V-hire drivers want terminal open 24 hours

CEBU, Philippines - Drivers of the vans-for-hire using an open space near Compania Maritima as temporary terminal are requesting the Cebu City government to allow them to operate 24 hours. 

Felix Pertacorta Jr., president of Toledo V-hire Transport Service Cooperative, said they will bring up the request during a meeting with Mayor Michael Rama today.

“Mas maayo gyod nga 24 hours kay 24 hours pod ang pasahero labi na nga duol ra pod mi og pier,” he told reporters.

There are 148 drivers under the Toledo City cooperative, he said.

Under the existing memorandum, the temporary terminal is open only from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. and overnight parking is not allowed.

Pertacorta said that v-hire drivers do not have other option where to park their units. He said that they will also ask the mayor to amend the memorandum so that they can utilize the terminal the whole day.

“Ganahan pod unta mi nga maka-agi lang unta mi og mga eskwelahan like CIT-U (Cebu Institute of Technology – University), UC-METC (University of Cebu - Maritime Education and Training Center) pareha sa among rota sa una. Para namo, maayo nga maka-agi mi diritso sa SRP (South Road Properties) pero maluoy pod mi sa mga estudyante,” he said.

Following the closure of the One Citilink Terminal last Tuesday, the city has opened the vacant area near Compania Maritima building in Barangay Ermita as temporary terminal for vans-for-hire.

The temporary terminal is used by at least 148 v-hires using the route to Toledo City, 60 v-hires for Balamban, and 30 v-hires for Barili and Dumanjug.

Last Tuesday, the city government padlocked the One Citilink Terminal, which catered to southbound v-hires and minibuses, due to permit violations.

The owner of the terminal has sued the city over the move, claiming due process was not observed.

Pertacorta said they are more comfortable with the Compania Maritima site than with the Tabo-an Public Market where they first transferred immediately after the closure of One Citilink Terminal.

Rama inspected the temporary terminal yesterday morning with Cebu City Transportation Office executive director Rey Gealon.

Rama wants the v-hire drivers to look for a place that would serve as permanent terminal, stressing that it is not the responsibility of the city government to look for them.

“Sila ang mangita. For now, tabang lang usa ta nila for the temporary terminal, if makakita tomorrow then transfer dayon,” he said.

Rama, however, did not impose an ultimatum on the drivers to look for permanent terminal. But he said the area should be cleared before January because it will be used as Devotee City during the Sinulog. — (FREEMAN)