JICA, MMDA sign 3-year cooperation to improve Metro Manila traffic

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed Friday a three-year cooperation deal with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in a bid to improve traffic management in the Philippine capital.

At the MMDA headquarters in Pasig City, JICA Philippines chief representative Takema Sakamoto and MMDA chairman Romando Artes inked the record of discussions for the technical cooperation project (TCP) "Capacity Enhancement on Traffic Management with Improvement of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in Metro Manila."

With this, JICA and MMDA will be cooperating on enhancing traffic management, and promoting safer, faster, and more convenient movement of people and goods in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Under the TCP, both parties seek to improve the road traffic conditions in Metro Manila by strengthening MMDA's capacity in traffic management and utilizing modernized intelligent transportation systems.

JICA said technical assistance will be provided in the enhancement of planning capacity for ITS development, improvement on ITS implementation including procurement of relevant equipment, and the establishment of a traffic data management system.

Sakamoto said, "JICA is pleased and enthusiastic to support MMDA to develop its capacity of traffic management by introducing 'Japan Quality' ITS measures."

The Japanese agency said the collaboration with the MMDA is part of its strategic Official Development Assistance (ODA) plan to transform the transportation system in the Philippines.

Together with the 17 LGU members of the MMDA, the project is seen to further advance the transformation of the road transportation system in the Philippines, in tandem with vigorous policies to promote modal shift, according to JICA.

Based on a 2017 JICA survey, traffic congestion is costing Metro Manila an average P3.5 billion per day and was projected to increase to P5.4 billion per day by 2035 if no intervention will be undertaken. — VDV, GMA Integrated News