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Wednesday, February 11, 2004
Firm ‘causes’ delay in repair of terminal
By Elias O. Baquero
OCEANJET’S refusal to vacate its premises at Pier 1 is delaying the completion of the P7-million renovation project of the terminal building.
Cebu Port Authority (CPA) Commissioner Hever Bascon said Oceanjet of Socor Shipping Corp. earlier agreed to transfer to Pier 4, but its owner Victor Lua changed his mind.
Bascon said the fast ferry firm’s contract to operate at Pier 1 had expired, so it should abide by CPA’s decision.
He said CPA offered Oceanjet a 10-year landing contract if it transfers to Pier 4, the area formerly occupied by Waterjet and adjacent to Supercat terminal.
Injunction
At present, Oceanjet continues to operate at Pier 1 reportedly based on a writ of preliminary injunction issued by Judge Rosabella Tormis of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 4.
Bascon said that because of the court injunction, the CPA cannot complete the renovation of Pier I terminal, which includes air-conditioning for the convenience of Mindanao-bound passengers.
Oceanjet’s refusal to transfer may stem from the improvements it introduced at Pier 1 terminal during the time of then general manager Jose Jake Marquez, to the tune of P3.8 million.
But incumbent General Manager Mariano Martinez said the whole thing was illegal since Oceanjet doesn’t have a contract or permit from CPA to undertake the project.
Fees
(The firm has been collecting terminal fees from its passengers since then.)
Meanwhile, Commissioner Tomas Riveral said the CPA wants to place all fast craft vessels in one place at Pier 4.
He said Pier 3 is allocated for vessels bound for Bohol, Leyte, Samar, Mas-bate and Siquijor, so there will be uniformity in docking areas.
This is better, Riveral said, because if a passenger is bound for Mindanao, he will just go to Pier 1. If he is bound for Bohol, he can go directly to Pier 3. If he wants to take fast crafts, he can go directly to Pier 4.
Riveral said every terminal will have facilities such as seats, television sets, stereo system and 24-hour security to ensure passenger safety.
(February 11, 2004 issue)
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