IN ITS effort to make Iloilo a sustainable and progressive city, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), presented their plans to implement the Low Carbon Urban Transport Systems (LCT) Project during the Route Characterization Activity held at Mandurriao district on Monday, September 5, 2022.

The undertaking is driven toward the possibility of launching electric modernized jeepneys in Iloilo City, as one of the four chosen pilot cities for the implementation.

"As a country, we also have a commitment, so it is not just a transportation issue. We are talking here about our commitment under the Paris agreement on climate change... that by 2030, 75 percent of our GHE or greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced," said Yvonne Palomar-Castro of Smart Electric Mobility for Cities in the Philippines (SEM Cities PH).

The event was attended by several transport cooperative groups, private organizations, and the local government units that expressed their conjoined support for the project, specifically for its development goals toward urban sustainability, livability, and resilience.

"This initiative is also aligned with our plans to make Iloilo City a smart city by 2028. It is nice to know that the private sector and the NGOs are rallying together to achieve a more liveable Iloilo City,” Mayor Jerry Treñas said.

In order to further explore these strategies being implemented, the City Government asked for the cooperation of the public and other stakeholders as the success of this endeavor highly depends on their goal of attaining a sustainable future geared towards technology and innovation.

"This is another milestone for the transport systems of Iloilo City as we encourage more modern, safe, and sustainable modes of transportation," Treñas added. (PR)