Temporary V-hire terminal transferred for Devotee City

CEBU, Philippines - The temporary terminal at the Compania Maritima grounds has been transferred at the back of Senior Citizen’s Park near the City Hall building in preparation for the Devotee City.

The Cebu City Transportation Office has finished transferring the facilities at the new area last January 1.

“CCTO facilitated the transfer of the temporary v-hire terminal as drivers and operators give way to the setting-up of the devotee city in the Maritima grounds. Everything is in place and in order including tents, tables, chairs, portalets, among other facilities,” said CCTO executive director Rey Gealon.

Gealon said he was informed by City Administrator Lucelle Mercado about the transfer because they need to already start preparing for the Devotee City.

The city government would start setting up the Devotee City, a project that provides free accommodation for devotees of the Santo Niño coming to city from distant towns and provinces.

Mercado said the city will start to install container vans that would serve as temporary shelter of devotees. One van can accommodate 15 to 20 people. She said the Devotee City will be open on the third week of the month.

Gealon said he was instructed to transfer the temporary terminal at the back of the Senior Citizen’s Park, which is just near the Maritima grounds.

“We are expecting that more v-hires will be coming in the next days which can be easily accommodated,” he said.

Mercado said at least 30 V-hires plying the Balamban route were already transferred to the North Bus Terminal.

“Sa luyo sa park, same facilities sa temporary terminal. Eventually, mo-move gyod sila sa SM Seaside kay dako man gud. Naay 2,000 square meter nga pwede magamit as terminal,” she said.

Mercado said SM Prime Holdings Inc. asked the city government for permission to operate a van-for-hire terminal outside the SM Seaside since there is an open space available.

She said SM Seaside City management has already asked the Terminal Accreditation Committee for a permit to operate a v-hire terminal. The city has already inspected and evaluated the area, she said. But, the management has yet to comply the other requirements like the provision of a public comfort rooms.

She said the management of SM expressed their intention in August last year, but added that it needs to undergo the whole process. As soon as the SM is able to comply all the requirements, she said all south-bound v-hires may be permanently transferred there.

The city provided temporary terminal in the open space of Compania Maritima after it closed the One Citilink Terminal for allegedly operating without a permit.

The court, however, has already ordered the terminal to resume operations but a number of v-hire drivers have opted to stay at the Compania Maritima lot.  (FREEMAN)