By Tony Chavez
A giant transport hub rivaling the size of the PITX is in the works as four agencies forge cooperation to build the project on a 3-hectare GSIS lot along Quezon City's elliptical circle. The quadripartite action directly responds to a Presidential Directive for developing an Intermodal Rail-City Bus Terminal and Depot in the city.
In a meeting attended by DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista, GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso, MMDA Chair Romando Artes, and hosted by Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, the four heads consolidated their agency's commitments towards inking a working agreement to make the project a reality.
Project HUB, the mega infrastructure project's working title, is expected to provide much-needed augmentation to several major transport lines already plying through the area. By 2027, the hub will greatly enhance access to the neighboring Philcoa Station of the MRT-7 when it begins operating from the North Triangle Common Station in North Edsa to San Jose del Monte in Bulacan.
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) will allow the transport hub to sit on its 3-hectare property at the corner of the elliptical road and Commonwealth Avenue.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr), with the help of the World Bank, will plan, finance, and implement the intermodal transport hub, while the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will commit to a full-blown feasibility study covering traffic management and basic engineering design.
The Quezon City government, as the project's host city, shall ease and facilitate the expected permits and other requirements for the project's smooth implementation. Presidential Management Staff Undersecretary Rodolfo Palattao IV was tasked by President Marcos to oversee the execution of the entire program.
GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso said, " Our property in Quezon City is centrally located and accessible, positioned in a location that maximizes connectivity with the city and surrounding regions. The end view of the Project Hub is a world-class intermodal transport hub that is a well-organized, modern facility that streamlines the bus travel experience, focusing on efficiency, passenger comfort, and seamless connectivity with other transport modes, including the MRT-7.”
“The GSIS's unwavering focus is to serve our members and pensioners, ensuring that their needs are met with integrity and excellence, with the best customer experience. Through the Board of Trustees' approval and guidance, the GSIS will continue to support the Project Hub, which has a pivotal role in serving them better. As long as there is provision for the needs of the GSIS members and pensioners, we will affirm our commitment to advancing this sustainable initiative,” added Veloso.
In the interim, while DOTr-led studies and preparatory designs are being done, the GSIS, MMDA, and the Quezon City government will already jump-start the project timeline by providing much-needed additional parking on the GSIS property for the general public. The plan is to prepare some 300 temporary parking slots on the site while waiting for the permanent development.
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