Davide: Consultation before CSBT transfer

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III has assured those who are opposed to the idea of relocating the Cebu South Bus Terminal to the South Road Properties that a public consultation will be conducted before any final decision will be made.

Davide made the assurance after Julito Flores, president of the Cebu South Mini Bus Operators Association (CSMBOA), has expressed his disapproval to the plan during a meeting last week.

Flores said the present location of the terminal is the most suitable for the commuters since it is just a walking distance from the heart of the city.

“Definitely, di gyud mi okey kay apektado man ang atong operation, kay ang CSBT karon walking distance ra sa city. Apektado sad atong commuter, atong mga sumasakay,” Flores said.

Flores added that it is not yet the right time to transfer the terminal. He said it may be five years from now when the commuters are already conditioned that the terminal will be relocated.

Davide explained to the bus operators that one of the reasons why the terminal will be transferred is to help decongest the area because of the traffic problem.

“Ang ato man gud nga plano is to help the congestion sa traffic dinhi,” Davide said.

But Flores said there is no traffic problem at the terminal. He said there has been no increase in the number of buses or mini-buses at the CSBT.

“Actually di man kaayo huot, there are times lang, bisan asa nga point sa Cebu City naa man gyud traffic. That’s normal sa ciudad nga taas ang asenso,” Flores said.

“Pero di ta maguol kay atoang mga bus karon nga naa diri mao raman na sila ang number of buses, wa man sab ta’y opening of new routes,” he added.

The Capitol considers transferring CSBT to SRP once the proposed land swapping deal with the Cebu City government is completed. The city government has included 2.5-hectare at the SRP in the land swap proposal with the Capitol’s 93-1 lots.

Flores said they might be forced to find another terminal if the proposed transfer to SRP will push through. He prefers Talisay City as the new location of the terminal.

“Amenable or dili among opposition, we will try to look for another terminal. Dili man mi kontrolado sa probinsiya, di sab mi ingon nga kon asa ang probinsiya didto sab mi. As long as we can afford to have our own terminal then we’ll do it,” said Flores.

Davide, however, said that the plan is not yet final. (FREEMAN)