Capitol eyes integrated bus terminal

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu provincial government is eyeing to integrate the two provincial-run terminals for the north and south.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said the newly managed Cebu North Bus Terminal (CNBT) located at SM City Cebu grounds is temporary for two years.

The CNBT resumed its operation at its new location last October 15 for buses plying northern Cebu.

An agreement between the provincial government and SM Prime Holdings Inc. was signed during the soft opening last October 12, 2020.

"Because we are looking that in the next two years we will be able to develop an integrated north and south bus terminal, so tanan whether gikan ka sa north or gikan ka sa south or vice versa usa na lang ka terminal," Garcia said.

The governor said the South Road Properties (SRP) is "ideal" for the integrated bus terminal or facility.

She added that the Capitol is open for a public-private partnership or joint venture agreement with any interested party.

"We are serving notice to all interested," Garcia furthered.

The Capitol is now running two bus terminals, the newly managed CNBT and the Cebu South Bus Terminal which is located at Natalio Bacalso Avenue, Cebu City.

Meanwhile, CSBT management is proposing for a lower budget of P37.8 million for 2021 or a decrease of P10.8 million (22.33%) from this year's P48.6 million budget. — GMR (FREEMAN)