NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
of tl)f fei'ci rt:irp
23 MAR-2 P4 -42
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AND ALTERNATIVE MODES OF 
TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER MOBILITY OPTIONS TO IMPROVE AIR 
QUALITY, INCREASE EFFICIENCY, REDUCE CONGESTION, AND 
CONTRIBUTE TO POSITIVE HEALTH IMPACTS IN OUR SOCIETY
EXPLANATORY NOTE
One of the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution is the right to a 
balance and healthful ecology. The protection and advancement of this right will 
benefit not only the people of today but will extend to the generations yet unborn.
Transportation maintains to be one of the top challenges in the Philippines over 
the years. This problem has been making the lives of Filipinos even more difficult. This 
critical problem requires an immediate solution that would include ample consideration 
of the environmental effects of the transportation development programs.
This bill seeks to adopt measures that will improve the mobility of the general 
public through the establishment of facilities, infrastructure, plans, and program that 
are safe, collective, efficient, non-congestive, non-pollutive, promoting and 
maintaining a healthy environment and healthy people.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
MARK A. VILLAR
V


Senate
of tljp Secretary
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE 
S. No. 1958
23 MAR-2 P4 -42
IV •
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AND ALTERNATIVE MODES OF 
TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER MOBILITY OPTIONS TO IMPROVE AIR 
QUALITY, INCREASE EFFICIENCY, REDUCE CONGESTION, AND 
CONTRIBUTE TO POSITIVE HEALTH IMPACTS IN OUR SOCIETY
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
1 
Sec 1. Short Title. - This act shall be known as the "Sustainable Transportation
2 
Act of2023"
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - In conformity with the provisions of the Constitution
4 
to promote the general welfare and social justice in all phases of national development,
5 
to protect and advance the right of the Filipino people to a balanced and healthful ecology
6 
in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature, and to conserve and develop the
7 
patrimony of the nation, the State hereby adopts the following policies relative to the
8 
transportation system in our country, whether public or private:
9 
a.) The State shall promote a shift toward a safe, collective, efficient, non-
10 
congestive, non-pollutive, and healthful locomotion and transportation system
11 
that includes non-motorized transport.


1 
b.) The State shall increase mobility options of the general public and promote the
2 
use of alternative modes of transportation such as walking, biking, and the use
3 
of efficient and low emissions mass transportation system.
4 
c.) The State shall properly plan and establish facilities and infrastructures that will
5 
respond to this paradigm shift in the transportation system.
6 
d.) The State shall establish its plans and programs in conformity with the overall
7 
national land-use plan as well as the local comprehensive land use plans.
8 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - The following terms shall have their respective
9 
meanings:
10 
a. "Bicycle"vefevs to a device that a person may ride that is propelled by human
11 
power and has two tandem wheels at least one of which is more than 14
12 
inches in diameter.
13 
b. "Motor vehicle" medius a self-propelled vehicle or any vehicle propelled by
14 
any power other than muscular power. The term does not include an electric
15 
bicycle.
16 
c. "Public transportation" means a shared passenger transportation service
17 
that is available for use by the general public. These include buses, trams,
18 
trains, rapid transit, and ferries.
19 
d. "Walkways" paved paths for pedestrians alongside streets.
20 
e. "Sustainable transport" is any means of transport with low impact on the
21 
environment, accessible, safe, environment-friendly, and affordable. It
22 
includes walking and cycling, transit-oriented development, green vehicles,
23 
carpooling, and building or protecting urban transport systems that are fuel-
24 
efficient, space-saving, and promote healthy lifestyles.
25 
f. "Travel Demand Management' (TDM) means a set of tools to offer people
26 
better travel information and opportunities and help people choose to
27 
reduce their need to travel especially by car.
28 
Sec. 4. Sustainable Transport Action Plan. - The Department of Transportation
29 
(DOTr), in coordination with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and
30 
the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), shall come up with a Sustainable
2


1 
Transport Action Plan which aims to provide a roadmap for a national and local
2 
transportation system to be adhered to at all levels throughout the country. The
3 
Sustainable Transport Action Plan shall include strategies relating to parking, public
4 
transport, cycling, walking, and transport infrastructure, and will set out the actions
5 
required to achieve the mode shift target over a certain period as identified by DOTr and
6 
NEDA.
7 
Sec. 5. Installation of Walkways. - Adequate sidewalk areas must be maintained on
8 
all roads as walkways to allow safe pedestrian passage and for the safe and convenient
9 
use of wheelchairs, strollers, and similar instruments. For primary and secondary roads,
10 
there shall be allotted three (3) meters for the sidewalks. If there is no space allocated
11 
for such and the implementation will prove difficult, in lieu thereof, an elevated footbridge
12 
must be installed. This shall be provided by the Local Government Unit (LGU) concerned
13 
within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act.
14 
Sec. 6. Public Transportation. - The DOTr shall provide guidelines that will promote
15 
a shift towards public transportation as a primary mobility option to the general public,
16 
within twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act. Better public transportation
17 
initiatives shall be studied and implemented in an effort to reduce the impact of the
18 
declining oil economy on our environment and financial markets as well as help reduce
19 
energy costs, pollution, and even urban poverty.
20 
Sec. 7. Commissioning of a "Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System." - The Department
21 
of Transportation (DOTr) shall, within twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act,
22 
come up with a study commissioning the creation of a Bus Rapid Transit System which
23 
will organize 
buses into one efficient long-distance transportation system with
24 
coordinated schedules, rates, routes, and pick-up and drop-off points. The LGU and the
25 
private sector, including but not limited to mall owners and bus companies, can be tapped
26 
to put up or use existing facilities such as parks, parking lots, and bus depots that will
27 
serve as large collective transportation terminals where people can park their cars and
28 
bikes and take the buses to their destinations.
29 
Sec. 8. Establishment of a Water Ferry System. - As much as practicable, the
30 
national agencies and water regulatory bodies in charge of a water body led by the
3


1 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in coordination with the
2 
DOTr, shall explore the establishment of a ferry system in navigable bodies of water
3 
which may be operated by the said authority or bid out to a private contractor. The
4 
possibility of interconnecting said waterways shall also be considered.
5 
Sec. 9. Travel Demand Management Programs. - The DOTr, in coordination with
6 
the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Education (DepEd),
7 
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and one representative each from the civil
8 
society, transport sector, and the youth, shall come up with guidelines on travel
9 
demand management programs that will reduce the volume of cars and motorized
10 
transport in the roads as well as enhance and encourage students and workers to use
11 
the public transport system. These shall include, but are not limited to, the following:
12 
a.) carpool, vanpool, or car-share projects;
13 
b.) congestion pricing measures;
14 
c.) programs to promote telecommuting;
15 
d.) flexible work schedules, or satellite work centers;
16 
e.) transport program for government employees; and
17 
f.) intelligent transportation systems or other operational improvements that
18 
are certified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
19 
(DENR) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
20 
This shall be completed within twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act.
21 
Sec. 10. Designation of Bike Lanes. - A portion of the roadway or highway shall be
22 
designated as "bike lanes" by the LGU having jurisdiction over such roadway or highway,
23 
in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), within six
24 
(6) months from the effectivity of this Act.
25 
The designated bike lanes shall be for the preferential or exclusive use of bicycles. These
26 
bike lanes shall not be obstructed by a parked or standing motor vehicle or other


1 
stationary objects. The bike lanes shall be made identifiable by striping with signing or
2 
striping with pavement markings.
3 
Sec. 11. Provision of Bicycle Parking Spaces and Bike Racks. - Bicycle parking
4 
spaces and bike racks are hereby required to be provided by owners of establishments
5 
that are:
6 
a.) For non-residential use with a gross floor area larger than 7,500 square
7 
feet;
8 
b.) Multiple-family dwellings when 12 or more are provided on a lot;
9 
c.) Public parking lots.
10 
The DOTr shall establish guidelines on the minimum supply of bicycle parking
11 
spaces in buildings and other facilities, taking into consideration the population of the
12 
short-term or long-term dwellers in the area, within six (6) months from the effectivity
13 
of this Act.
14 
Sec. 12. Facilities. - The DOTr, in coordination with the DPWH and the LGUs
15 
concerned, shall carry out an investment program that will encourage a mode shift to
16 
sustainable transport within selected communities by providing safe and convenient
17 
options to bicycle and walk for routine travel, and for other purposes. This shall be
18 
completed within twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act.
19 
Sec. 13. Education and Research Programs. - The DOTr shall conduct studies and
20 
research, and eventually, supply information to the car-owning and riding public as
21 
well as commuters on aspects of sustainable transport that are relatively new. It shall
22 
also provide technical assistance and other resources to government agencies and
23 
the private sector involved in the transport system.
24 
Sec. 14. Financing. - The DOTr, in coordination with the DENR, shall explore the
25 
possibility of accessing a growing range of global environment funds to be able to
26 
assist in the funding of sustainable public transport systems and less polluting energy


1 
supplies. Public-private partnerships shall also be encouraged in the development of
2 
transportation improvements.
3 
Sec. 15. Implementing Agency. - The DOTr shall be the main implementing
4 
agency for this Act.
5 
Sec. 16. Separability Clause. - Should any provision herein be subsequently
6 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity or the legality
7 
of the other provisions not so declared.
8 
Sec. 17. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
9 
rules and regulations, other issuances, and parts thereof, which are inconsistent with
10 
the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed and modified accordingly.
11 
Sec. 18. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication
12 
in at least (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,