The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), led by its newly appointed General Manager Nicolas D. Torre III, conducted a courtesy visit and consultative meeting with the UP National Center for Transportation Studies (UP NCTS) to discuss priority transportation strategies for Metro Manila.

The MMDA delegation included Engr. Francisco Pesino, Jr., Engr. Danedee Bobadilla, and Atty. Victor Nuñez, reflecting a multi-disciplinary team representing engineering, planning, and operations perspectives. The meeting was hosted by Dr. Jun T. Castro, Director of UP NCTS, and was attended by members of the Center’s Research, Extension, and Professional Staff (REPS) and Research, Extension, and Fellows (REFS).

UP NCTS presented its ongoing technical assistance to MMDA, highlighting research-based policy support, transport systems analysis, and capacity-building initiatives that directly support traffic management and enforcement operations. The presentation also featured UP NCTS-Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Laboratory developed programs, including CREATE and LOCALSIM, which were introduced as ready-to-deploy tools that can already be implemented by MMDA to support traffic data management, analytics, simulation, and evidence-based decision-making.

Discussions focused on strengthening traffic enforcement protocols, leadership development, and the application of analytical tools to assess the impacts of large-scale operational deployments on traffic conditions. The exchange emphasized the importance of integrating operational experience with transport science to enhance metropolitan traffic system performance.

Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to sustained collaboration aimed at advancing safer, smarter, and more efficient mobility across Metro Manila.