DOTr: Completion of north metro integrated terminal eyed in 2028

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said up to three proposals have been submitted for the planned integrated terminal exchange in northern Metro Manila, which it said could be finished by 2028 as it is "desperately needed."

According to Transportation Secretary Vivencio "Vince" Dizon, the government is looking at duplicating the success of the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) in southern Metro Manila.

"We need more of that. There's gonna be one in Arca South developed by the Ayalas, and we desperately need one in the north, to cover the north. I think we can finish that by 2028," he said during the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) Infrastructure Forum.

"Actually maraming nagpro-propose eh. Mga siguro dalawa o tatlo (Actually, many have submitted proposals. Maybe two or three)," he added, noting that he will be disclosing more information once details are ironed out.

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) last October committed the use of its 3-hectare property in Quezon City as the site of a modern intermodal transport hub that will be bigger than the PITX, following a presidential directive to develop a rail-city bus terminal and depot in the city.

'Punong puno na'

With regard to the PITX, Dizon said the DOTr is now working with the private sector for possible expansion as the facility is already at full capacity.

"When PITX was first conceptualized and it was studied, everybody said it won't work. Everybody said bus companies have their own terminals, walang lilipat diyan (no one will move there), etcetera etcetera, may kaso pa diyan, it's pending in the Supreme Court," he said.

"Guess what, PITX is now very, very successful. In fact, it's full. Punong puno na. (Very full already). That's why we're working with Megawide now and Ayala to hopefully even expand Parañaque Terminal," he added.

Before being rebranded by the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte into the PITX, the project was previously called the Southwest Terminal of the Integrated Transport System (ITS) under the presidency of former President Benigno Simeon "PNoy" Aquino III.

The P2.5-billion public-private partnership (PPP) project was awarded by the then-Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to MWM Terminals, a consortium of Megawide Construction Corp. and WM Property Management Inc. in January 2015. — VDV, GMA Integrated News