Go signal to develop Kalibo public transport terminal

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Unitop General Merchandise, Inc. has given the local government of Kalibo the go signal for the establishment of a public transportation terminal in its property in Estancia, Kalibo, Aklan.

The company owns more or less 10,000 square meters property across the Kalibo fire station along Jaime Cardinal L. Sin Avenue (Quezon Avenue).  The property is temporarily being used by multi-cabs going to and from New Washington, Aklan and public jeepneys to Camaligan, Batan, Aklan. 

Unitop operations manager Albert Brito, in his letter to Kalibo mayor William Lachica, said “the ambitious plan which will serve the Aklanons and the many visitors in Kalibo is supported and lauded by the company.”

The proposed terminal targets to consolidate transport terminals in Aklan East side in one location for public utility vehicles plying the towns of New Washington, Balete, Batan, Banga, Libacao and Altavas entering the capital town of Kalibo. 

It is designed to help address the increasing vehicle congestion and provide a safe and convenient movement of persons and goods.

At present, terminals of buses, multi-cabs and jeepneys are located near Crossing Banga-New Washington. Transport associations are using privately-owned properties as their temporary terminals to cater passengers. 

Brito said, “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.”

“In the interest of security of Unitop property, we are planning to enclose and to safeguard the lot property against illegal intruders,” he said.

Brito said the enclosure of Unitop property will not affect the area of the proposed public transportation terminal.

The integrated transport terminal project would be built within a site area of 2,000 square meters which is a strategic location due to its proximity to public and private establishments and government offices.