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United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) will provide a grant for technical assistance aimed at improving mobility and reducing traffic congestion in Metro Cebu
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USTDA’s grant, signed virtually on April 15, involves assistance in developing the master plan for the Metro Cebu Intelligent Transportation System
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The grant entails helping DOTr to evaluate smart mobility solutions for the development of a master plan for Metro Cebu’s 13 local government units
The Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Finance (DOF), and the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) have signed a grant for technical assistance to improve mobility and reduce traffic congestion in Metro Cebu.
USTDA’s grant, signed virtually on April 15, involves assistance in developing the master plan for the Metro Cebu Intelligent Transportation System (MCITS), with the aim to deploy an intelligent transportation system in the Philippines’ second largest metropolitan area.
In a statement, USTDA said the grant involves assisting DOTr to evaluate smart mobility solutions and develop a master plan for Metro Cebu’s 13 local government units. The project is expected to play a critical role in enhancing system-wide transportation infrastructure improvements in Metro Cebu, including a new bus rapid transit system that is currently being developed.
“This project underscores USTDA’s commitment to supporting climate-smart transportation infrastructure solutions,” USTDA acting director Enoh Ebong said.
“Through this partnership with DOTr, we are supporting the adoption of state-of-the-art traffic control technologies that will improve mobility and reduce emissions on Metro Cebu’s roadways,” Ebong added.
In a separate statement, DOTr said with the grant’s signing, the MCITS master plan “will be getting a much-needed boost.” The MCITS aims to establish a transport system that promotes a sustainable community, where seamless access to jobs, schools, necessities, and homes, is easily achieved, DOTr said.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, DOTr said MCITS is also seen as an innovative solution that will enable swift economic recovery by providing an efficient and reliable mass transport system that produces life and time-saving benefits.
The grant was virtually signed by Ebong, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III during a virtual economic briefing hosted by the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC.
