Magpale says south bus terminal to be upgraded

ACTING Gov. Agnes Magpale said there is no need to transfer the Cebu South Bus Terminal to Minglanilla town or to other places to decongest traffic in Natalio Bacalso Avenue in Cebu City.

She told reporters a foreign investor has expressed interest in the terminal.

“There is an interested investor who is willing to invest in the terminal. The vehicles in the terminal will no longer be crowded for there’s a plan to make it as multi-story building. Rest assured, all these things are properly planned,” she said.

Magpale said Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III will give the specifics of the plan. The governor was due to arrive from his Japan trip last night.

Magpale said the Province is against the terminal transfer due to their concern on the commuters.

“That is why we don’t agree with the proposal because they want to transfer it to Minglanilla town. It requires additional fare, from Minglanilla to Cebu City,” Magpale said.

If the plan pushes through, Magpale said the first floor will be intended for parking while the other floors will be rented out.

“We understand Cebu City Mayor Mike’s (Rama) concern but at the same time, let us not inconvenience our provincial constituents by transferring the terminal to Minglanilla or Talisay. All our commuters are headed to the city,” she said.

Former Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) chairman Winston Garcia, in a press statement, called on Rama and Governor Davide to “think hard” before transferring the Cebu South Bus Terminal from N. Bacalso Avenue.

READ: Magpale weighs in on bus terminal transfer

Garcia, who served as Provincial Board (PB) member from 1995 to 1998, said the terminal was built through the Metro Cebu Development Project with funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

The terminal was built in 1992 and turned over to the province the following year. “The transfer of the terminal will negatively impact on commuters from southern Cebu,” he said.

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