Duterte opens PHL’s first ‘landport’ PITX in Parañaque

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday inaugurated the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), which boasts of world-class facilities fit for its distinction as the country’s first “landport."

Duterte unveiled the marker and toured the facilities of the first integrated and multi-modal terminal in the southwestern part of Metro Manila, serving as a transfer point among provincial buses from Cavite, Batangas, and in-city modes of transportation.

LOOK: the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange where buses to and from Cavite and Batangas will be available @gmanews pic.twitter.com/Cdh4oeR9x0

— Joseph Morong (@Joseph_Morong) November 5, 2018

After checking out the facilities, Duterte said he was "impressed and proud" of what he saw.

"I am impressed. I am proud na ginawa nila itong magandang structure. It will serve the Filipino and that is what is very important to me," he said in his speech.

The President directed the Department of Transportation and PITX operator MWM Terminals to implement the necessary measures to ensure all transport vehicles that will be using the PITX are roadworthy and comply with environmental laws.

"With the Build Build Build program in full swing, I assure our people that the government is exerting all efforts to construct the necessary infrastructure that would sustain our country's continued development," he added.

Previously called the Southwest Integrated Transport System (ITS) during the Aquino administration, PITX was bid out as a PPP project in 2014.

Under the concession agreement, MWM Terminals—a consortium of Megawide Construction Corp. and WM Property Management Inc.—will build and operate PITX for 35 years before transferring it back to the government.

IN PHOTOS:  Airport-like bus terminal in Parañaque features ticketing-system, boarding gates

Located along Coastal Road, the PITX will provide inter-connectivity between different transport services and is expected to help reduce the number of provincial buses plying along EDSA and Taft Avenue in Pasay City.

The PITX terminal building includes three levels consisting of departure bays for buses, jeepneys, and taxis, arrival bays for buses, private vehicle facilities (parking spaces, AUV bays) and connection to the proposed LRT-1 extension project.

The terminal also features a high-tech ticketing system, wherein the discounts for students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities were already computed and incorporated on the ticket. — BM, GMA News