen if ever the transfer will be implemented. However, he promised that they will agree with whatever will be the decision of the city government.

“Na anad naman mi aning balhin-balhin pero dili nalang sad mi moreklamo kay mao man ni among panginabuhi, mo sunod lang gyud mi kung unsay decision sa mayor,” Pertacor added

Pertacor mentioned that he and the other drivers still want to go back to One Citilink Terminal but they were not allowed to stay there. He said they were told that they will be fined P6,000 and will be suspended for a month if they will stay at the terminal.

“Kung ibalhin mi didto’s SM, bintaha nalang oy kaysa adto mi sa terminal perteng dakoa sa multa, bisag usa ka buwan di gihapon na mabayran kung madakpan mi. Kuwang ra among panginabuhi,” he said

Mario Santos, a V-hire driver for 15 years, is amenable to the idea to transfer them to SM Seaside, saying it will be more convenient for them and their passengers. — (FREEMAN)