LAOAG CITY – To ease traffic congestion, a transport hub and parking building are being eyed to be constructed in around one-hectare government lot located near the Provincial Engineering Office in Barangay 7-B here.
Worth PHP380 million, the proposed project will be funded by the Department of Transportation, through the initiative of Secretary Arthur Tugade in cooperation with the provincial government of Ilocos Norte, led by Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc.
Executive Director Cipriano “Perry” Martinez of the Metro Ilocos Norte Council (MINC) said Thursday the transport hub and parking building will serve as an intermodal central terminal to house multi-level platforms.
“The hub aims to ease traffic congestion in the city by providing interconnectivity of public utility jeepneys, buses, taxis, vans, and tricycles,” said Martinez, as he reported that the hub is also envisioned as a transfer point for the commuting public who are going in and out of the province.
The final design of the project, however, is still in progress as the proposed site is prone to flooding.
To facilitate the downloading of funds, the DOTr, represented by Tugade, and the provincial government, represented by the governor, signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Wednesday while the DOTr secretary was visiting the newly-upgraded international seaport of Currimao which will soon open to international ships again.
“This is an indication that the Department of Transportation is giving much importance to the province. I want to uplift the local economy here,” said Tugade during the signing of the MOA on Wednesday afternoon.
For his part, Manotoc said the construction of the transport hub will benefit the riding public for a more convenient and comfortable land travel experience.
To date, public transport terminals are scattered around the city, with some even using half-lanes of narrow streets as parking lanes that contribute to traffic congestion during rush hour. (PNA)
