Yes, the new CPA terminal has free WiFi
CPA inaugurates P50-million facility with diaper-changing stations, meditation room, free WiFi
THE public will enjoy modern facilities and a better-managed crowd in the newly rehabilitated Terminal 2 in Pier 3, which was inaugurated by the Cebu Port Authority yesterday.
It cost the CPA P50 million to rebuild the old terminal into a fully air-conditioned area with gender-sensitive facilities like the diaper-changing stations, a breast-feeding room, meditation room and first aid clinic with a standby nurse.
The terminal is also equipped with free WiFi for the passengers.
Terminal 2 can accommodate close to a thousand people, who may look at the digital screens to check the schedules and status of the trips.
CPA General Manager Edmund Tan said that vessels bound for Ormoc, Leyte and Bohol berth in Pier 3.
"It's about time we see things like this. This is what the CPA law is all about and it's coming to fruition," said Rep. Raul del Mar (Cebu City, north district), who crafted Republic Act 7621, which created the CPA, an independent authority from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
Del Mar said that under the PPA, Cebu didn't have a fair share of the income. When the CPA was created, Cebu ports earned billions.
Better
Del Mar also heard other guests praising Terminal 2 as better than those in Manila.
"It should be better than Manila. Manila standards are not what we're aiming for, but world-class standards. We're getting there but much needs to done," said Del Mar.
Col. Oscar Lopez, CPA Manager for Port Security and Safety, said that the terminal has X- ray scanners for baggage and walk- through metal detectors for passengers.
More than 30 security personnel are deployed in the passenger terminal.
"We also augment K9 dogs especially now that the APEC (Asia-Pacific Eco- nomic Cooperation) meeting is to be held in Cebu so we have to heighten security measures," said Lopez.
Increase
For its sustainability, Tan said that the terminal fee was increased to P25 from P10. The P1 terminal fee for the ferry boat to Lapu-Lapu was also increased to P2.
But the fee is waived for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women and children below 11 years old.
A P350-million Terminal 3 exclusive for fastcraft will also be built in Pier 4.
Department of Transportation and Communications Undersecretary and CPA Chairperson Julianito Bucayan Jr. attended the inauguration. EJR