The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) yesterday signed a three-year technical cooperation project (TCP) that will help fast-track the implementation of the country’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.
This developed as the DOTr also bared plans to undertake a solicited bidding for the country’s first cable car project that will be deployed initially in Antipolo City.
Under the three-year project between the DOTr and JICA, the latter will help the former address the issues in the implementation of the PUV modernization such as the route rationalization, acquisition of modern vehicles, financing and the disposal of old jeepneys.
“We have to address these issues… we are happy that JICA is offering their assistance,” said
DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista in an interview on the sidelines of the signing of the records of discussion for the TCP.
The TCP for capacity development of PUVs in Metro Manila and adjoining areas will serve as an important reference to strengthen road-based public transport management capacities through effective route planning, improvement of PUV stops and intermodal hubs, and service level monitoring plans.
“This project is not just a plan on paper – it represents the culmination of a series of technical discussions and collaborative efforts between DOTr and JICA. Our focus with this cooperation project is clear: to improve road transport systems in Metro Manila and surrounding regions,” Bautista said.
The TCP will not only improve road-based public transport projects but will also serve as an important reference for future public road transport projects, supporting the growing number of commuters and addressing the ever-increasing demand for better transportation solutions.
Following the April 30 deadline for the PUV consolidation, over 153,000 or 80 percent of the 191,730 PUVs have joined the consolidation.
The DOTr and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board are working with local government units to rationalize the transport routes.
The Local Public Transport Route Plan details the route network, mode and required number of PUVs per mode for delivering land transport service, which shall be the minimum requirement prescribed for the issuance of PUV franchises.
In the same interview, Bautista said the DOTr is looking at solicited bids for the cable project, which is expected to start once the feasibility study is completed.
The DOTr is currently working with its transaction advisor for the feasibility study which is expected to be completed in one year.
“We want to be sure that this is investment grade,” Bautista said.
The operation of the Antipolo Cable Car project is set to start in 2028, according to the DOTr.
The project will connect the Taytay station of the Metro Rail Transit line 4 to Antipolo City
The Asian Development Bank funded the cable car project’s pre-feasibility study that was finished earlier this year.
The next step is the detailed feasibility study which the ADB is also financing, the DOTr said.
The detailed feasibility study, which will determine the project cost and its passenger capacity, is expected to commence in 2025, while the project bidding will likely take place in 2026.
