Group wants “strategic” terminal for north PUJs

CEBU, Philippines - The National Confederation of Transportworkers’ Union-Central Visayas is pushing for the creation of a strategic terminal for public utility jeepneys after a mall management reportedly refused to accommodate them.

“Nangita mi ron og jeepney terminal for north-bound jeepneys kay ang SM nibalibad man kay wa na gyud silay lugar para terminal,” said NCTU-CV vice president Romeo Armamento.

Armamento said they need a strategic terminal for north and south-bound PUVs where they can load and unload passengers without fear of being apprehended by traffic personnel.

Armamento said that jeepney passengers from midtown and uptown areas as well as those coming from southern part of Cebu City are unloaded at SM City-Cebu. Since passengers from the south are unloaded at the said mall and will travel north, it is best that north-bound jeepneys will also have a terminal at the place.

SM-Cebu currently has a terminal for jeepneys from southern Cebu City and a terminal for north-bound and Mactan Island-bound V-hire.

However, the mall management could not anymore accommodate another terminal for north-bound PUJs.

Armamento said they are now considering an open space near Sungold, just across SM.

 “Mag-negotiate pa mi sa tag iya sa yuta. We only need mga 2,000 square meters,” he said.

Armamento added that the Cebu City government will assist them in the negotiation.

CITOM operation chief Joy Tumulak said that the White Gold terminal is accredited by the city government for north-bound PUJs. However, Armamento said the area is not strategically located.  (FREEMAN)