For capitol’s top posts: Bus owners back Magpale, Davide

CEBU, Philippines - Bus and minibus operators in Cebu are rallying behind the tandem of acting governor Agnes Magpale and lawyer Hilario "Junjun" Davide III in the May elections.

Julieto Flores, president of Cebu Provincial Bus Operators Association (CPBOA), and Richard Corominas, president of Cebu South Mini Bus Operators Association (CSMBOA), said they support the candidacies of Magpale and Davide.

Davide is running for governor while Magpale is running for vice governor under the Liberal Party.

Flores said their decision to support Magpale came after she approved their request to reduce the parking fee at the Cebu South Bus Terminal.

From P100, Flores explained, suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia had increased the parking fee to P200.

Flores said this has been a big burden for bus operators and drivers, the reason why some of their members would park their buses in other areas.

Garcia reportedly declined when the CPBOA and CSMBOA asked her to reconsider her decision.

Flores said they are not against any parking fee increase but Garcia's move raising the amount by 100 percent was unreasonable. CPBOA has 15 members while CSMBOA has 28 members.

During yesterday's regular meeting attended by Davide and Magpale, the bus and minibus operators thanked the acting governor for listening to their concern.

Magpale said she had to make a decision even if it would mean a substantial amount loss for the province, which is now having financial troubles.

25 percent reduction

After discussing with the Provincial Economic Enterprise Council, Magpale had approved the reduction of 25 percent in the parking fee for buses, stating that they would need to balance profit and public service.

Yesterday, Magpale expressed gratitude to the bus operators for their understanding of the P50 reduction in the parking fee.

"This is the most reasonable reduction," she said

If more buses will use the CSBT as agreed upon, Magpale said they will discuss again with the PEEC the possibility of another parking fee reduction.

Flores also said they have been supporting Davide since the last elections when Davide ran against Garcia for the gubernatorial seat.

In the next elections, Davide is running against Garcia's younger brother, Cebu third district Representative Pablo John Garcia.

Although he did not say if the whole association would support the  tandem of Magpale and Davide, Flores stressed that they are one in supporting those who have "heard their pleas."

No posting of campaign materials

Meanwhile, Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board-7 Director Ahmed Cuizon reminded bus operators on the posting of campaign paraphernalia of candidates.

Cuizon explained that their central office strictly prohibits the posting of campaign materials inside public utility vehicles.

But during an open forum, a bus operator said that their bus was not allowed to enter Balamban town without a poster of a certain candidate.

Cuizon, however, said this would now be prevented since the new provision does not allow campaign posters inside buses.

But Cuizon clarified that public utility vehicles can be rented for campaign sorties or election-related events as long as there are proper permits.

He said they favor the idea of PUVs being used in these events since it would mean additional income for the operators and drivers.

But he said drivers should present a permit from their office allowing them to ply on routes outside their franchises.

Cuizon said the permit would only cost operators P130 but they will be fined P6,000 if their units is apprehended while traversing another route without permit.  -/LPM (FREEMAN)