Metropolitan Manila Development Authority officials on Monday inspected the Manila International Container Terminal in Tondo, Manila in connection with the closure of a portion of Roxas Boulevard to give way to the repair of the damaged box culvert of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
MMDA Chairman Benjamin Abalos Jr. said he met with officials from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), DPWH, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), and International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) and discussed viable solutions and finding alternate routes for trucks and trailers which will be affected by the road closure.
“One of the possible solutions that we are eyeing is for the container vans to be carried on the barge and will be transported from MICT going to the Cavite Gateway Terminal in Tanza, Cavite,” said Abalos.
“We are studying all options to alleviate the possible traffic it would generate,” he said.
The MMDA chief said the agency has yet to determine if a portion of the southbound direction of Roxas Boulevard fronting HK Sun Plaza will be totally or partially closed to vehicular traffic.
“The structural integrity is at stake. Hence, we are appealing for the public’s understanding of the inconvenience the road closure would cause. This is temporary. The construction is only for three months,” Abalos said.
DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said the Cavite Gateway Terminal will enable efficient transport of container trucks.
The rehabilitation of the damaged Libertad Drainage Main Box Culvert in front of Libertad Pumping Station in Pasay City would require the immediate closure of the southbound portion of Roxas Boulevard.
Approximately 1,000 cargo trucks and trailers per day are traversing the Roxas Boulevard southbound direction alone.
Other officials present during the inspection are DPWH NCR Regional Director Nomer Abel Canlas, PPA General Manager Jay Santiago, and ICTSI Executive Vice President Christian Gonzales.