Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A-RENT-A-BIKE PROGRAM IN EVERY CITY AND 
MUNICIPALITY ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The State provides that it shall systematically integrate sound 
environmental considerations and the principle of sustainable development 
into its policy formulation and development programs. To this effect, 
legislation such as the Republic Act No. 9729 otherwise known as the Climate 
Change Act of 2009 has been enacted as well as the Clean Air Act (RA 8749) 
and Environmental Awareness and Education Act (RA 9512). 
However, these laws are sound and comprehensive, a Country 
Environmental Analysis conducted by the World Bank revealed that the 
country’s weak implementation can benefit from strategically devolving 
policies and programs to the local levels of government1.   
One of the major environmental concerns that need to be addressed in 
the country is the high volume of vehicular emissions which has been the 
major source of air pollution, especially in highly urbanized areas like Metro 
Manila which contributes to 90% of the vehicle emissions in the Philippines2. 
More than its toll on the environment, vehicular emissions have also 
posed alarming health issues for people. In 2019, the World Health 
Organization (WHO) ranked the Philippines third in air pollution deaths with 
45.3 deaths per 100,000 individuals3, which translates to 120,000 Filipinos 
1 World Bank Blogs. 2009 https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/3178 
Accessed on November 28, 2022 
2  https://wheels.ph/news/2019/05/30/6220/90-of-ph-vehicle-emissions-come-from-
metro-manila/ Accessed on November 28, 2022 
3  https://aethaer.com/news/philippines-ranks-third-air-pollution-deaths-heres-what-
January 23, 2023
2:41 pm
6834


dead every year.  
 
Although legislators have made several efforts to promote environment-
friendly bills in the form of pushing for equal rights of bikers with other 
motorists and introducing bike lanes on major roads, the State has not yet 
made a radical move to strengthen its policies in favor of cleaner and safer air 
and better commuting modes for Filipinos.   
 
Commuting to work has been the main reason for the high volume of 
vehicles in major cities nationwide and this has cost not only the environment 
but also people’s time as well as resources with the lengthy and expensive 
commute. 
 
 
 
An alternative transport mode that can be truly considered zero-
emission is cycling, which could also play an important part in reducing the 
climate impact of mobility which currently accounts for 16% of all greenhouse 
gas emissions4. Cycling can also serve as a solution to the perpetual issue of 
traffic and the horrors of public modes of transportation in the country. 
 
 
This bill seeks to contribute to possible solutions to the looming 
atmospheric pollution in highly urbanized areas and megacities in the country 
by establishing a rent-a-bike system in every city and municipality nationwide. 
Further, it seeks to provide safe, efficient, and environment-friendly 
transportation alternatives to commuters who brave the roads on a daily basis 
from their home to their workplaces.  
 
With the rent-a-bike program in every LGU supported by the 
government, commuters will have healthier options for commuting without 
the need to purchase their own bicycles whilst maintaining healthy air for 
Filipinos. 
 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is urgently sought. 
 
 
REP. PM VARGAS   
 
Fifth District, Quezon City 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
needs-be-done  Accessed on November 28, 2022 
4  World Bank Blogs. 2020 https://blogs.worldbank.org/transport/bicycles-can-help-us-
move-through-pandemic-and-toward-better-future Accessed on November 28, 2022 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A-RENT-A-BIKE PROGRAM IN EVERY CITY AND 
MUNICIPALITY ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Rent-a-Bike Act” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to pursue economic growth consistent with its obligation to protect and 
promote the people’s right to health and instill health consciousness among 
them while maintaining a clean and healthy environment for its people.  
Pursuant thereto, it shall endeavor to promote and encourage among its 
citizens an alternative mode of transportation mechanism that shall have 
long-term positive environmental and health impact.   
SECTION 3. Definition. – As used in this Act, the term “rent-a-bike” shall 
refer to a system of bicycle rental in a city or municipality where members of 
the community can rent a bicycle on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis to use 
as their mode of transportation for work, school or leisure purposes. 
SECTION 
4. 
Establishment 
of 
Rent-a-Bike 
in 
every 
city 
and 
municipality. –  Every municipality and city shall establish a rent-a-bike 
mechanism that shall make available bicycles for rent to all commuters within 
their locality.  
6834


SECTION 5. Objectives of Rent-a-Bike Services – The Rent-a-Bike Services 
shall ensure that: 
 
1. Renters in the community can avail of bicycle rental on a daily, 
weekly, or monthly basis for transportation for work, school, or 
leisure purposes. 
2. Bicycles for rent are well-maintained in running condition and 
equipped with basic safety features. 
3. Renters shall be provided with complete safety gear with every 
bicycle rented. 
 
SECTION 6. Implementing Agency. – The Rent-a-Bike services shall be 
implemented by the city or municipality of the local government unit in 
partnership with the Department of Transportation (DoTr).  
 
The DoTr shall design the framework for the bicycle rental services which 
shall include appropriate monitoring and evaluation design to ensure proper 
implementation and sustainability of the service. 
 
The LGU shall be accountable for the operations and maintenance of the 
services which shall include the employment of personnel for the daily 
operations, security, and periodic maintenance of the services. 
 
SECTION 7. Appropriations. – The funds for the establishment of rent-a-
bike services, including its maintenance and operation shall be appropriated 
from the national budget and shall be included in the General Appropriations 
Act as part of the budget of the concerned Local Government Unit. The LGUs 
concerned, in consultation with DoTr, shall set aside from any available local 
revenue an amount deemed appropriate as an annual counterpart fund to 
support the maintenance and operation of the Center herein established. 
 
SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulation. – The DoTr in 
consultation with the LGUs nationwide along with other concerned 
government agencies and nongovernmental entities shall promulgate the 
rules and regulations to implement this Act not later than one hundred eighty 
(180) days from the effectivity of this Act. 
 
SECTION 9. Separability Clause. – If any portion or provision of this Act is 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in 
full force and effect.   
 


SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. –All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules 
and regulations, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, or 
modified accordingly.  
 
SECTION 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general 
circulation.  
 
Approved,