JICA, NEDA to identify new traffic solutions

New strategies and solutions to the metro’s traffic woes are being drawn up by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA.

“It’s timely to identify new strategies and solutions to the 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 in a statement.

The two agencies are preparing the release of the results of a follow-up study to the Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development for Metro Manila and its Surrounding Areas next month.

“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,” Yamada added.

The Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development for Metro Manila and its Surrounding Areas study was undertaken by JICA and NEDA in 2014 to guide the NEDA Infrastructure Committee in its deliberations on the contents and priorities of a short-term (2014 to 2016) and a medium-term (20172022) transport investment program.

The roadmap covered Metro Manila, Region III (Central Luzon) and Region IV-A (Calabarzon).

JICA said there is an urgent need to explore a new transport system and road networks since traffic has spread to other key business districts including Makati. It said improving traffic management will have significant impact on easing road congestion. Expanding secondary roads and the MRT in the city outskirts will address future demand in suburban areas.

The ongoing workshops and consultations for the follow-up study include 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.

“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,” said Yamada.

During the 3rd Philippines-Japan High-Level Meeting of the Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation held in Tokyo recently, the economic managers of both countries vowed to further streamline their respective approval processes and introduce new measures to fast-track the implementation of bigticket infrastructure projects presented by Manila to Tokyo for possible financing.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said many Japanese firms are motivated to invest in the country’s infrastructure program but are concerned about the speed and quality of implementation.

“I think we have motivated many of them to invest in the infrastructure program,” he said. “In Japan, it’s essentially accelerating the implementation.”