The World Bank is collaborating with Appcircus to launch the Philippine Transit App Challenge, an online competition open to all app developers to improve the transport network in the most populous areas of the Philippines.

Traffic congestion continues to be a serious problem in cities like Manila and Cebu, with substantial adverse effects on personal travel time, vehicle operating costs, air quality, public health and business operations.

In response, the Department of Transport and Communications, in partnership with the Metro Manila Development Authority and Cebu City Government, is hosting the first national transport app development competition to find new ways for mobile technology to ease the traffic chaos. The Philippine Transit App Challenge aims to improve route mapping and accessibility, providing real-time updates of traffic incidents, and conditions, and help visitors better navigate the city.

Developers are being encourage to submit apps via the Hack at Home online collaboration platform that enables developers, designers, businesses and creative people to come together to form teams and turn their ideas into functioning apps with the help of expert mentors.

The best apps will be selected by an online poll and a jury of mobile technology specialists, with the winners announced at an event held on 15 October. The winning app will receive a cash prize and the opportunity to present at an awards ceremony held in Barcelona in 2014.