Naga welcomes court decision over bus terminal case

(BEFORE: The Central Bus Terminal under FPM Corporation in 2013) When the city regained control of the bus terminal, reforms were immediately introduced, such as free use of clean, renovated comfort rooms, decrease in rentals and other charges, removal of parking fees, rationalization of terminal fees being paid by operators and renovation of facilities. All of these resulted to improved services to the commuting public and to even higher revenues to the city, from P16.4 million in 2013 to P26.1 million net income in 2014 and, in 2018, P29 million.

(In 2014, Central Bus Terminal was rebranded as Bicol Central Station) In 2017, the Bicol Central Station was hailed as one of the finalists in the Galing Pook Awards for being a socially inclusive local economic enterprise.

NAGA CITY --- The City Government of Naga hailed the court’s decision affirming the city’s ownership right to operate and manage the Bicol Central Station (formerly Central Bus Terminal). “Nagpapasalamat kita ta itong pinaka-importanteng parte kan desisyon, which is the main decision, that affirmed not only the ownership, but also the legal right of the owner of the Central Bus Terminal, now called the Bicol Central Station, na iyo ngani an govierno local kan Ciudad nin Naga, igwang diretso na magtake-over. Boot sabion, i-operate ang terminal after the expiration of the management agreement between FPM Corporation,” said Mayor John Bongat. FPM Corporation is owned by running mayoralty candidate Fortunato P. Mendoza.

“So malinaw na maray an desisyon na nagpabor an korte sa govierno local kan Ciudad nin Naga na dae puedeng i-extend an sarong kontrata na nag-lapse na, nag-expire na, sa paagi kan sarong injunctive writ, arong kaniyong injunction,” added Mayor Bongat.

In the dispositive portion of the decision of Regional Trial Court Branch 19, Acting Presiding Judge Erwin Virgilio Ferrer wrote “Wherefore, for failure to prove by preponderance of evidence that FPM Corporation has a material and substantial right that have to be protected by the Court, decision is hereby rendered denying the issuance of Injunction in these cases.”

“Clearly, in its May 6, 2019 Joint Decision the RTC held that ‘it is undisputed that the management contract (extension) was to terminate on December 31, 2013.’ Hence, FPM already lost all the rights granted him under the contract upon its expiration. Kaya baga dae nagpaluwas injunction an RTC laban sa ciudad,” Vice Mayor Nelson Legacion, who is running opposite Mendoza for mayor, elaborated on the court’s decision.

“Sa ginibong take-over kan bus terminal, napakarhay an pagpadalagan kaini sa pamamayo ngonyan ni Nonoy Reforsado. Siring man an dakulang income mas pinapakinabangan kan mga tao bako lang nin sarong negosyante,” Legacion added.

Before the City Government of Naga took over, various complaints were received by the city government regarding dirty comfort rooms, chaotic pay parking, personnel under influence of liquor while on duty, makeshift farm for fighting cocks, monopoly of supplies for bus terminal stallholders and vendors, and poorly managed terminal complex.