CEBU CITY – The administrator of the newly-renovated Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) has challenged Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña to file charges in court following Osmena’s threat that he will close down the terminal for lack of a business permit.

CSBT Administrator and Capitol Consultant Byron Garcia said he does not give much weight to Osmeña’s, especially where it concerns the latter’s questioning of the P5 entrance fee charged passengers using the terminal, urging instead that Osmeña sues the terminal management in court.

The newly-renovated terminal is owned by the Provincial Government of Cebu under Governor Gwendolyn Garcia. Garcia and Osmeña have long been considered political foes and have been on opposite sides when it comes to various issues.

Garcia said Capitol has long expected critics to come out in the open especially since the newly-renovated terminal is seen to provide P50 million in additional income to the coffers of the Cebu provincial government.

She said she cannot understand why people would complain when bus passengers using the terminal are now assured of a spacious terminal without fear of being preyed upon by pickpockets because of the presence of security personnel inside the facility.

Osmeña earlier said he plans to shut down the CSBT, located along Natalio Bacalso Ave., as it allegedly does not have a business permit. Osmeña said he would refer the matter to the city attorney, Joseph Bernaldez to determine whether or not the city government can close down the Capitol-run bus terminal.

Acting City Treasurer Ofelia Oliva said ever since she assumed started public service eight years ago, she cannot recall a time when the CSBT has made any tax payment.

The newly renovated terminal has also been the subject of criticism by bus operators plying provincial southern routes, particularly in terms of the increased rates being charged, from P60 to P120 and the amount of time that buses can remain in the loading bay, that is, five minutes.

Nick Villahermosa, who used to be head of the Provincial Bus Operators, said there is also no need for a passenger waiting area because there are only few passengers using the south bus terminal. Passengers are currently charged P5 to use of the waiting lounge.