City Hall orders Citilink closure

Cebu City mayor Michael Rama wants Cebu Citilink terminal be remove near the Cebu City Medical Center because it contributes pollution which can affect patients in the hospital.(CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

Cebu City Hall has ordered the closure of One Citilink Terminal for operating without permits.

In a July 27 closure order which he signed, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama also said the terminal has almost P13 million in unpaid obligations.

“Upon verification made by Terminal Accreditation Committee (TAC) with the Office of the City Treasurer and based on the certification submitted by the latter, it shows that your terminal has been continuously operating without the necessary Final Mayor’s business permit and has unpaid obligation with the City in the amount of P12,802,782.38 as of May 15, 2015,” Rama said in his closure order.

The closure order was addressed to One Citilink Terminal president Albert Lim.

The management of Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) which is located near the terminal along N. Bacalso Ave. has also objected to its continued operation.

Since January 2014, CCMC chief of hospital for medical services Dr. Gloria Duterte has expressed her opposition to the terminal.

Under City Ordinance No. 1958 which regulates the establishment and operation of Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs)and V-Hire Vehicles in the city, terminal operation is prohibited near hospitals unless there is no written objection.

The ordinance also requires terminal operators to pay a portion of their gross income as regulatory fee to the city as well as to secure a business permit for its operation.

“The operation of your terminal has violated the foregoing City Ordinance provisions.

Thus, your continued operation is already illegal,” Rama’s order further stated.

The mayor’s closure order was supported by a March 17 resolution passed by TAC recommending the cessation of operation and closure of Citilink.

The closure order will be implemented by the city’s Prevention Restoration Order Beautification and Enhancement (Probe) team within five days.

Rama has been vocal in wanting to close the terminal. He said earlier that he wants to develop the area wherein the  Citilink and the old building of the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) are located  into  a “wellness, quick response and medical complex.”

The CCMC currently operates in the old Citom premises.

Citilink has been operating since 2003 on a 1.8-hectare lot under a public-private partnership with the city which is covered by a memorandum of agreement.