USTDA supports Cebu smart transportation masterplan 

The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), the Department of Finance (DOF), and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) signed Thursday a grant agreement for the Mactan Cebu Intelligent Transportation System masterplan, according to a report by Philippine News Agency.

In a virtual economic briefing organized by the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC, USTDA acting director Enoh Ebong said the agency will be funding the development of a comprehensive blueprint for deploying smart mobility and traffic management solutions in Cebu.

Under the deal, the USTDA will extend assistance to examine technical, financial, environmental, and other critical aspects for the proposed intelligent transportation in the metropolitan area of Cebu.

The grant amounted to USD686,053 (PHP32.95 million).

Target completion for the masterplan is on Dec. 31 this year.

Ebong added 13 local government units (LGUs) comprising Metro Cebu will be benefiting from this project.

“We are supporting Philippine sustainable recovery with funding for a new transportation project that will help reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility and Cebu metropolitan area,” she said.

Aside from easing traffic jams in Metro Cebu, Ebong said the study also aims to assess how to reduce vehicle emissions and energy consumption, underscoring USTDA’s commitment to supporting climate-smart transportation infrastructure.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said adopting digital technology in the transport system is vital, and USTDA’s grant for the Mactan Cebu Intelligent Transport System is a welcome move.

He added that with this project, the DOTr aims to implement cashless transactions in the fare system and “marrying this with our contact tracing” system.

“The sale of tickets and payment of fares, which was done for many years until we took office, was done manually. Now, we are doing digital. We are doing apps that will allow us to do cashless transactions,” Tugade said.

Meanwhile, the USTDA also announced it will open its office in the US Embassy in Manila later this year.

Ebong said the establishment of the USTDA office in the country reaffirms the agency’s commitment to redouble its efforts in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia.

“This new USTDA office will help us meet the growing demand for our program in (the) Philippines. It will also facilitate the financing and implementation of our infrastructure projects through closer engagement with the Asian Development Bank and other regional financial institutions,” Ebong said.