Follow-up study on Metro Manila transport infra roadmap to finish by November

October 2, 2017

A follow-up study on the transport infrastructure development roadmap for Greater Capital Region (GCR) is set to finish by November this year to help accelerate the Build Build Build program of the present administration and address traffic, JICA Philippines said in a statement Monday,

Said study under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is a follow-up to the roadmap for transport infrastructure development for Metro Manila and its surrounding areas that the Philippine government approved in 2014.

“It’s timely to identify new strategies and solutions to present traffic situation in Metro Manila and surrounding areas as the administration aggressively pushes for transport infrastructure development under the Build Build Build agenda,” said JICA Senior Representative Tetsuya Yamada.

“Together with other government agencies and local government units, the follow-up study aims to come up with urban transport strategies addressing traffic demand in the coming years, improve mobility, identify land use management, and identify reforms in the transport sector.”

During the second of the three-part series of technical workshop held recently, the JICA study team noted the urgent need to explore new transport system and road networks since traffic has spread to other key business districts including Makati. The study team said that improving traffic management will have significant impact in easing road congestion, and expanding secondary roads and MRT in outer city will help address future traffic demand in suburban areas.

The workshops and consultations included stakeholders from NEDA, Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Public Private Partnership Center, as well as Departments of Finance, Environment, Information and Communications, Interior and Local Government, Science and Technology, and housing agencies. The next workshop and final presentation is slated this October.

“With the follow-up study, we hope to contribute to helping spread economic opportunities in areas outside Metro Manila, attract more investments, and promote a better quality of life for all,” added Yamada. DMS