CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu provincial government has earned P30,000 in revenue on the first day of operating the Cebu North Bus Terminal in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.
Carmen Quijano, who manages the Capitol-run terminals, said the income was from the parking fees, entrance fees of buses, taxis, vans, and motorcycles. The CNBT started its full swing operation on Thursday, October 15, 2020. The terminal, located at the SM City compound, is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“Thirty thousand pesos (P30, 000) whole day na gikan sa mga bus operators and other fees. Pero dili pa na full-blown nga kita,” said Quijano.
The terminal is collecting P200 parking fee for buses and P150 for V-hire. A P10 entrance fee is also collected for every taxi and motorcycle entering the terminal.
According to Quijano, there were fewer passengers at the terminal on its first day of operation.
“Di gyud kaayo daghan, gamay ra gyud kaayo. Arang-arang nalang gani ron kay mas daghan. Mas maayo sad dili ra kaayo daghan ang tawo para dili magdasok,” Quijano said.
The Capitol is implementing the same protocols for both CNBT and Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT), the other Capitol-run terminal located along Natalio Bacalso Avenue in Cebu City.
Quijano said physical distancing, wearing of masks and face shields are strictly implemented in both terminals.
Quijano said they are still working to improve the system in the CNBT, especially the traffic flow.
“Nagtan-aw pata sa unsay dagan ani. Kung unsay area needed pa og guards, kung butangan ba nato og dugang chairs. Or kung ilisan ba nato atong tent kay naay uban ni complain nga init ang tent,” Quijano said.
Quijano said the provincial engineering office had promised to start building structures like comfort rooms.
“Plano nila ron magbutang og CR. Naghuwat nalang ta maabot ang mga construction materials,” Quijano said. Portalets are currently used as temporary comfort rooms for passengers at the CNBT.
Quijano shared that one of their struggles during the first day of operation was the floods in the area. — FPL (FREEMAN)