Private firm may manage CSBT

Saying it is difficult for Capitol to run the terminal, Gov. Davide supports EEC recommendation

THE Provincial Government’s Economic Enterprise Council (EEC) has recommended that a private firm operates the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT), and Gov. Hilario Davide III does not see any problem with it.

“I am in favor (of the recommendation). It’s difficult for the Provincial Government to run the CSBT,” said Davide.

The governor, however, pointed out that it is just a recommendation, which will still be subjected to further discussion and it needs the approval of the Provincial Board.

“Let a private party operate it. Ang Province lang ang mo share sa profit (The Province will just get a share from the profit) and we keep the lot (and structures),” said Davide of the recommendation during a meeting with the EEC’s technical group last Wednesday that the governor presided, with Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale as vice chair.

Once approved, Davide said, a bidding process will then be conducted. The bidder whose offer would be most advantageous to the Province will have the chance to manage the terminal.

Buses

“Well, para dili kaayo labad ang ulo sa Probinsya. Imagine kana karon, mga pasahero nga mag problema kong rush hour. Kong season daghan kaayo pasahero, kita’y mag-problema asa kuha og bus o asa kita manghuwam og bus (So that the Province will no longer have any problem. Just think about the present situation, the passengers are having difficulties during rush hour. During peak season, we will have problems of finding additional buses or where we could borrow buses,” said Davide.

During All Souls’ Day last year, CSBT acting operations manager Eddie Dusaban Sr., said that around 60,000 passengers trooped to the terminal and the number of buses was only around 400. (On regular days, only 285 buses are available.)

This prompted the Province to utilize the Suroy-Suroy buses to ca- ter to the demand of the passengers.