THE City Government of Davao and a renowned Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation software app will be partnering for a program that will help address the city's traffic situation, report road accidents, and other road-related incidents with the help of the motorists themselves.
Councilor Jessica Bonguyan, committee chairperson on information and communications technology, said the city will be launching the Waze Connected Citizens Program app next year.
She said the program will be in partnership with Waze in providing turn-by-turn navigation information and user-submitted travel times and route details.
Bonguyan said Waze will be partnering with different city government offices such as Davao City Central 911 and City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO).
She said the partnership program was already passed as an ordinance and a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the city and Waze has yet to commence, which was delayed due to the current Covid-19 pandemic.
The councilor emphasized the importance of the partnership as helping motorists in looking for the fastest routes and less-congested traffic areas.
She said the partnership will also be vital in responding to emergency situations.
"Ang naka-gwapo ani, since partner nato ang 911 and ang CTTMO, they can post [in the app] what is happening on the road. So maka-post sila didtoa na this area is closed due to ongoing constructions, or vehicular accidents (Since the program will be partnering with 911 and CTTMO, motorists and app-users can post what is happening on the road. They can post areas closed due to ongoing constructions, or vehicular accidents)," Bonguyan said.
The councilor added that users can also post real-time updates in a particular area, specifically the roads, landmarks, house numbers, etc.
"Ang naka-nindot pud sa Connected Citizen Program is that pwede mu-apil sa notification. Ilabi na sa atong 911 responders, if ever naay mga vehicular accident, kabalo sila asa ang exact location aron maka-respond sila (What makes Connected Citizen Program beneficial is that people will be notified, particularly our 911 responders, on the exact area of a vehicular accident. They would know the exact location where they will be responding)," she said.
Bonguyan said they are projecting the program to be implemented within the first half of 2021.