Vans start returning to One Citilink Terminal

CEBU, Philippines – Six days after the court ordered the One Citilink Terminal reopened, at least six van-for-hire drivers and operators returned to the terminal yesterday from their temporary terminal at the Cebu South Coastal Road.

The drivers initiated a caravan to make other v-hire drivers, as well as commuters, aware that the One Citilink Terminal has been reopened and is fully operational.

Felipe Barrientos Jr., the manager of One Citilink Terminal, Inc., said 23 v-hire drivers plying the Cebu to Sibonga route were supposed to join the caravan but 17 backed out reportedly for fear of the presence of traffic enforcers.

The caravan, which lasted for one hour and a half, started at Compania Maritima and proceeded to the south coastal road, to Barangay Mambaling, then down to the One Citilink Terminal.

CCTO Executive Director lawyer Rey Gealon said there was no order for traffic personnel to apprehend v-hire drivers who would move back to the terminal.

“This is a free city where democracy and the rule of law reign supreme… V-hire drivers and operators committed to stay at Compania Maritima after they were made to understand that they cannot be forced out to transfer to Citilink,” he said in a text message.

Some CCTO personnel earlier reported that drivers and operators complained after being confused on the “compulsory transfer allegedly pursuant to the court order,” Gealon said.

Two months after it was closed, the terminal resumed operations after the Regional Trial Court granted a writ of preliminary injunction in favor of the terminal management.

Still, Galleon stood firm that the order does not say the drivers can use the terminal again.

“This is farthest from the truth. There was nothing in the order to show that v-hire drivers and operators must return to Citilink. It is best that they decide on their own,” he said.

Mayor Michael Rama ordered the terminal closed following the recommendation of the Terminal Accreditation Committee that it has been operating without a mayor’s permit and for owing the city more than P12 million.

“What I told the v-hire drivers and operators was the truth and nothing but the truth: that the court did not compel them to transfer to Citilink. It is their choice and the city does not intervene in any way what choice they will make. That is the marching order. But please, we must not force them to transfer,” Galleon said further.

Barrientos, for his part, also said the terminal management did not force the drivers to move back to One Citilink.

“Wala mi namugos nga mobalik sila tungod kay ila man nang katungod… but the court order speaks for itself,” he said.

It was on July 28 when a team from the city’s Prevention Restoration Order Beautification Enhancement sealed the terminal’s entrance with metal railings and ropes following Rama’s closure directive.

Barrientos reminded drivers that traffic enforcers can be cited for contempt if they would apprehend drivers.

“Status quo naman ta. Kon dakpon sila, they should determine kon kinsay nidakop nila kay ana man ang lawyer nga i-report kon kinsay mangdakop,” he said. —/JMO (FREEMAN)