Improving Traffic Problems in The Philippines

The Philippines and the World Bank last week signed agreements for a US$60 million loan and a US$1.3 million equivalent grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) today for the Metro Manila Transport Integration Project (MMURTRIP).

Traffic and related environmental problems have reached serious proportions in Metro Manila, affecting its more than 10 million residents, with vehicles traveling on the average no faster than 15 kph on a weekday along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue. Metro Manilans who often walk, use buses, jeepneys, and tricycles, are the worst affected.The project is expected to improve traffic management, thereby saving travel time for many pedestrians and commuters from the lower income groups, who account for 75 percent of all trips in Metro Manila. A major benefit, too, will be an improvement in the environment and safety of the city. The project will provide good pedestrian interchange facilities, public transport lanes, and will also focus on landscaping and improving the overall urban street environment. The project will also build on the advances the government has made recently in urban transport, for example phasing out leaded gasoline.

"It is my privilege to sign today the agreements for MMURTRIP—my first to sign in my capacity as World Bank Country Director for the Philippines," said the new World Bank Country Director for the Philippines, Robert Vance Pulley, who assumed office in July. "I hope that, in due time, with the diligent implementation of DPWH, MMDA and the City of Marikina, the general riding public will reap maximum benefits from the Project, in terms of travel time savings, safety on the street, and in the case of Marikina residents, a cleaner air to be brought about by less motorized traffic and congestion," he said.

The Project is a unique collaboration among the Department of Public Works (DPWH), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, (MMDA), and the City of Marikina. DPWH is the overall executing agency.

MMURTRIP includes the following 5 components in the 12 cities and 5 municipalities that make up the Metro Manila area:

Traffic Management Improvements along the EDSA, Light Rail Transport (LRT) 2 and 3 and South Luzon Expressway corridors to improve street level collection and dispersal of passengers. MMDA is the implementing agency for this component.

Marikina-Rizal-Pasig (MARIPAS) Access Improvements in the Marikina Valley, including the Marikina Bridge and access road component and the Marcos Highway and Ortigas Avenue Extension. DPWH is the implementing agency for these MARIPAS access improvements.

Secondary Roads Program for 15 road sections, including pavement rehabilitation, drainage and sidewalk improvements, traffic management, and construction of missing links for comprehensive corridor treatment so that there will be better traffic dispersal and lesser congestion in arterial roads. DPWH will be the implementing agency for 10 of the roads while MMDA will implement for the other 5 roads.

Nonmotorised Transport in the City of Marikina under Global Environment Facility funding which will pilot a bikeways system to connect communities with employment centers and LRT stations. The City of Marikina will implement this component.

Institution Building/Technical Assistance to establish and strengthen institutions responsible for future urban transport management in Metro Manila. This is targeted at and will be implemented by the MMDA.

The Global Environment Facility was established to forge international cooperation and finance actions to address four critical threats to the global environment: biodiversity loss, climate change, degradation of international waters, and ozone depletion.