The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper

U.S. funds study for PCG traffic management system

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THE U.S. Trade Developmen­t Agency (USTDA) and the Philippine­s’ Department of Transporta­tion (DOTR) signed a P55-million ($980,000) feasibilit­y study to assess the viability of expanding the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) vessel traffic management system (VTMS).

The new and improved VTMS capabiliti­es will 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 will also make port access more efficient by reducing ship wait times and voyage costs.

Similar to air traffic control, VTMS provides active monitoring and navigation­al informatio­n for maritime vessels, particular­ly in congested ports and waterways. USTDA’S study will 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.

“The USTDA grant will provide the DOTR and PCG with the necessary technical expertise and cutting-edge U.S. solutions to implement the project.

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,” U.S. Ambassador to the Philippine­s Marykay Carlson said.

“VTMS will promote 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 U.S. Embassy as we see the full potential of this system,” DOTR Secretary Jaime Bautista said.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris announced this initiative during her visit to the Philippine­s in November 2022.

“VTMS technology will improve trade, protect the environmen­t, and save lives in the Philippine­s,” USTDA Director Enoh Ebong said in a statement. “USTDA is pleased to partner with the DOTR to expand opportunit­ies for high-quality U.S. infrastruc­ture solutions to benefit the Philippine­s’ overall maritime safety.” (Mindanao Examiner)

 ?? ?? U.S. Ambassador Marykay Carlson (second from right) and Philippine Transporta­tion Secretary Jaime Bautista (center) are joined by Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan (leftmost), Philippine Transporta­tion Undersecre­tary for Maritime Elmer Francisco Sarmiento (second from left), and U.S. Trade and Developmen­t Agency (USTDA) Director of Monitoring and Evaluation Sarah Randolph (rightmost) at the ceremonial signing of a USTDA grant for the expansion of the
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U.S. Ambassador Marykay Carlson (second from right) and Philippine Transporta­tion Secretary Jaime Bautista (center) are joined by Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan (leftmost), Philippine Transporta­tion Undersecre­tary for Maritime Elmer Francisco Sarmiento (second from left), and U.S. Trade and Developmen­t Agency (USTDA) Director of Monitoring and Evaluation Sarah Randolph (rightmost) at the ceremonial signing of a USTDA grant for the expansion of the 3KLOLSSLQH­V¶ YHVVHO WUD௻F PDQDJHPHQW V\VWHP

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