'One terminal policy' to be strictly implemented

Monday, February 13, 2012

THE Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (Dcott), with the assistance of the Philippine National Police (PNP), will strictly implement the “one terminal policy.”

This developed after finding out that only six out of 10 buses of Island City Express are actually paying terminal fees with the city.

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Maribeth Lumactod, acting chief of Dcott, told Sun.Star Davao that after learning about the report, they immediately called the attention of the bus company's management about the misdoings of some of their drivers.

Lumactod said the study, which was conducted sometime in May or June, was commissioned by Dcott after receiving some reports that some Island City Express bus drivers are not actually passing through the terminal, leaving some passengers waiting for hours.

"Karon, manakop na jud mi, kabalo na pud na sila na dili na jud na sila pwedi mag stand-by sa (We will really apprehend them if we catch them violating the order and if we will find them staying at the) Magsaysay Park to pick up passengers," Lumactod said.

It was learned that passenger buses pay a P50 terminal fee each every time they drop by Dcott prior to leaving for their respective destinations.

Several years ago, Lumactod said, the owner of the bus company has requested to put up a waiting station inside a grocery store in Agdao, this city, which the city granted for quite sometime.

The waiting area was later abolished after the city implemented the “one terminal policy” in 2006, obliging all the buses to go all the way to Dcott terminal along Candelaria Street before going for another trip to Island Garden City of Samal.

Jimmy Uy, manager of Holiday Bus and Island City Express, said they will consult their top officials regarding the matter.

After the meeting, Lumactod said the bus company did not see them again.
She said Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio has strictly ordered that all buses coming in and out of the city must pass through Dcott before heading to their respective destinations.

When asked on the possible sanctions that Island City Express will face, Lumactod refused to give details. (Jereco O. Paloma)