Through the partnership with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will kickstart the Capacity Enhancement on Traffic Management with Improvement of Intelligent Transportation Systems in Metropolitan Manila (MMITS), one of the key initiatives identified under the 5-Year Action Plan for Traffic Management.
The MMITS Project, which will last for three years, is expected to contribute significantly to easing traffic congestion, enhancing road safety, improving overall transport efficiency in the region, and promoting inclusive mobility.
In his welcome remarks, MMDA Chairman Don Artes thanked JICA for the MMITS Project which marks the agency’s second collaboration with them in terms of traffic management. MMDA and JICA first partnered in the recently formulated Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) for Metro Manila.
“Through this renewed partnership and in line with 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.
“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.”
“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. Your collaboration and insights will be essential as we work together to ensure the successful implementation and long-term sustainability of this initiative,” the MMDA chief added.
JICA Philippines Office Senior Representative Keisuke Fukui thanked the MMDA, through the leadership of Artes, as well as partner agencies, for their strong commitment in addressing the traffic situation in the NCR.
“We are keen to maximize the outputs of the project, and, with our guidance, how much the MMDA will utilize these resources.”
“We are keen to maximize the outputs of the project, and, with our guidance, how much the MMDA will utilize these resources,” Fukui said.
MMDA General Manager Procopio Lipana said the meeting reaffirmed the importance of a whole-of-society collaboration in addressing the traffic management challenges faced by the metropolis.
“With the continued support of JICA, under the leadership of MMDA’s Traffic Engineering Center and Management Information System Staff, and with active participation of all our stakeholders, I am confident that this project will spark smarter, more sustainable, and more efficient mobility solutions for Metro Manila.
“Aligned with the Bagong Pilipinas agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., let us build on today’s momentum as we work together to realize the vision of a modern, intelligent, and resilient transport system for Metro Manila, one that will benefit not only the present generation but also the generations to come,” Lipana 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.
Various stakeholders from national government agencies (NGAs), local government units (LGUs), 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 active participation for the sustainability of the project and achievement of the expected outputs.
