MCDCB, JICA at Work for a Mass Transport System
The Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB), in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is working on an Urban Transport Masterplan (UTMP) for Metro Cebu.
The UTMP is one of the flagship projects identified in the Roadmap for Sustainable Urban Development of Metro Cebu.
This project is aimed at providing solutions to the continuing problem of traffic congestion.
Outputs
Identified as UTMP’s outputs are the transport masterplan 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 Mr. Naomichi Murooka, MCDCB Chairman and Cebu Provincial Governor Hilario P. Davide III and MCDCB Research Program and Organizational Development Executive Committee chairman Mr. Gordon Alan Joseph, signed last year.
Subsequent to the signing of the MOM and RD, a series of activities were conducted by the JICA Study Team, with the MCDCB, Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Local Government Units (LGUs) and other government agencies with the objective of coordinating the requirements and processes for the masterplan 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 Government, where part of the agenda is a discussion on the inclusion of the fourth (4th) Mandaue-Lapu Lapu link and the Mandaue Coastal Road Project which is part of the 5 priority projects endorsed and supported by the Province of Cebu, Mandaue City, Lapu Lapu City, DPWH 7 and MCDCB. These 5 priority projects were identified by the UTMP – JICA Study Team as among the masterplan recommendations.
The DOTr, through a letter signed by Undersecretary Ruben S. Reinoso Jr., assured that the agency 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.
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 will be conducted this August 7, 2018 at the Mandaue City Session Hall to share what they have learned from the training in Japan.
The Urban Transport Master Plan Study for Metro Cebu currently undertaken by JICA in coordination with MCDCB and DOTr is the second study that covers land use and transportation plan for Metropolitan Cebu.
The first study was conducted in the late 70s, referred to as the Metro Cebu Land Use and Transport Study (MCLUTS), which connected 10 LGUs only during that period (Lapu-Lapu City, Cordova, Compostela, Liloan, Consolacion, Manadue City, Cebu City, Talisay, Minglanilla and Naga). The MCLUTS recommendations were meant to outline projects for implementation from 1980-2000. This current study is based on the Mega Cebu vision 2050 of a wholesome, advanced, vibrant, equitable, and sustainable Cebu.
