San Juan City: Sweden has granted the Department of Transportation (DOTr) a SEK3 million (approximately PHP16.35 million) fund to continue the feasibility study for the EDSA Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. The grant agreement was formalized at the DOTr office by key representatives, including DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Jesus Ortega, DOTr Planning and Project Development Director Felicisimo Pangilinan, Swedish State Secretary for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Diana Janse, and Swedfund Project Accelerator Acting Director Anna ‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¾lgevik.

According to Philippines News Agency, Undersecretary Ortega highlighted that the grant would facilitate a one-year extension of the EDSA Busway feasibility study. “In the initial stage of the study, we found that there are still some things to be looked at and assessed. But the feasibility study was ending so we had to extend. We had to do some work and analysis that hasn’t been done yet,” said Ortega.

In addition to financial support, Sweden will provide technical assistance, which includes detailed engineering designs, advice on the planned public-private partnership (PPP) for the EDSA Busway, as well as sustainable energy solutions, capacity-building, and training for DOTr staff. Ortega emphasized that this extension underscores a shared commitment to enhancing the public transport system, combining Swedish expertise with local dedication.

Janse reiterated Sweden’s commitment to supporting the Philippines’ sustainable development goals, noting the significant impact of efficient public transportation on urban development and economic growth. Algevik added that this new grant builds on previous support, with Sweden having already contributed around SEK10 million (PHP54.5 million) to the EDSA Busway development since 2018.

Swedfund, Sweden’s development finance institution, and Team Sweden, which includes the Embassy of Sweden in the Philippines, Business Sweden, and Swedish companies in the transport sector, are collaborating on this project. Their goal is to provide efficient and inclusive transportation solutions that benefit both people and the planet.