Guv Gwen eyes putting integrated bus terminal in SRP

AN INTEGRATED bus terminal for the north and south would be constructed on a 2.5-hectare lot at the South Road Properties (SRP) by the Cebu Provincial Government.This is the plan of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia if the 93-1 land swap negotiation between the Capitol and the Cebu City Government would push through.The SRP lot is just one of the lots that the Cebu City Government is eyeing to offer to the Provincial Government in exchange for the latter’s 93-1 lots.Garcia said the Capitol still has to determine the value of these Cebu City lots, and it is still discussing with its counterpart about the compensation it will get.Capitol manages two bus terminals—the Cebu North Bus Terminal and Cebu South Bus Terminal. Both bus depots are located within Cebu City.If the 2.5-hectare lot would be part of the land swap deal, Garcia also considered placing a jeepney terminal and a sea ferry terminal.Garcia said the integrated passenger terminal would ease the traffic along N. Bacalso Avenue and give comfort to the commuting public.To recall, the 93-1 land swap deal was previously signed by former mayor Tomas Osmeña and former governor and now Vice Gov. Hilario “Junjun” Davide III in August 2018, but the deal was voided after the Commission on Audit found that the two local government units made it without prior consent from state auditors.After Osmeña was defeated by the late Cebu City mayor Edgardo Labella in the May 2019 election, the deed of donation and acceptance of the properties involved in the deal was not implemented due to legal issues.Around 5,000 families have been occupying the controversial 93-1 lots for more than 30 years already.