My bus. Marissa Fernan, VP for Vis-Min of SM Prime Holdings, accompanies Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya (left) and Transportation Undersecretary Rene Limcaoco to inspect the newly purchased bus that SM plans to operate at the South Road Properties. (Sun.Star Foto/Alex Badayos)
 
THE management of SM Seaside City has applied for a permit to operate a terminal before the Cebu City Government.
 
City Administrator Lucelle Mercado said SM has already submitted their application to the City’s Terminal Accreditation Committee (TAC), which she heads.
 
SM Seaside City is located at the South Road Properties (SRP).
 
Although public utility vehicles are not yet allowed in the SRP, Mercado said they’ve already discussed SM’s application.
 
Inspection
“We have discussed it and some points were raised during the discussion and we decided to conduct an ocular inspection,” she said.
 
Initially, SM management plans to open bus routes, which will serve as a primary mode of transportation in their property at the SRP.
 
This will complement the Bus Rapid Transit route that is also being planned in the area.
 
The inspection, which is scheduled on Monday, will determine where in the mall the terminal will be built and what roads will be opened to public vehicles if authorities decide to allow them at the SRP.
 
The City’s technical staff will also accompany members of TAC during the inspection and are expected to come up with recommendations.
 
Under the City’s policy, the requirements to operate a terminal in the city are the possession of a certificate of accreditation to operate a terminal, a memorandum of agreement between the City and the operator and a recommendation from the Cebu City Zoning Board certifying that the terminal has complied with provisions of the Cebu City Zoning Ordinance.
 
Aside from TAC, an approval from the City Council is also needed for a terminal to operate in the city.