Tourist buses to augment public utility vehicles

CEBU, Philippines — Two tourist bus liners have agreed to augment the buses at the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) with the anticipated surge of passengers on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said SBM Travel and Tours will field 10 buses while Silverlines has offered two buses. Three other bus companies will check their bus schedules to see if there will be vehicles available.

The buses will be available starting today, October 31, until November 2. Rates will be the same as the rates of air-conditioned passenger buses.

The bus companies pledged support during a meeting with CSBT liners, tourist liners, Land Transportation Office (LTO), and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Garcia said she chose not to borrow buses from local government units as the vehicles should be available when the LGUs need them.

“I decided against that… kinahanglanon baya ni sa mga LGUs because they also have their constituents to ferry,” Garcia said.

Garcia said the “no ticket, no entry” policy will be re-implemented at CSBT for security purposes. The scheme would also decongest the terminal as only those with tickets will be allowed at the waiting areas. Passengers can purchase tickets at the terminal entrance.

“What compounded the problem also, ang mga buses wa na diay ni sila tawo nga mo-issue ug tickets kay ang conductor na ang mo-issue (What compounded the situation is the absence of personnel from bus companies that would issue tickets. The conductors are the ones issuing tickets),” Garcia said.

“I am reimplementing that policy. We are focusing on the reason why the terminal is there. Ang rason ngano naa na nga terminal kay para na sa atong mga pasahero (I am re-implementing that policy. We are focusing on why the terminal is there. It is there for passengers),” Garcia said.

Cebu City

At the Cebu City Hall, Vice Mayor Michael Rama reminded the Cebuanos to remain vigilant during the "Kalag-Kalag."

Rama said he cannot say for certain that the city is safe considering the recent killing of Clarin, Misamis Occidental Mayor David Navarro.

"It is contrary sa gihatag sa police nato," Rama said, referring to the assurance from the police that the city is peaceful and orderly during a special session last Friday.

Navarro was killed two hours after the assurance was made, he said.

"Mao nang niingon ko, unsa man ni? Ingon sila safe, secure, and orderly (What is this? I thought we’re safe, secure, and orderly?)," Rama said.

"Ako nakuyawan ko. Wa tay kalibutan nga naay katalagmang moabot nya kuyaw kaayong katalagman. Dili na nato dapat paaboton dinhi sa Cebu (I’m scared. We don’t know what will happen and that can be frightening. Let’s try not to let it reach Cebu City)," he added.

He encouraged the public to undertake precautionary measures and take simple steps like ensuring their houses are locked when they leave for the cemeteries. It is also important for those leaving their houses to ensure all electrical connections are turned off to avoid fire-related incidents. JMO (FREEMAN)