Use of Kaohsiung buses free

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Government is reminding the public that they can use the city’s Kaohsiung buses for free.

Andy Borres of the office of Mayor Michael Rama made this statement after he received complaints that users of the bus were asked to pay P50 each.

Borres who is tasked in the dispatching of the Kaohsiung buses said he will investigate this report as collecting fare from Kaohsiung bus users is illegal.

Councilor Michael Ralota, T. Padilla barangay captain, said he received complaints from his constituents that they were asked to pay P50 each when they used two Kaohsiung buses to Carmen town in northern Cebu.

Ralota said the City Hall allowed his constituents to use the buses last August 17 in going to Carmen, which is about 40 kilometers from Cebu City, to visit the Virgin of Manaoag Shrine.

“Mahimo ba ni nga krudo man sa gobyerno ang gigamit? Pwede tingali ang drayber hatagan og gamay’ng pahalipay pero pabayron og plete dili tingali mahimo,” said Ralota, the president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) and an ex-officio member of the City Council.

Borres admitted that he also received similar complaints from Barangay Sirao, a mountain barangay of Cebu City.

Borres personally went to Sirao to investigate but the senior citizens concerned refused to execute an affidavit about the matter.

Borres encouraged those who have similar complaints to see him so that the Office of the Mayor can take action against some persons who are making money out of the city’s free services.

“Dili na sila kina-hanglang mobayad kay free man ang service sa Kaohsiung buses. Ang driver gani gisweldohan man na sila sa City Hall, gawas kon holiday kay mahimo sila nga mobulontaryo paghatag,” Borres said.  (FREEMAN)