By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
KALIBO, Aklan — Unitop General Merchandise, Inc. has given the municipal government here the go-signal to build an integrated public transport terminal on its property in Barangay Estancia.
“The ambitious plan, which will serve the Aklanons and many visitors in Kalibo, is supported and lauded by the company,” Unitop operations manager Albert Brito said in a letter to Mayor William Lachica.
Unitop owns more or less 10,000 square meters of property across the fire station along Jaime Cardinal L. Sin Avenue, or Quezon Avenue.
Multi-cabs plying to and from New Washington town and public jeepneys to and from Barangay Camaligan, Batan, temporarily use the property as terminal.
The proposed terminal aims to have one place for public utility vehicles to and from New Washington, Balete, Batan, Banga, Libacao, and Altavas.
It also aims to help address the increasing vehicle congestion and provide a safe and convenient transport of people and goods.
Currently, terminals of buses, multi-cabs and jeepneys are near Crossing Banga–New Washington.
Transport associations use privately owned properties as their temporary terminals to cater to passengers.
“Unitop welcomes the plan of the local government of Kalibo to utilize the property as public transportation terminal even pending the execution of a formal agreement between them,” Brito said.
“We are planning to enclose and safeguard the lot against illegal intruders,” he added.
The terminal project will be built within a 2,000-square meter area near business establishments and government offices. (Aklan Forum Journal/PN)