Accessibility to all modes of transportation has always been one of Legazpi’s  advantages. The city has a bustling airport, a vibrant seaport and will soon have a new, modern and high-tech integrated land transport terminal that will serve as a hub to other destinations not only in the province of Albay but elsewhere in the Bicol Region. The new Legazpi City Integrated Transport Terminal will start operations in September. Wow Legazpi cornered Mayor Noel Rosal while inspecting the facility last week. Here’s a transcript of our conversation:

WOW LEGAZPI: How would you describe the response of the people of Legazpi to the new transport terminal?

ROSAL: Very positive. Because this is the first na makakakita ang mga taga-Legazpi at mga karatig-bayan sa Bicol ng isang futuristic terminal. Alam mo naman sa mga barrio, sa mga farflung areas sa province, bibihira ang ganitong klase ng facility. So excited sila. I think this will be another landmark in Legazpi.

WOW LEGAZPI: What are the immediate gains that your people will get from the terminal?

ROSAL: This will add opportunities for livelihood and employment, and the income of our cities coming from the new businesses that will come in can be used to provide other services for the people.

WOW LEGAZPI: What are the long term benefits of this terminal?

ROSAL: Since this is a long-term Build-Operate-and-Transfer, I expect that this will be maintained. I believe that private management is always better than the usual government-managed facilities. May mga ini-introduce silang mga bago at saka nandoon yung sustainability of the project. I expect a very efficient management throughout the 25 years and hopefully we’ll renew this.

WOW LEGAZPI: What was the biggest criticism that you received as the biggest supporter of this project and what was your response to this criticism?

ROSAL: Actually wala naman. Siguro ang criticism eh galing dun sa mga may bahay-bahay diyan. Eh naturally we have to dismantle them through the LKY, of course. Pero sa maniwala o hindi ang ibang tao sa labas ng Legazpi, almost 100 percent of the people welcomed this because this is the first time that we have implemented a BOT here in Legazpi.

WOW LEGAZPI: How big is the economic potential of Legazpi?

ROSAL: Malaki. You must remember that Legazpi is the center of education. It is also the center of trading. And we have the majestic Mayon. Yearly, as a whole P5 billion, kaya.

WOW LEGAZPI: What will be the role of the terminal in harnessing Legazpi’s potential?

ROSAL: That’s a good question. This terminal will beef up the perception of organized government. Lahat ng papasok na tao, anumang klase sila, will enter and exit Legazpi through this terminal. Pagpasok pa lang nila, they will already be impressed with this facility. Masasabi nila, “O, talagang iba ang Legazpi.” There will be discussion of possible investments. Malaki ang magagawa nito in showing the people what kind of governance we have in Legazpi.

WOW LEGAZPI: In your opinion, what do you think is the biggest roadblock to the progress of Bicol in general and Legazpi in particular? What is being done to address these roadblocks?

ROSAL: We are in the so-called Typhoon Belt. Every year we have an average of six typhoons. May mga businessmen na nagsasabi, “Ay, hindi tayo nakakasiguro sa infrastructure diyan.” That same goes for Legazpi, being the premier city. But other than that, we have a lot of advantages. As the center of education and regional offices, ang dami palaging tao sa Legazpi. Ang daytime population namin malaki. Double at night-time. Ang main attraction eh yung Mayon. Yung Butanding is just 40 minutes away.

WOW LEGAZPI: After 2010, what’s next for Mayor Rosal?

ROSAL: I always believe na ang isang tao dapat may expertise sa papasukin niya. I am not really good in legislation although marami ang nagsasabi na I had to go up. But we have a party, and we have a mission here in Legazpi. We will put a formidable team para ipagpatuloy ang ating ginagawa dito sa Legazpi. I’ll just step aside and if my party ever wins, I will again be one of the decision-makers who will continue this program for Legazpi. I think yan ang vibration ng mga tao sa akin. I hope to see someone in Legazpi whom I trust and will surely continue what I have done.

WOW LEGAZPI: Some business people are complaining about this project. What will be the effect of this development to the existing business in the old downtown of Legazpi?

ROSAL: Sa maniwala kayo o sa hindi, nung una ayaw nila ang lugar na ito kasi malayo raw at pangit. Pero because of what happened, ito na ang magiging sentro. We have the convention center here. This Tahao Road and Alternate Road is now the new CBD. Anytime now may mga papasok diyan na offices like call centers; they will be employing about 1,000. Nag-expand yung business district ng Legazpi. Hindi mo na puwedeng sabihin na this is outside the business district. Baka mahatak pa yung mga iba dun sa sentro papunta dito. Maraming mga hindi taga-Legazpi na gustong pumasok because they see the potential. And remember, in every business, human traffic is very important. Eh nandito na lahat ng sasakyan eh. Hawak mo na dito. Lahat ng mga taga-Sorsogon, yung mga aalis papuntang Manila, papuntang Leyte, dito yan dadaan lahat. Even the tourists will go here because we will have here the Pasalubong ng Bayan. I’m sure this will be one of the best investments in Legazpi.

Contributed by Junep Ocampo, PR Consultant for LKY Group of Companies