Kamagayan terminal violates city ordinance

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City opposition councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia urged Mayor Tomas Osmeña to stop the operation of the controversial van-for-hire terminal in Barangay Kamagayan because it is illegal.

Garcia, who lodged criminal complaint against the mayor before the Office of the Ombudsman in March 2017, said the continued operation of Kamagayan terminal violates City Ordinance 1958 which regulates the establishment and operation of terminals for public utility jeepneys and V-hire in the city.

“Karon iyahang gibutang diha sa tapad gyud sa University of San Carlos…Siya mismo naghimo sa anang ordinansa niya, siya mismo nag-break karon,”he said.

Osmeña signed CO 1958 in 2003.

Garcia said Osmeña violated the city ordinance because he allowed the operation of the V-hire terminal without certificate of accreditation from the City Council.

In his complaint, Garcia alleged Osmeña and former City treasurer Tessie Camarillo violated the provisions of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for allowing the operation of the Kamagayan terminal.

Since October 2016, the V-hire terminal started operating and it has been giving at least P400,000 per month to the city government.

Garcia admitted that he felt happy when the mayor ordered to close the V-hire terminal but he was disappointed when the latter had a change of heart allowing the operation to continue under new management.

“Nalipay na unta ko nga gitangtang, iyaha na unta ihunong. Unya karon iyaha nasad ibalik.Wala ta’y mahimo ana. Kung sa criminal law pa, the crime has been committed so whether or not tangtangon, ipadayon gyud ang kaso,” he said.

Garcia does not have an update yet on the case that he filed against Osmeña.

He has not received any notice that the Ombudsman has directed the mayor to answer the complaint.

Osmeña told The FREEMAN that the operation of the terminal is not illegal because the fee collected by the Treasurer’s Office is voluntary.

Record shows that there are at least 227 drivers in the Kamagayan terminal who voluntarily give P100 to the city per trip.

“I’m not operating a terminal. Nothing is regulatory. Their parking fees are voluntary. Raymond Garcia is playing politics by sabotaging Gov. Davide’s request to assist commuters from the province because this will not help Gwen’s ambition to be governor,” Osmeña further said.

Last Monday, Osmeña ordered the closure of the terminal, saying he wants to dismantle the hierarchy under the management of former administrator Douglas Labra.

The mayor received reports that Labra allegedly abused his authority by not allowing personnel of Barangay Mayor’s Office (BMO) to park in the terminal. Labra had denied the allegations.

On Tuesday, the mayor had a change of heart when his ally in Liberal Party, Governor Hilario Davide III, asked him not to shut down the Kamagayan terminal as it gives convenience to Cebuanos.

In an interview, Kamagayan BMO head, former barangay councilman Rolando Pilapil said he is honored that the mayor gave him the authority to manage the terminal.

He said he will make sure that every driver and vendor in the terminal will be given equal treatment.

“Kanang  malipay ang tanan nga drivers and tanang tindera labi na sa mga seniors nga naninda dinhi,” Pilapil said.

Under his management, he will not allow tourist and colorum vans to park in the terminal.  — MBG (FREEMAN)