The Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB), in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is working on an urban transport master plan (UTMP) to provide solutions to the worsening traffic congestion in Metro Cebu.
The UTMP is one of the flagship projects identified in the roadmap for Sustainable Urban Development of Metro Cebu.
Outputs
UTMP’s outputs include the transport master plan for Metro Cebu; a list of priority projects for feasibility study, pre-feasibility, and pilot projects; implementation of pre-feasibility study and pilot projects; capacity development of MCDCB and related authorities in coordination with local stakeholders for the planning and implementation of the urban transport plan; and recommendations for the implementation of the project.
These outputs were outlined in the minutes of the meeting (MOM) and records of discussion (RD) with JICA representative Naomichi Murooka, MCDCB Chairman and Gov. Hilario P. Davide III and MCDCB Research Program and Organizational Development Executive Committee chairman Gordon Alan Joseph, signed last year.
After the signing of the MOM and RD, a series of activities was conducted by the JICA study team, with the MCDCB, Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), local government units, and other government agencies. The objective of these activities was to coordinate the requirements and processes for the master plan study.
In the last quarter of 2017, the JICA Study Team technical working committee presented its progress report.
2018 Target
A high-level meeting was conducted last June 20, 2018 attended by officials and Cabinet Secretaries from the Philippine and Japanese Governments, where part of the agenda was a discussion on the inclusion of the fourth Mandaue to Lapu-Lapu link and the Mandaue Coastal Road Project which is part of the five priority projects endorsed and supported by the Province of Cebu, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, DPWH 7, and MCDCB. These projects were identified by the UTMP – JICA Study Team as among the master plan recommendations.
The DOTr, through a letter signed by Undersecretary Ruben S. Reinoso Jr., assured that it will take into account the recommendations in the formulation of its pipeline projects and will continue to pursue measures that will help accelerate the development and competitiveness of Cebu.
Training
Meanwhile, an overseas training in Japan was organized by the JICA Study Team in collaboration with the cities of Yokohama and Kobe to enable stakeholders to see and experience the benefits of a planned and integrated urban and transport system.
An echo seminar/workshop from the Metro Cebu delegates was conducted last August 7, 2018 to share what they have learned from the training in Japan.
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