The Baguio City Goverment unveiled the plan for the proposed Baguio City Integrated Terminal, however, the public is still divided on the issue.

Modern design, spacious, and provides shelter for the passengers.

This is the glimpse of the Baguio City Government and Megawide Construction Corporation, the company that built the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, for the proposed Baguio Integrated Terminal Project.

The project is valued at over 1.1 billion pesos.

“We want to propose a design thgat is very Baguio, so we don’t want a one-size-fits-all design for all cities. We want to capture the unique character of the city,” says Jaime Raphael Feliciano, Chief Business Development Officer at Megawide Construction Corporation.

The project will include a ticketing counter, queuing space, and escalators.

In the loading and unloading area, there will be seating for passengers waiting for their ride, spaces for vendors, and more.

It will also include parking spaces for UV Express and jeepney terminals.

But for student Jedi, this is more of a hassle.

It will take her 15 minutes to travel from her boarding house to the UV Express Terminal on Otek Street to catch a ride back to Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija.

According to Jedi Sison, a passenger, “If they move it to Marcos Highway, it will be difficult because I have a lot to pack, and you know how traffic it is with all the tourists and vehicles coming here.”

(Kung malilipat man sa Marcos Highway, mahirap yun kasi marami pa akong pinapack, ganon, and traffic. Alam mo naman na maraming tourist and ssakyan na pumupunta dito.)

UV Express barker Jessie is also worried because if the project pushes through, he might lose his job.

“I earn a little everyday to support my family,” says Jessie Arasa.

(Kumikita rin kahit papaano pang-araw araw, mga suporta sa pamilya.)

Apart from the distance, some passengers might have to take two rides form the Central Business District to the terminal.

But according to the city government, they have a solution for this.

Engr. Bonifacio Dela Peña, City Administrator, mentioned, “The city’s current problem is how to transport people from the intermodal to their residences…that’s part of our program.”

(Problema ngayon ng city yan, how to transport people from the intermodal to their residences? Program natin.)

However, the city government clarified that this is not the final plan.

Since it will be built under a public-private partnership, the plan could still change once it undergoes a swiss challenge, where other companies can present their own proposals.

“Whatever the terms and negotiations were…they [the original proponent] will still be responsible,” says Dela Peña.

The impact of the project on the city’s traffic flow has also been thoroughly studied.

“We reviewed the technical side of it…it’s feasible,” Dela Peña added.

(Nireview muna namin yung technical side niyan e…kaya naman, kaya naman.)

But the public remains divided on the issue.

“For UV Express vehicles, boss…just the buses,” says Rody Iglesias, barker.

(Yung UV Express boss…mga bus lang.)

“It’s a good idea to avoid congestion…they should stay there,” says Joe Alonzo, jeepney driver.

(Maganda yun para ano maiwasan yung…dapat diyan lang sila.)

“It needs to be reconsidered because it’s the people who will struggle,” says Arasa.

(Pag-isipan pa kasi sinong mahihirapan…mga mamamayan.)

The plan will first be approved by the City Development Council before being reviewed by the Baguio City Council.

If approved, it will be subject to negotiations by the P4 Committee and will then be open for a swiss challenge.

If no other company challenges the proposal, construction is expected to begin in 2025.