Not as simple as it seems

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama reiterated his call to transfer the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) to the South Road Properties (SRP) saying that the heart of the city should no longer be packed with terminals.

However, Councilor James Anthony Cuenco said it will not be as simple as that.

In an online interview yesterday, Rama said that all buses plying in the city should no longer have designated terminals in the heart of the city. However, he had yet to give concrete alternatives for the people from the south to reach city.

“All of these are being talk about kanang mga bus in the meantime tuyok na sa Cebu City, ayaw lang butangi og terminal. Kay inig abot sa terminal…moderetso na og padung sa terminal…manggawas na sa terminal, unsa may mahitabo?” he said.

While the buses will still use city streets should the transfer of the CSBT to the SRP push through, Rama said this will be handled by traffic management.

According to Rama, Cebu City is already jam-packed with terminals.

“Tanan gas station terminal. Because Jingjing Osmeña, the chairman sa traffic, and was very bold, had an ordinance removing all of it because the congestion is unimaginable. The chokepoint, you could imagine all the terminals at the heart of the city, unsay mahitabo?” said Rama.

It was reported that Rama wants the CSBT transferred to pave the way for the construction of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit.

However, the City Council Committee on Transportation chairman, Councilor James Anthony Cuenco, said the transfer is not an easy procedure and its call now is wrong timing amidst the spat between city and province leaders.

Cuenco said although Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is already amenable to the CSBT relocation, the current situation is an “ill-time” to do this since there is an ongoing issue among the leaders. They should settle this first.

“Nindot pa ta to kung last year pa kay hapsay pa to ang relasyon,” said Cuenco.

He added that at this point in time, even if Mayor Rama would order them to pass an ordinance to establish a terminal in SRP, the question is still if Cebu Province, which owns the CSBT and the lot it is on, is willing to move out.

“So it is easier said than done, and we cannot do it in one day…there are a lot of dynamics that need to be addressed,” said Cuenco.

He also said another factor that needs to be considered is the new bus terminal in the SRP; it has to be a modern terminal that is better than the existing one.

According to Cuenco, a dialogue must first be done before the carrying out of the plan, adding that quarreling will not get things done.

“Let us talk like responsible adults and consult the experts,” said Cuenco.

Talking about the specific routes for the commuters who are relying on buses to reach their destination, Cuenco said there is a need to map out the rerouting not just for the buses but also for the jeepneys to pass through the new terminal.

According to him, it is vital since the passengers will need access to the SRP terminal.

“And if the province will be unwilling because mao lagi na there are already hurt feelings. To transfer, the city cannot evict them from the present location because the province owns the land,” said Cuenco. –