Saint Louis University (SLU) hosted a dialogue with Louisian students and Metro Pacific Tollways (MPT) on 26 August 2025, at the Fr. Francis Gevers Hall, SLU Main Campus, in line with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Interim Negotiation Committee of the City Government of Baguio’s commitment to strengthen citizen and youth participation in government processes. The dialogue focused on the proposed Smart Urban Mobility Project (SUM Project), aiming to address the city’s persistent traffic and mobility challenges.
The said dialogue was the final installment in a series of 30 consultations conducted across diverse sectors, such as seniors, women, students, and government employees, with two rounds held specifically for students. Among the attendees were students from the School of Accountancy, Management, Computing and Information Studies (SAMCIS), School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA), School of Nursing, Allied Health and Biological Sciences (SONAHBS), and School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA).
Leo Gonzales, Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Corporate Affairs of MPT Mobility Corporation, presented the SUM Project’s details and its anticipated impact in alleviating four key challenges in the City’s current traffic situation: over-capacity of the road network, fragmented public transport, lack of parking information, and inefficient traffic management and enforcement. Gonzales underscored that enhancing efficiency—ensuring smooth and effective operations—is fundamental to the project’s success. “Fixing Baguio’s mobility is a responsibility of everyone,” he remarked.
Gonzales also stressed the pivotal role of the youth in shaping Baguio’s future, emphasizing that the city council will have the final say on the proposal and that public input is essential.
The session concluded with a question and answer segment, led by Donald Saurombe, AVP for Business Development & Technology at MPT Mobility Corporation, providing an interactive platform for students to voice their questions and feedback.
SLU’s active support and participation in Baguio City’s efforts to engage its youth fosters inclusive sustainable urban development that aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
