POE THANKS ORBOS FOR SOUTHWEST TERMINAL CLEAN-UP
[POE DININIG NG MMDA, TERMINAL NILINIS]

Senator Grace Poe today offered positive response to the quick action of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager and Officer-in-Charge Thomas Orbos in introducing improvements in the Southwest Integrated Provincial Terminal (SWIPT) in Parañaque City, two weeks after the senator made an unannounced visit (Aug. 23) to the deplorable terminal.

Conducting a follow-through inspection by the senator's office on Sept. 7, Poe noted basic improvements in the terminal, including the replacement of the previous makeshift wooden entry ladder to steel, cleaning up of walkway to and from the terminal, restroom maintenance, collection of earlier piled-up garbage, and planned upgrade of the inoperable waiting area, which has now been labeled "under renovation."

"Alam natin na marami pang kailangang gawin para mapadali at mapabuti ang pang-araw-araw na buhay ng ating mga commuter. Pero nais nating pasalamatan si MMDA GM Orbos sa agarang tugon sa sitwasyon ng Southwest Terminal para pansamantalang ibsan ang kalbaryo ng mga commuter," said Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services.

Orbos acted in response to a call made by Poe, who brought up the matter, among other issues, during the August 25 hearing on the proposed emergency powers to address the worsening traffic crisis.

Poe emphasized that the government is paying P1.2 million in monthly rental fees for the use of the SWIPT, while commuters are awaiting better facilities and services once the terminal is transferred to another site. The SWIPT is only a temporary station while waiting for the completion of a permanent terminal by the Department of Transportation.

"Ang panimulang ito ay inaasahan nating magpapatuloy at higit na mapaiigting para sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan," Poe said.

The next hearing on the emergency powers to address traffic woes is set on Sept. 22 with the attendance of local government heads, transportation officials and stakeholders expected.