A VESSEL traffic management system (VTMS) costing about P739 million, or 1.5 billion yen, was recently launched in Cebu as part of ongoing development cooperation between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to boost Philippine maritime safety. “Maritime safety is indispensable to Philippine development. The VTMS technology can help ensure maritime safety along the Mactan Channel, which has one of the busiest maritime traffic in the Philippines, and facilitate movement of people and goods efficiently,” said JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito in a statement released yesterday. “Central Visayas is also a potential growth center… By facilitating safety in its ports and seas, the region can help sustain the country’s economic growth and create jobs in the country,” he added. The VTMS project was initiated after the ferry incident in Talisay, Cebu in 2013 that killed more than 100 people. Under the project, radar stations were built in Talisay, Bantolinao and inter-bridges. A VTMS control center was also installed at the Coast Guard District Central Visayas in Cebu.

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