In time for SM Seaside mall opening today: Green light given to 3 MyBus units

CEBU, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 had approved one of the franchise applications of Metro Rapid Transit System Inc. that operates the SM MyBus in time for the opening today of the country’s fourth biggest shopping mall at the South Road Properties.

LTFRB-7 Director Rey Elnar said that the approved franchise has three hybrid bus units to serve the route from Talisay City to Cebu City via SM Seaside City, Mambaling, Natalio Bacalso Avenue, and vice versa.

Elnar said that the operator can now collect the approved rate of P25 per passenger.

“With the approval of their franchise, SM MyBus can now collect a fare,” Elnar said.

In his six-page order dated November 24, 2015, Elnar stated that the Certificate of Public Convenience shall be valid and subsisting for a period of five years from the date of its approval.

The approval came despite strong opposition from the various transport organizations in Cebu. During the public hearing on October 16, the Cebu Integrated Transport Service Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Visayas United Drivers Transport and Allied Services Cooperative, Metro Cebu Taxi Operators Association, Cebu Provincial Bus Operators Association, Cebu South Mini Bus Operators Association, and the National Confederation of Transportworkers Union-Central Visayas, have opposed the franchise applications to field 77 SM MyBus.

The oppositors claimed that the application is against the moratorium on the issuance of new certificates of public convenience for Public Utility Bus Service.

“The entry of additional bus units of the applicant will definitely contribute largely to the worsening traffic situation of Metro Cebu,” the oppositors claim.

However, Elnar said that the new applications involve high quality premium buses under the High Quality Public Transport System, a first of its category to service a route in the Metro Cebu area.

The order stated that none of the oppositors are existing HQPTS providers of the same standards and category and neither are they existing operators of the same route, precisely considering that what is involve is a developmental route.

The opening up of this developmental route bears the requisite imprimatur of the Department of Transportation and Communication through a memorandum dated December 17, 2014 which explained that the proposed route (Talisay City Hall to Mactan Cebu International Airport is strategic and identified as a developmental route for the reasons that there is no public mode of transport plying the route at present, making it difficult for people to have direct access to the airport or to the areas located along the coastline; The area traversed by the route is currently undergoing a major development expansion and will include a variety of commercial hubs and tourists locations; and there is a need for public transport in the proposed area wherein the projected ridership for 2015 is 118,000 daily passengers.

It added that the determination and approval of this developmental route is within the competence and jurisdiction of DOTC.

“This regional office therefore has no legal basis to depart from this classification made by a higher office,” the order read.

The order added that the apprehension that the fielding of these HQPTS buses would worsen traffic condition and would have adverse effects on the interests of many other CPC holders has no adequate legal jurisdiction to hold in abeyance the modernization thrust for public land transport.

LTFRB’s technical section conducted an inspection of the three units and indicated that the units are Euro V compliant, 12 meters in length, two axles, 380 mm floor height and equipped with front and rear doors.

SM seaside city opens today     

SM Prime Holdings President Hans Sy hopes that the company’s newest mall in Cebu will not only attract Cebuanos but also tourists coming into the province.

“We should be able to attract a lot of people, and the kind of attraction we’re trying to do is not only for Cebuanos but also tourists,” Sy said in an interview yesterday at the sidelines of the blessing of SM Seaside City, adding that he believes in the buying power of Cebuanos.

 “Filipinos, as they are, are avid shoppers. It’s a way of life already,” Sy added.

Teresita Sy-Coson, vice chairperson of SM Investments Corp. (SMIC), said in a separate interview that they want their newest mall to become a tourist destination for local and foreign travelers.

“I think a lot of attention has been focused on Cebu so I’m sure that with the further developments in this part, I’m sure there would be more foreign and local investments coming into Cebu,” Coson said.

Coson hopes that SM Seaside, the firm’s 56th mall and fourth largest in the Philippines, will become a catalyst of development in Cebu’s southern part.

At least 60 to 80 policemen will be deployed today at the SRP to ensure the safety of the shoppers at the newest mall in the city.

Senior Superintendent Marciano Batiancela Jr., the acting chief of the Cebu City Police Office, said he already directed all the police stations in the city to have at least two police personnel to be deployed at the SRP.

He said another police augmentation from the Regional Public Safety Battalion-7 and Special Weapons and Tactics are also expected to be at the vicinity around the SM Seaside mall for additional security.

“Ang ato ana is ang perimeter security sa SM (Seaside) ug sa dapit sa Mambaling nga maglakaw ang mga tawo,” he said.

The Cebu City Transportation Office is also anticipating possible traffic problem in today’s opening.

Lawyer Rey Gealon, acting executive director of CCTO, said the office will deploy more than 12 personnel to implement the traffic management plan for the mall’s soft opening.

“We will observe traffic situation tomorrow (today) and make the necessary adjustments if needed,” he said.—with Carlo S. Lorenciana, Ma. Fatima R. Secuya, and May B. Miasco/FPL (FREEMAN)