By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
MARIKINA CITY — The local government unit (LGU) of Marikina City and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Tuesday (Oct. 7) opened two Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Stops in the city.
Mayor Marjorie Ann “Maan” Teodoro said that the PUV Stops were designed to provide a safe, convenient, and accessible area for Marikina residents.
“We have closely coordinated with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to make this project possible. Our goal is to provide Marikina commuters with safe, convenient, and accessible PUV stops for their daily travels,” Mayor Teodoro said.
The mayor said that the DOTr project set up a total of six Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) stops in Metro Manila, with two located in Marikina City.
“Here in Marikina, two PUV Stops have been established for our commuters- – -one beside Concepcion Elementary School and another near San Roque Elementary School,” she said.“We are very lucky, from the citizens of Marikina, to be one of the LGUs na makatanggap nito. Actually, Marikina is very lucky dahil 2 sa 6 na transport stations ay dito sa Marikina nilagay. This is very sustainable and in line with our program,” she added.
Teodoro noted that the newly built PUV Stops were designed to be inclusive, safe, and sustainable, featuring seating for vulnerable sectors, CCTV cameras, lighting systems, and eco-friendly amenities such as solar panels and bike facilities.
“Each PUV Stop was thoughtfully designed with every commuter in mind. It provides benches for the general public, along with designated seating for persons with disabilities (PWDs), pregnant women, and senior citizens, ensuring that comfort and accessibility remain at the heart of the project,” Teodoro said.
To strengthen security and commuter safety, each stop is equipped with CCTV cameras, Mayor Teodoro said that a reliable lighting system, concrete bollards, and tactile pavers for the visually impaired.
“Beyond these, the PUV Stops also feature accessibility and information components such as PUV route and advertisement panels, as well as PWD-friendly ramps to guide all commuters with ease,” she added.
The mayor also said that the project integrates modern green features, including charging stations, solar panels, a bike repair station, and bike map panels, empowering residents to travel safely, efficiently, and responsibly.
“This is in line with Marikina’s commitment to sustainability and active transport,” she said.
The local chief executive expressed her gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and the DOTr for providing Marikina City with two PUV Stops, saying that the project will greatly benefit commuters by giving them safer and more organized areas to wait for rides.
“First of all, I want to thank ang ating Pangulo dahil alam ko ito ay part ng kanyang programs through DOTR Secretary Lopez at sa lahat ng bumubuo ng DOTr,” she said.
“We are deeply grateful to the DOTr for making this possible and for helping us provide Marikeños with a safer, more convenient, and more comfortable commuting experience every day,” she added.
For his part, DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez Sec Lopez said: “Magagawa lang po namin [ang proyektong] ito sa malapit na pakikipagugnayan sa local government unit sa pangunguna ni Mayor Maan. Talaga pong nagrequest siya ng ganito para sa kanyang mga constituents.”
Mayor Teodoro noted that such initiatives reflect the government’s shared commitment to improving the daily travel experience of the public.
The PUV Stops are also equipped with phone charging stations and bike repair tools. ###
