In an effort to combat traffic congestion, the city government of Tacloban has initiated the construction of a new three-story parking facility in the bustling downtown area. The project, which kicked off along Quezon Boulevard, is expected to be completed in four months and aims to provide a solution to the city’s parking challenges.
The first phase of the project, costing PHP15 million, focuses on erecting 10 structural posts at the city pier. This initial stage is crucial as it sets the foundation for the entire structure, which will be built above the sea within the city’s port area. Dionisio De Paz, head of the city engineering office, explained that due to restrictions on land reclamation, the city had to opt for building foundations directly.
The full parking facility, planned to be developed over the next few years, will eventually offer space for approximately 200 standard-sized vehicles. This development is particularly targeted at alleviating parking issues in the downtown area, including Justice Romualdez St., Rizal Avenue, and Quezon Boulevard. The facility will also feature a ground floor terminal for passengers traveling to Samar by motorboat.
The new parking area, located behind the city’s first McDonald’s branch, is a response to the growing demand for parking spaces in Tacloban, a highly urbanized city in Eastern Visayas with a population of 251,881. The city government’s decision to build this facility stems from the inability to expand streets or use them for parking, highlighting the necessity of such a project to manage the city’s traffic and parking needs effectively.