City creates TWG on low carbon urban transport system

The city government of Baguio created a technical working group to facilitate the United Nations Development Programme – Department of Transportation (UNDP-DOTr) project on low carbon urban transport system (LCUTS).

Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong issued Executive Order No. 47, series of 2022 for the creation of the TWG designating City Engineer Edgar Victorio Olpindo as chairperson and Engr. Januario Borillo as vice chairperson being the chief of the Traffic and Transport management Division of the City Engineering Office.

Fifteen offices, related agencies including the academe and private groups form as members of the TWG with the City Engineering Office’s Traffic and Transport Management Division as the secretariat.

The TWG shall coordinate the planning and implementation of LCUTS project in cognizance of Republic Act No. 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 upholding the rights of the citizens to breathe clean air and protection of the environment.

TWG is tasked to prepare a “sustainable smart urban transport master plan that will give the proper direction of the city in reducing traffic congestion and improving mobility, thereby improving the air quality in the city,” the order reads.

Review of existing plans and documents to harmonize policies shall also be conducted in order to lower carbon footprint by the transport sector.

The TWG is mandated to submit period updates to the mayor and the Land Traffic and Transportation Management Committee before any undertaking of tasks.

Part of the LCUTS being pushed by the national government include the use of electric and hybrid vehicles particularly Euro IV-compliant public utility vehicles (PUV) and environment-friendly modes of transport, such as the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.

In Baguio City, the city government eyes the creation of an intermodal transport system to link roads outside the central business district including the development of multi-level parking buildings in strategic locations to address traffic. – Jessa Mardy P. Samidan