US GRANT TO STUDY EXPANDING PHILIPPINE VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
TO assess the viability of expanding the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) vessel traffic management system (VTMS), the United States government announced the signing of a grant agreement between the US Trade Development Agency (USTDA) and the Department of Transportation (DoTr) for a P55 million ($980,000) feasibility study.
The US Embassy in Manila said the new and improved VTMS capabilities would help the PCG prevent and respond to vessel collisions, environmental incidents and other emergencies by expanding the PCG’s capabilities to monitor maritime traffic.
“The system, which is similar to air traffic control, will also make port access more efficient by reducing ship wait times and voyage costs,” the embassy said, adding that the VTMS provides active monitoring and navigational information for maritime vessels, particularly in congested ports and waterways.
IT said USTDA’s study would evaluate the performance of the PCG’s existing VTMS in the Cebu Strait, assess the potential implementation of the system at up to ten additional locations across the country, and create detailed implementation plans.
US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said the USTDA grant would provide the DoTr and PCG with the necessary technical expertise and cuttingedge US solutions to implement the project.
Carlson was at the ceremonial grant agreement signing held at the DoTr Central Office in Mandaluyong City on March 1, 2024.
“This project will help protect marine ecosystems while improving maritime trade and commerce — two equally important and mutually reinforcing lines of effort to help improve Philippine lives and livelihoods,” Carlson said.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said VTMS would promote the efficient movement of people and goods through the Philippines’ island water corridors.
“It will be a key step that will empower the PCG to level up their maritime security and marine environment protection capabilities. We look forward to continuing our partnerships with the USTDA and the US Embassy as we see the full potential of this system,” Bautista said.
It was in November 2022 when US Vice President Kamala Harris announced this initiative during her visit to the Philippines.
USTDA Director Enoh Ebong also said in a statement that the VTMS technology would improve trade, protect the environment and save lives in the Philippines.
“USTDA is pleased to partner with the DoTr to expand opportunities for high-quality US infrastructure solutions to benefit the Philippines’ overall maritime safety,” Ebong said.