A 3,200-square-meter bus and jeepney terminal is expected to be operational in Barangay Irawan by May next year.
City assistant engineer Aries Grande, in an interview with Palawan News (PN) Monday, said this structure has the necessary facilities that could further cater to the riding public.
“Actually, ‘yong form niya parang kapareho din ng terminal natin dati. Ang kaibahan lang mas marami siyang other facilities na kelangan doon,” said Grande.
“Iyong isang tinitingnan naming diyan is ‘yong magandang flow and pag-dispatch noong mga sasakyan as compared doon sa dati [sa San Jose] at naka-exclusive ito siya [ng area]. Nakabakod siya all throughout kaya ang papasok diyan ‘yong purpose noon is talagang para makapag-biyahe sila. City Government na ang magma-manage niyan,” he added.
In the list he furnished PN, the project will be comprised of a ticketing office, baggage area, clinic, breastfeeding room, waiting area, male and female toilets with 52 water closets, 12 lavatory, and 18 urinals.
The public transport terminal will also contain an administration office with lounge and pantry, and a bus parking for 28 slots.
Based also on the document containing the details of the project, it was indicated that it has a total budget of P91,027,931.74, expected to be completed by April 14 next year.
Grande said the project was started with a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday afternoon last week.
He said they are looking forward to converting the old public terminal in Brgy. San Jose as the offices of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
“Mga April or May [ito magiging operational]. Iyong dati ang plano kasi doon is i-convert siya into offices ng offices ng LTO and NBI hopefully. So iyan din ang wino-workout din namin na ma-release na ‘yong existing terminal doon and ito na talaga siya ‘yong magiging terminal area natin,” said Grande.
Architect Arstephen G. Gadiano, the executive assistant of City Architecture Office (CAO) said it was him who drafted the final digital design of the public transport terminal after their whole team was done with the concept and further revisions.
Gadiano said the design was actually patterned to the project of the City Government alongside it, which is the Integrated Agricultural Center (IAC).
“Iyong basis naming is ‘yong existing na structure doon, ‘yong Organic Trading Center which is makulay siya and ‘yong bubong niya simple lang para doon sa water collection,” said Gadiano.
Gadiano said the roof was specifically designed with the capacity to collect rainwater that can be used for the facility’s gray water consumption.
He added this public terminal needs less electricity as its design allows it to use the natural light and has proper ventilation.
He also said their design has provided an area for pick-up and drop-off of the passengers with roof covering so that the operations will not be bothered by any change of weather.
“Kung sa turista naman siyempre ‘yong takbo ng mga bus tuluy-tuloy naman, naka-provide tayo sa kanila ng terminal and siyempre may maganda silang waiting area,” said Gadiano.
