DESPITE the reopening of the One Citilink Terminal in Natalio Bacalso Avenue, several south-bound van-for-hire drivers said they won’t return there without a signal from Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.
Rex Baldonado, vice chairman for Toledo V-Hire Transportation Cooperative (TVTC), said Citilink General Manager Felipe Barrientos told him that they can now return to the terminal following a court-issued temporary restraining order against the closure.
“We received the TRO last Wednesday and Felipe informed us that we can now return to Citilink but we objected to it because the mayor didn’t issue any go signal yet,” Baldonado said.
Drivers were hesitant to return for fear that the Land Transportation Office (LTO) may penalize them for parking at One Citilink Terminal.
“If we go back to the terminal, the LTO may fine us P6,000 for illegal terminal parking, equivalent to our weekly income of P2,000 without any maintenance payments,” Baldonado said.
However, Baldonado said the closure of One Citilink terminal greatly inconvenienced the drivers. “The location is inconvenient, when it rains the area will be flooded and passengers get wet,” he said.
Baldonado said if the mayor approves their return to the terminal, they hope that the city government does its part to clean up the facility.
“We always had problems when it come to cleanliness….toilets are always closed at 10pm,” Baldonado said.
Rama told reporters that he was very pleased with the decision of the drivers. “I will not abandon them,” the mayor said.
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