Temporary terminal set up in Tabunok

CEBU, Philippines — To ease traffic congestion in Talisay City, a temporary terminal for tricycles, jeepneys, and motorcycles-for-hire or habal-habals has been set up on the one-hectare private lot on Rafael Rabaya Street in Barangay Tabunok.

Public utility vehicles have been using the service road under the flyover as temporary terminal, causing traffic jams in the area.

The city, particularly Tabunok, is notorious for its traffic problems.

Mayor Eduardo Gullas earlier promised to solve the traffic problem after receiving numerous complaints.

In fact, the mayor and the private lot owner have entered into a memorandum of agreement on the free utilization of the property, which is located few meters away from the new Tabunok Public Market.

Marlito Uy, who hails from Bohol, has allowed the city government to use his property as temporary terminal for three to six months while the P165-million new public market is yet to be completed.

The market’s second phase worth P98 million includes a terminal for tricycles and habal-habals.

The operation of the temporary terminal is already in full swing since yesterday. The terminal can accommodate up to 3,500 vehicles.

Almond dela Peña, head of the Talisay City Traffic Operations Development Authority, said the traffic in Barangay Tabunok has significantly improved following the establishment of the terminal.

“Dako ang epekto sa terminal kay luag na kaayo ug hawan na ang flyover underpass. Daghan nabag-uhan labi na ang sumasakay,” he said.

He said the loading and unloading of passengers are only allowed inside the terminal to avoid bottlenecks on Rabaya Street.

But the new scheme does not sit well with some passengers, especially those who need to walk their way through the flyover in going to the terminal.

One of the commuters, 61-year-old Virginia Villarmia, said it would be hard for her to carry her groceries all the way to the terminal.

“Layo kaayo mi’g lakawan,” she said.

On other hand, Rolando Candidisimo, a tricycle driver, said the area easily gets flooded during heavy rains so it should be paved with an asphalt overlay.

“Okay ra diri pero lapok lang. Maong among hangyo i-aspalto. Mosunod mi unsa’y gusto sa syudad kay nanginabuhi man mi og tarong,” he said.

City Engineer Gamaliel Vicente Jr. earlier said the city appropriated around 700,000 for the improvement of the terminal which include, among others, the ground leveling.— KBQ (FREEMAN)