PUV terminal project gets Baguio council nod

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — After a 120-day review, the City Council approved the Baguio City Integrated Terminal project in Barangay Dontogan.

The proposed transport hub, to be located within a five-hectare land covered by a usufruct agreement with the Bureau of Animal Industry, will serve provincial buses as well as public utility vehicles such as jeepneys and taxis for local travel.

With the approval, the project moves to the next stage of the public-private partnership process, which includes the comparative challenge where other bidders may submit their proposals to compete with the original proponent.

Among the conditions the City Council removed in the proposal is the clause that allows the proponent to provide in-city transport services at its discretion, the obligation of the city government to assist the proponent in securing permits and the requirement for the city government to create a restricted bank account with at least P20 million in it.

In modifying the proposal, the Council said it wants to ensure that the city government and its stakeholders are protected, consulted, and properly benefited throughout the implementation of the project.