It’s all systems go for the construction of a PHP500-million transportation and parking terminal hub meant to make this city more liveable and less hassle to traffic, according to the Metro Ilocos Norte Council (MINC).
Backing this move, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP or Provincial Board) unanimously approved on Monday Draft Provincial Resolution 2022-06-509. It adopts the supplemental provincial development program 2018-2022, including this year’s annual investment program that includes the increased funding worth PHP500 million for the construction of the hub.
MINC project head Althea Nicolette Pilar said Monday that the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) initial budget of PHP380 million is being used for the project.
“The final schedule for the groundbreaking will be announced by the governor. But as of now, we are still preparing some needed documents,” she said.
To ease traffic congestion in downtown Laoag, particularly during rush hour, the Ilocos Norte government and the DOTr have partnered to construct the transport hub located on one-hectare government property near the Provincial Engineering Office in Barangay 7-B here.
The project will be an intermodal central terminal to house multilevel platforms.
It will also become a transfer point for commuters going in and out of the province.
Other ongoing infrastructure projects in the province are the so-called "Big 3 Projects,” composed of the provincial capitol expansion, the reconstruction of Dap-ayan Center, and the rehabilitation of the Marcos Stadium.
Set to be completed this year, the "Big 3" features green infrastructure such as a wind tower, sun breakers, solar-powered vent fans, a green roof, a rainwater harvesting facility, an irrigation system on the exterior building, a vertical garden, a hydraulic ram water pump that does not require electricity and water cisterns.
Source: Philippines News Agency
