MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday led the inauguration of the country’s first intermodal terminal designed to offer passengers state-of-the-art and convenient terminal experience.
In his speech, Duterte congratulated the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Megawide and Walter Mart (MWM) Terminal Inc. for building the Philippines’ first "landport" in southwestern part of Metro Manila.
“So, I am impressed, I am proud na ginawa nila itong magandang (that they built this beautiful) structure. And it will serve the Filipino and that is what’s very important to me,” Duterte said.
Duterte thanked DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade as well as MWM chairman and CEO Edgar Saavedra and president Manuel Louie Ferrer.
“As the first integrated and multi-modal terminal in the southwestern part of Metro Manila, PITX (Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange) is a landmark project – a 'landport' that feels and functions like an airport,” he said.
Duterte said PITX is one of the three intermodal terminals that will be developed by the government in cooperation with the private sector.
He said PITX will contribute in decongesting traffic in Metro Manila as it will serve as a transfer point between the provincial buses from Cavite, western Batangas, and other in-city modes of transportation.
“This will help ease traffic by limiting provincial buses plying Metro Manila roads, specifically along Roxas Boulevard and the EDSA-Taft area,” Duterte said.
PITX will have world-class facilities like those of an airport such as departure and arrival areas and baggage handling facilities that can accommodate over 100,000 passengers per day.
The PITX has also automated ticketing and bus monitoring systems and multiple terminals for bus, jeepney, UV express, taxis and transport network services.
In line with making the Filipino comfortable, PITX houses modern concourse facilities such as comfortable seating spaces at waiting areas, free Wi-Fi access, drinking water stations, traveler’s workstation areas, charging points, locker facilities, and telephone booths.
A centralized shopping center is also available inside the terminal, featuring a wide variety of retail, food, and supermarket for passenger needs.
Health and wellness amenities are also ready, such as baby care rooms, breastfeeding stations, clinic, prayer room, pay-in lounge, and clean restrooms. Trolleys and wheelchairs are also available for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
All operations and activities are monitored through PITX’s 24-hour CCTV monitoring, along with an advanced 24-hour feedback center for all customers.
Duterte has directed the DOTr and MWM Terminals to implement necessary measures to ensure all transport vehicles that will be using PITX are “roadworthy” that complies with environmental laws and proper documentation.
“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,” Duterte said.
“Together, let us work hard to lay down the physical foundations of a more progressive and prosperous nation so that our countrymen will enjoy at the very least not a rich life, not even a bar lower than that, but at least --- most of them are poor --- but we can assure them of a comfortable --- just a comfortable life,” he added.
After the unveiling of the PITX marker, Tugade and MWM officials toured the President around the world-class terminal.
Aside from Tugade, other Cabinet members present include Public Works and Highway Secretary Mark Villar, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo and Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar. (PNA)
