Parking fee at south bus terminal reduced from P200 to P150

BUSES and minibuses will pay P150 parking fee instead of P200 at the Cebu South Bus Terminal starting Monday.

The Economic Enterprise Council (EEC) headed by Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale passed on mass motion last month the reduction of the parking fee as requested by the bus and minibus operators.

In an interview, Magpale said the Provincial Government will lose P8 million a year in profit because of the reduction.

“We have to balance between profit and public service,” Magpale said.

She said Holy Week is approaching so the reduced fee must take effect on Monday.

Last month, the Cebu Provincial Bus Operators Association (CPBOA) and Cebu South Mini-Bus Operators Association (CSMBOA) discussed their concern with Magpale.

Julieto Flores, president of the CSMBOA, said they are happy with the development.

Last November, suspended Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia lifted the P5 passenger terminal fee and increased the bus and minibus parking fee from P100 to P200.

The CPBOA and CSMBOA passed a motion for Garcia to reconsider Resolution 8 of the EEC, saying the 100 percent increase of the parking fee is too high.

The motion of the bus operators was tackled by the EEC headed by Magpale since Garcia was suspended last December.

“At least, gihatagan pud og importansya ang atong hangyo (they heard our request),” Flores said.

The operators suggested P150 for buses and P140 for minibuses as parking fee. The EEC decided it will be P150 for both types of vehicles.

Flores said they will invite Magpale on Mar. 12 when they will have their monthly meeting, and thank her.

He said they promised to the Provincial Government that they will not increase the fare as long as the diesel will not reach P50 and above.

The fare implemented for the buses and minibuses is P6 and an additional of P1.20 for each succeeding five kilometers.

Bus operators promised that more minibuses will park in the South Bus Terminal.

“Anyway duna man gyuy profit among gi-compute. Makuhaan lang ang profit mga P8 million pero mo-lower pa na kay modaghan man sila (There still a profit. It’s just that the profit will be reduced by P8 million. But the amount of loss will lessen since more minibuses will now park inside the terminal),” Magpale said.

She said bus operators knew about the financial status of the Province.

Rep. Pablo John Garcia (Cebu, 3rd district) questioned Magpale’s move.

“I thought Magpale said the Capitol was bankrupt. Now she throws away P8 million,” Pablo John said in a text message.

“When Gov. Gwen lifted the terminal fee of passengers, Magpale said namulitika tingali (Politicking, probably). So what’s her purpose for throwing away P8 million?” he said.

The reduction no longer needs the Provincial Board’s approval since the terminal is under the EEC.