Singapore to assist PH in easing metro traffic

FILE PHOTO/ Flag of Singapore (Photo: Various – The drawing was based from http://app.www.sg/who/42/National-Flag.aspx. Colors from the book: (2001), Public Domain)

MANILA — Singapore will provide assistance to the Philippine government in implementing solutions that will ease the traffic congestion in Metro Manila through the use of modern technology.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) for the establishment of an Intelligent Transport System (ITS) for Metro Manila.

The MOU was signed Thursday between Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and SCE Chief Executive Officer Kong Wy Mun, and was witnessed by Singapore’s Ambassador to the Philippines Kok Li Peng, Centre Director for Manila and Second Secretary of International Enterprise Singapore Darren Lee, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Danilo Lim, and Transportation Undersecretary for Road Transport Thomas Orbos.

Under the MOU, SCE will provide its expertise and experience in the implementation of the ITS which includes recommending suitable traffic management policies to help in its implementation; enforcement of various systems in traffic control, congestion management, travel advisory, surveillance, and incident management, among others, in order to decongest Manila traffic in an effective and efficient manner.

Tugade thanked the Singapore government and SCE for its assistance to the initiatives of the government to develop an ITS to address the traffic situation in Metro Manila and help alleviate the problem of pollution.

“The DOTr, as well as this whole country, recognize and welcome innovation and technology. We embrace technology because we know that technology is the path to development and growth in these modern times,” Tugade said in his speech.

For his part, SCE Chief Executive Officer Wy Mun expressed eagerness on its collaboration with the Philippine government in developing traffic policies that will help resolve traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

“SCE is privileged to partner with the Philippines’ Department of Transport to offer Singapore’s experience and solutions in the areas of traffic management policies and systems.

Through this collaboration, we believe it would be the right direction towards improving traffic conditions in Manila, as well as strengthen ties between our countries,” he said.

The ITS solution will take a comprehensive and holistic approach involving policy alignment, regulation changes, capacity building, engineering know-how build up, including the setting up of a centralized traffic and incident management system to increase operation efficiency and ease traffic conditions.

It shall be composed of a Master Plan Study and Design, Integrated Traffic Management, Congestion Management, Enforcement Management; and Enhancement of Traffic Management.

This will also involve early detection of traffic incidents to reduce impact and mitigate recurring congestions, decrease of traffic delay, reduced fuel costs and environmental pollution; and enhanced safety for road users and provision of a better travelling experience for commuters.

SCE, an agency formed by Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aims to promote international trade, and to link Singapore companies globally.

It also shares Singapore’s expertise in public sector development through partnerships with foreign governments and other multilateral entities. (PNA)