Cebu City assures it will rid BRT stations of street dwellers

Local

WITH the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) set to begin its long-awaited dry run this September, Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. is pushing to clear mendicants and street dwellers from stations and bus corridors to ensure smooth operations.

Archival raised the concern during a press conference on Monday, September 1, after reports and photos showed street dwellers occupying CBRT stations that are still under the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) supervision.

“Kita ko ana. These are things nga dili pa sulod nato kay wala pa man ni ma-turn over, so ang responsibility ana naa pa gyud sa DOTr,” he said.

The mayor said he has ordered the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) to step up programs to address the rising number of mendicants, especially with the “Ber” months bringing in more people on the streets.

“Akong gitahasan DSWS ug programa kay nag-anam na raba ka ug kadaghan as per reported karon labi na kay ‘ber’ months na,” Archival said.

He admitted that while the city can designate holding areas for street dwellers, many refuse to stay there.

“Dili sila ganahan ibutang sa usa ka komportable, gusto man sila ug asa sila 'mas komportable',” he explained.

Last week, MyTV Cebu posted images of mendicants resting at the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) and Cebu Normal University (CNU) bus stations around noon on August 28. The stations, still closed to commuters, have also become makeshift parking spaces for motorcycle-for-hire drivers.

One rider, Manly Margallo, assured that they would leave the site once the BRT starts running.

Archival said the Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (PROBE) team has been tasked to identify the mendicants, adding that non-Cebu residents could be provided fare to return home.

“Akong giingnan ang PROBE ganiha nga papangitaon ug paagi ma-identify ni kinsa ni sila kay ug probinsya ni, tagaan ug plete. Pero this is something nga all over the Philippines problema, but usa ni sa atong gitagaan ug focus especially duol na ang Sinulog,” he added.

The mayor acknowledged that the number of mendicants has been steadily increasing, with groups such as Cebu’s Muslim Affairs Office also observing the trend.

“Nagka-observe na ta nga nagkadaghan ang number of mendicants… expecting mas mo-daghan pa ni,” Archival said.

Rescue efforts remain in place, but Archival cautioned that resources are limited.

“Of course naay rescue, but how long can we maintain them? Mao nay usa sa mga gitun-an kay ang budgeting man gud ron mahurot-hurot naman gud,” he explained.

Cebu City continues to enforce City Ordinance 1631, which bans begging and the giving of alms in public areas. Offenders face a P1,000 fine or community service, while repeat violators risk formal complaints.

The city’s Anti-Mendicancy Board implements interventions through rescue, rehabilitation, and temporary shelter programs such as the Pabalhin Program. Officials also urge the public to channel donations to accredited organizations instead of directly to mendicants.

The CBRT’s first dry run is expected this September, deploying 20 interim buses along the new dedicated lanes. The city has pushed for operations to start from the South Road Properties (SRP) to Ayala Center Cebu.

Archival said ensuring order at stations is essential as Cebu takes a major step forward in its P28.78-billion mass transport project.

“This is something we really have to focus on,” he said.(TGP)