MMDA, JICA to ease traffic via improved intelligent transport systems

MANILA – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is working with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to improve vehicular traffic in the metropolis through a new project partnership.

In a statement on Thursday, MMDA Chair Romando “Don” Artes said the Capacity Enhancement on Traffic management with Improvement of Intelligent Transportation Systems in Metropolitan Manila (MMITS) seeks to ease traffic congestion, enhance road safety, improve transport efficiency in the region, and promote inclusive mobility.

“Through this renewed partnership and in line with the Bagong Pilipinas Agenda of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., we aim to leverage technology, adopt data-driven solutions, and enhance institutional capacities to address traffic challenges while building a more inclusive, resilient, and future-ready transportation system for the NCR,” Artes said.

The MMITS project, which will last for three years, is one of the initiatives under the five-year Action Plan for Traffic Management, and is the MMDA’s second collaboration with JICA related to traffic management.

“As we embark on this project, we encourage the continued support and active participation of our partners from national and local government agencies, as well as our colleagues from the academe,” he said.

MMDA and JICA first partnered in the recently formulated Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) for Metro Manila.

JICA Philippines Office Senior Representative Keisuke Fukui underscored the agency’s commitment to addressing the traffic situation in the National Capital Region (NCR).

“We are keen to maximize the outputs of the project, and, with our guidance, how much the MMDA will utilize these resources,” Fukui said.

The MMITS seeks to strengthen the MMDA’s institutional capacity in planning and implementing intelligent transport system (ITS) solutions, develop a comprehensive and centralized database to support ITS operations, and formulate an ITS Master Plan tailored to the needs of Metro Manila.

During the event, various representatives from national government agencies, local government units, academe, and other development partners sat down in the first joint coordinating committee meeting to lay down implementation framework, objectives, roles, and to ensure synergy and active participation for the sustainability of the project and achievement of its expected outputs. 

— Raymond Carl Dela Cruz (PNA)

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