Ayala Land is expected to launch the Taguig Terminal Project – DoTr – this year

REAL ESTATE firm Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI), a subsidiary of Ayala Corp., is likely to commence construction of the Taguig City Integrated Terminal Exchange project within a year, according to the Department of Transportation (DoTr).

“The groundbreaking event will take place this year; we are just finalizing some agreements,” Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista told reporters on August 9.

The project, which has been stalled since 2016, is a multimodal passenger terminal that aims to connect passengers to other systems, such as the North-South Commuter Railway project, city buses and other public utility vehicles, public-private data partnership (PPP). ) Center showed.

The project was awarded to the initiator in 2015 and was initially expected to be operational in 2020, but encountered several problems.

“The project had already been awarded to them (Ayala Land) but experienced delays as the government had to fulfill some conditions precedent,” Mr Bautista said.

According to the PPP Center, the project, with a contract term of 35 years including the construction period, had an estimated cost of P5.2 billion at the time of approval.

The DOTr is finalizing the right-of-way agreement with the Veterans Foundation of the Philippines, Mr. Bautista said.

“We are just finalizing the agreement with the Veterans Foundation of the Philippines as they own part of the land,” he said. “The OSG (Office of the Attorney General) didn’t allow us to buy it from them, so it will just be priority use.”

According to the PPP Center, the private promoter will handle the design, construction and financing of the project, as well as its operation and maintenance.

“The concessionaire may also undertake commercial development and collect revenue generated therefrom,” it added.

Mr. Bautista said the project is expected to improve the transportation system as it is also designed to complement the Southeast Metro Manila Expressway (SEMME/C6) project and other government rail projects. – Ashley Erika O. Jose