Mayor Ondo inaugurates rehabilitated travelers’ lounge

Mayor Ondo Codilla and Fr. Isagani Petillos cut the ceremonial ribbon marking the soft opening of the newly rehabilitated bus terminal travelers' lounge. (Photo by Joseph Levi Sausa)

MAYOR Edward "Ondo" Codilla led the blessing of the reconstructed bus terminal travelers’ lounge on June 26. The facility was rebuilt at a cost of P4,273,334.66 after it was devastated by super typhoon Yolanda 1½ year ago. The terminal itself was rehabilitated ahead for P6,632,608.49. Funds for both projects are locally-sourced.

Target date of completion for the lounge was supposed to be on Sept. 13 but contractor R. Allosa Construction turned over the project more than two months ahead of schedule. Codilla arranged for an early soft-opening before Ormoc’s fiesta celebration in June 28. 

Even the date of the blessing is significant for the mayor as it represents the number eight (2+6=8) which symbolizes prosperity in numerology. Another facility, the food park, which was rehabilitated earlier, was blessed on Mar. 26 upon Codilla’s instruction.

The reconstruction of the lounge entailed replacing the ceiling system, steel beam cover, aluminum type doors, glass windows, aluminum cladding as well as plumbing and sanitary fixtures. It also required tile, masonry, plastering, painting, mechanical and electrical works.
The project restores the facility to its former state as the most modern, cleanest, fully airconditioned bus terminal travelers’ lounge in Region 8. The ground floor serves as lounging area where passengers can wait for their bus. It also has nine ticket booths and two comfort rooms (CR).
The second floor will have a food court, coffee bar, barber shop, Internet shop and office. The two CRs upstairs are also equipped with eight shower cubicles that customers can use for a fee. A P10 terminal fee will be charged per passenger for the facility’s upkeep.

But the terminal’s improvement doesn’t end there. Since its reopening early this month, Ormocanons have noticed changes in the terminal’s operation. As part of a security measure, the GI sheets that fenced the facility during the construction stage have remained with two openings that serve as entrance and exit. The improvised enclosure is temporary though, as it will be replaced by a tastefully-designed fence.

Traffic congestion is solved with the transfer of multicabs at the reclamation in Alegria, half a kilometer away. Stalls will be constructed at the sides inside the terminal each measuring 1x1.5 meter to arrange the vendors. The city government will also hire private security guards to protect travelers from theft.