Around the world, countries continue the thrust towards smart urban mobility as part of their nation-building journey. As an advocate of driving smart urban mobility in the Philippines, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the largest private toll road developer and operator in Southeast Asia, spearheaded an in-depth dialogue among industry leaders which covered pressing issues and future-forward solutions.

MPTC recently held a multi-stakeholder dialogue, entitled “MoBUILDity: Synergized, Smart, and Sustainable.” Hosted by MPTC and MPT Mobility, the multi-stakeholder dialogue served as a platform for industry leaders to drive the country’s smart urban mobility forward. MPT Mobility is the innovations arm of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), whose aim is to improve the overall Pinoy traveling experience through its tech-forward products and services.

During the dialogue, Transportation Secretary, Jaime J. Bautista, spoke for the department’s commitment to elevate mobility in the road, railway, maritime, and aviation sectors. “In this post-pandemic era, we are taking a sustained approach at promoting mobility for both ease of travel and efficient transport of goods. Transport projects that advocate mobility are not restricted to the road sector,” he said.

Dr. Chin Kian Keong,Chief Engineer of Singapore’s Land Transport Authority, shared how Singapore practices an integrated and holistic approach when it comes to the whole spectrum of transport. “From the need to provide advanced infrastructure, good service, integrated and intelligent transport systems, human management—all these have to work hand-in-hand,” he explained.

Jon Canto, Acting Managing Director of McKinsey & Company Philippines, disclosed that Southeast Asian cities are significantly investing in smart urban mobility due to its proven benefits in fare costs, commute time, distance, noise pollution, carbon emissions, travel experience, and many more. “We need to look around us and see what others have done—maybe successfully or unsuccessfully, and then take that and make sure that it’s grounded in the reality of a particular locality,” he added.

A collaborative effort

Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) President Babes L. Singson acknowledged that the business groups and general public welcome the vision of smart urban mobility. “I think this vision is not only going to be an economic game-changer, but also a social game-changer.”

But just like any significant nationwide initiative, smart urban mobility can only be achieved with a strong collaboration between the public and private sectors. Ma. Sheryl Santos, National Quality and Competitiveness Chief of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), stressed the importance of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in cultivating smart urban mobility. “If we’re measuring productivity, efficiency has to be there,” she said. “Meaning, one has to move from one place to another in less time, with less effort.”

Lize de Beer, Manila Transport Planning Lead or Arup, asserted that collaborative smart mobility strategies should be vision- and outcome-led. “It is important to embrace smart mobility and technology innovation, but only when it helps address specific economic, social, and environmental needs—not just tech for tech’s sake. Necessity breeds innovation.”

“Being a smart city is beyond technology,” said Mayor Arlene Arcillas of Santa Rosa, Laguna. “It provides the best services in empowering the people. It is inclusive, equitable, and sustainable.”

The future of mobility

MPTC President and CEO Rodrigo Franco shared that the future of mobility is ACES—autonomous, connected, electric and shared. This acronym coined by the Center for Automotive Research captures the global movement; and with ACES in place, the transport system will become socially inclusive, environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and integrated, giving Filipinos the power of data in their hands, backed by a strategic and smart infrastructure network.

“There is demand from the public for institutions to provide a better quality of life as they move about and around the metro. We institutions need to show that we care, and that we listen,” he said.

For more information, visit mptmobility.com.ph and follow them on Linkedin.