At north and south bus terminals: Capitol drops terminal fees

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro has suspended the collection of terminal fees at the provincial government-run north and south bus terminals to ease the burden on public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers amid rising fuel prices.

The suspension covers fees previously collected from buses, vans-for-hire (V-hires) and taxis using the two facilities. Under the previous rates, buses paid P250, V-hires P200 and taxis P20.

The Economic Enterprise Council (EEC) authorized the measure through Resolution No. 2026-012, approved on October 20, after initially considering a proposal to retain reduced terminal fees before Baricuatro requested a full suspension.

The resolution provides that the suspension will remain in effect until lifted through a subsequent EEC resolution.

"To ease the burden of our Cebuano and in time sa atong Kalag-Kalag... So wala nay bayad ang entrance sa South bus ug North bus," Baricuatro said during a press conference yesterday.

Cebu terminal administrator Ahmed Cuizon said the decision followed appeals from transport operators struggling with higher fuel and operating costs.

“There was a clamor from public utility vehicles in light of the oil and energy crisis,” Cuizon said in an interview.

“Tungod ining pagmahal sa atong diesel, pagmahal sa atong fuel, mao nang ni-request sila sa gobernador, and the governor listened to them,” he added.

Fees previously reduced

The full suspension replaces an earlier arrangement that reduced terminal fees by P50 from March to June, according to the terminal administration.

Regular rates resumed in October before the latest order took effect.

The resolution directs the management units of both terminals, in coordination with the Provincial Treasurer’s Office and other concerned provincial offices, to implement the suspension uniformly and inform collection personnel, transport operators and drivers of the change.

"...that the relief authorized herein shall consist of the FULL SUSPENSION OF COLLECTION, in place of the proposed application of reduced terminal-fee rates, and shall apply specifically to terminal fees at the aforementioned terminals," the resolution reads.

Terminal income

Records from the terminal administration show that the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) collected P10.72 million in taxi fees, P50.62 million from buses and minibuses, P4.66 million from V-hire parking and P2.62 million in arrival fees in 2025.

During the first six months of 2026, the CSBT collected P3.89 million in taxi fees, P20.48 million from buses and minibuses, P2.01 million from V-hire parking and P1.70 million in arrival fees.

At the Cebu North Bus Terminal, taxi fee collections reached P24.22 million in 2025 and P9.97 million during the first half of 2026.

Cuizon said the suspension would not significantly affect terminal operations, as the provincial government would continue to fund maintenance and upkeep through its overall income.

“No, it will not affect us,” he said, adding that Baricuatro had emphasized that the terminals exist to provide public service rather than generate profit.

“Ang atong existence sa terminal is actually for service, it's not for profit,” Cuizon said.

He explained that collections from previous months form part of the province’s overall income, which can also be used to maintain the facilities.

Terminal fees help cover maintenance, cleanliness, security, peace and order, passenger safety, employee allowances, equipment purchases and other supplies, according to Cuizon.

Passenger surge expected

The suspension comes ahead of the expected increase in passenger arrivals during the holiday travel season, when both terminals typically experience heavier traffic.

Cuizon said the South Bus Terminal handles around 7,000 passengers on weekdays and 11,000 on weekends. At the North Bus Terminal, the usual passenger count is about 2,000 on weekdays and 4,000 on weekends.

During peak travel periods, including Christmas and Holy Week, passenger numbers can double or triple, he said.

Passenger figures from October 29 to 31 last year illustrate the surge during the holiday period.

At the South Bus Terminal, passenger arrivals rose from 10,684 on October 29 to 18,353 the following day, reaching 22,547 on October 31.

At the North Bus Terminal, arrivals increased from 3,869 on October 29 to 6,613 on October 30 and 9,346 on October 31.

To accommodate the expected influx, terminal management has installed additional ventilation and cooling equipment and strengthened janitorial services, Cuizon said.

Ten additional large electric fans have been installed across the two terminals, alongside air-cooling systems. At the CSBT, five new air-conditioning units have also been installed and are already operational. — /FPL (FREEMAN)