Philippines: Metro Cebu Intelligent Transportation System Master Plan Technical Assistance
June 30, 2021
- August 29, 2021
The Grantee invites submissions of qualifications and proposal data (collectively referred to as the “Proposal”) from interested U.S. firms that are qualified on the basis of experience and capability to execute a Technical Assistance (“TA”) related to the proposed development of an Intelligent Transportation System (“ITS”) in the Cebu metropolitan area (“Metro Cebu”). The Proposal submission deadline is August 30, 2021 at 10:00AM Manila Time. The U.S. firm selected will be paid in U.S. dollars from a $686,053 grant to the Grantee from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.
About the Grantee
The Grantee for this TA is the Philippines’ Department of Transportation (“DOTr”), which serves as the primary policy, planning, and implementing entity responsible for the development and regulation of transportation systems in the Philippines.
Project Background
With an estimated population of 2.9 million, Metro Cebu is the second-largest metropolitan area in the Philippines after Metro Manila. The metropolitan area, which encompasses Cebu City and 12 surrounding cities and municipalities, is growing rapidly. This growth has put considerable pressure on the region’s transportation infrastructure, leading to traffic delays and congestion that create inefficiencies and increase the risk of traffic-related accidents.
Recognizing the need to expand public transit options and better align regional transport policy, DOTr announced plans to develop an Integrated Intermodal Transport System (“IITS”) in Metro Cebu, which will integrate several modes of public transportation, including new bus and rail services. The Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (“BRT”) System is expected to become the first operational BRT system in the Philippines. The project, which has received funding support from the World Bank and French Development Agency (“AFD”), includes the construction of dedicated BRT routes and priority lanes along an 8.8-mile corridor, as well as the configuration of relevant traffic management components.
DOTr is also considering plans for rail services that would link Cebu City to Mactan-Cebu International Airport. With progress on these mass transit projects, DOTr is eager to consider plans for a comprehensive ITS solution that would integrate traffic management operations for the entire Metro Cebu area and incorporate new and prospective transit system upgrades under the IITS.
About the Technical Assistance
The proposed TA will assist DOTr in evaluating potential ITS solutions through the development of an ITS master plan for Cebu City and its 12 surrounding local government units (“LGUs”). The TA will evaluate the traffic-related issues facing each of the 13 LGUs in Metro Cebu and recommend traffic control technologies and other ITS solutions for improving the safety and efficiency of regional traffic flows. Traffic issues assessed under the TA may include traffic control, parking, monitoring and enforcement, emergency notification, licensing, and payment systems. The TA will identify and rank solutions to these issues, as well as define the technical platforms, infrastructure upgrades, network services, and other systems needed for Project implementation. The TA will also include the assessment of the current capacity of involved institutions. Knowledge transfer activities for relevant DOTr and/or Metro Cebu representatives will be delivered through meetings, discussions, consultations, lectures, technical workshops, and official visits throughout the TA period. The analysis and recommendations resulting from the TA will form the basis of an ITS master plan to be used by DOTr for prioritizing investments in the near-term (0-3 years), medium-term (3-5 years), and long-term (5-10 years) and seeking the necessary financing and support for Project implementation.
