NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
House Bill No. __________ 
Introduced by Hon. Antonio B. Legarda Jr. 
AN ACT 
PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AND ALTERNATIVE MODES OF 
TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER MOBILITY OPTIONS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Traffic congestion is one of the biggest problems our country is facing today, 
especially in urban areas like Metro Manila. At the surface, it might seem like a superficial 
problem but traffic congestion has both a detrimental effect on economic growth and health 
of the populace. 
In 2020, Metro Manila was crowned as the city with the second worst traffic 
congestion in the world among 416 cities in 57 countries.1 In 2014, the Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA) revealed that the traffic congestion in Metro Manila costs the 
Philippine economy at least PHP 2.4 billion per day.2 In 2018, the amount of loss suffered by
the Philippine economy due to traffic congestion increased to 3.5 billion pesos per day and it 
was estimated to sharply increase to 6 billion pesos daily by 2030.3
In the realm of public health, transport vehicles is a known contributor to air 
pollution. In the 2018 National Emissions Inventory by source, it was determined that 74 
percent of air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR) came from mobile sources such 
as cars, trucks, motorcycles, and buses. 4  According to the World Health Organization
(WHO), around one third, or 2.2 million of the world’s 7 million premature deaths each year 
from household (indoor) and ambient (outdoor) air pollution are in the WHO Western Pacific 
Region—home to one quarter of the world’s population. 
1 https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1383983/metro-manila-traffic-2nd-worst-in-the-world-report 
2 https://serp-p.pids.gov.ph/feature/public/index-view?feauredtype_id=1&slug=transportation 
3 https://www.jica.go.jp/philippine/english/office/topics/news/180920.html 
4 https://air.emb.gov.ph/emission-inventory-2018/ 
August 2, 2022
4:56 pm
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In view of the foregoing, it is necessary that fundamental changes must be introduced 
to solve the traffic congestion problem in our country. Henceforth, this bill seeks to 
institutionalize and promote sustainable and alternative modes of transportation such as 
walking and cycling.  Not only will alternative modes of transportation improve air quality 
and recoup economic losses, but it will also be a great method to counter the effect of high 
gasoline prices. 
In line with the policy adopted by its original proponent Senator Loren Legarda, this 
bill therefore likewise serves as a counter-part House Bill. It is for the reasons stated above 
that the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
HON. ANTONIO B. LEGARDA JR. 


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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
House Bill No. __________ 
Introduced by Hon. Antonio B. Legarda Jr. 
AN ACT 
PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AND ALTERNATIVE MODES OF 
TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER MOBILITY OPTIONS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
Section. 1. Short Title. – The Act shall be known as the ―Sustainable Transportation 
Act of 2022‖ 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – In conformity with the provisions of the Constitution 
to promote the general welfare and social justice in all phases of national development, to 
protect and advance the right of the Filipino people to a balanced and healthful ecology in 
accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature, and to conserve and develop the patrimony of 
the nation, the State hereby adopts the following policies relative to the transportation system 
in our country, whether public or private: 
a.) The State shall promote a shift toward a safe, collective, efficient, non-congestive, 
non-pollutive, and healthful locomotion and transportation system that includes 
non-motorized transport. 
b.) The State shall increase mobility options of the general public and promote the 
use of alternative modes of transportation such as walking, biking, and the use of 
efficient and low emissions mass transportation system. 
c.) The State shall properly plan and establish facilities and infrastructures that will 
respond to this paradigm shift in the transportation system. 
d.) The State shall establish its plans and programs in conformity with the overall 
national land-use plan as well as the local comprehensive land use plans. 
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. – The following terms shall have their respective 
meanings: 
a. "Bicycle" refers to a device that a person may ride that is propelled by human 
power and has two tandem wheels at least one of which is more than 14 inches 
in diameter. 
b. "Motor vehicle" means a self-propelled vehicle or any vehicle propelled by 
any power other than muscular power. The term does not include an electric 
bicycle. 
c. "Public transportation" means a shared passenger transportation service that is 
available for use by the general public. These include buses, trams, trains, 
rapid transit, and ferries. 
d. "Walkways" mean paved paths for pedestrians alongside streets. 
e. ―Sustainable transport‖ is any means of transport with low impact on the 
environment, accessible, safe, environment-friendly, and affordable. It 
includes walking and cycling, transit-oriented development, green vehicles, 
carpooling, and building or protecting urban transport systems that are fuel-
efficient, space-saving, and promote healthy lifestyles.  
f. ―Travel Demand Management‖ (TDM) means a set of tools to offer people 
better travel information and opportunities and help people choose to reduce 
their need to travel especially by car. 
Sec. 4. Sustainable Transport Action Plan. – The Department of Transportation 
(DOTr), in coordination with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and 
the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), shall come up with a Sustainable 
Transport Action Plan which aims to provide a roadmap for a national and local 
transportation system to be adhered to at all levels throughout the country. The Sustainable 
Transport Action Plan shall include strategies relating to parking, public transport, cycling, 
walking, and transport infrastructure, and will set out the actions required to achieve the 
mode shift target over a certain period as identified by DOTr and NEDA. 
Sec. 5. Installation of Walkways. – Adequate sidewalk areas must be maintained on 
all roads as walkways to allow safe pedestrian passage and for the safe and convenient use of 
wheelchairs, strollers, and similar instruments. For primary and secondary roads, there shall 
be allotted three (3) meters for the sidewalks. If there is no space allocated for such and the 
implementation will prove difficult, in lieu thereof, an elevated footbridge must be installed. 


 
 
 
 
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This shall be provided by the Local Government Unit (LGU) concerned within six (6) 
months from the effectivity of this Act. 
Sec. 6. Public Transportation. – The DOTr shall provide guidelines that will promote 
a shift towards public transportation as a primary mobility option to the general public, within 
twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act. Better public transportation initiatives 
shall be studied and implemented in an effort to reduce the impact of the declining oil 
economy on our environment and financial markets as well as help reduce energy costs, 
pollution, and even urban poverty. 
Sec. 7.  Commissioning of a “Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System.” – The Department of 
Transportation (DOTr) shall, within twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act, come 
up with a study commissioning the creation of a Bus Rapid Transit System which will 
organize buses into one efficient long-distance transportation system with coordinated 
schedules, rates, routes, and pick-up and drop-off points. The LGU and the private sector, 
including but not limited to mall owners and bus companies, can be tapped to put up or use 
existing facilities such as parks, parking lots, and bus depots that will serve as large collective 
transportation terminals where people can park their cars and bikes and take the buses to their 
destinations.  
Sec. 8. Establishment of a Water Ferry System. – As much as practicable, the national 
agencies and water regulatory bodies in charge of a water body led by the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in coordination with the DOTr, shall explore 
the establishment of a ferry system in navigable bodies of water which may be operated by 
the said authority or bid out to a private contractor. The possibility of interconnecting said 
waterways shall also be considered.  
Sec. 9. Travel Demand Management Programs. – The DOTr, in coordination with the 
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Education (DepEd), 
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and one representative each from the civil society, 
transport sector, and the youth, shall come up with guidelines on travel demand management 
programs that will reduce the volume of cars and motorized transport in the roads as well as 
enhance and encourage students and workers to use the public transport system. These shall 
include, but are not limited to, the following: 
a.) carpool, vanpool, or car-share projects; 
b.) congestion pricing measures; 
c.) programs to promote telecommuting; 


 
 
 
 
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d.) flexible work schedules, or satellite work centers;  
e.) transport program for government employees; and 
f.) intelligent transportation systems or other operational improvements that are 
certified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to 
reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 
This shall be completed within twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act. 
Sec. 10. Designation of Bike Lanes. – A portion of the roadway or highway shall be 
designated as ―bike lanes‖ by the LGU having jurisdiction over such roadway or highway, in 
coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), within six (6) 
months from the effectivity of this Act. 
The designated bike lanes shall be for the preferential or exclusive use of bicycles. These 
bike lanes shall not be obstructed by a parked or standing motor vehicle or other stationary 
objects. The bike lanes shall be made identifiable by striping with signing or striping with 
pavement markings. 
Sec. 11. Provision of Bicycle Parking Spaces and Bike Racks. – Bicycle parking 
spaces and bike racks are hereby required to be provided by owners of establishments that 
are:  
a.) For non-residential use with a gross floor area larger than 7,500 square feet; 
b.) Multiple-family dwellings when 12 or more are provided on a lot; 
c.) Public parking lots. 
The DOTr shall establish guidelines on the minimum supply of bicycle parking spaces in 
buildings and other facilities, taking into consideration the population of the short-term or 
long-term dwellers in the area, within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act. 
Sec. 12. Facilities. – The DOTr, in coordination with the DPWH and the LGUs 
concerned, shall carry out an investment program that will encourage a mode shift to 
sustainable transport within selected communities by providing safe and convenient options 
to bicycle and walk for routine travel, and for other purposes. This shall be completed within 
twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act. 
Sec. 13. Education and Research Programs. – The DOTr shall conduct studies and 
research, and eventually, supply information to the car-owning and riding public as well as 
commuters on aspects of sustainable transport that are relatively new. It shall also provide 
technical assistance and other resources to government agencies and the private sector 
involved in the transport system. 


 
 
 
 
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Sec. 14. Financing.  – The DOTr, in coordination with the DENR, shall explore the 
possibility of accessing a growing range of global environment funds to be able to assist in 
the funding of sustainable public transport systems and less polluting energy supplies. Public-
private partnerships shall also be encouraged in the development of transportation 
improvements. 
Sec. 15. Implementing Agency. – The DOTr shall be the main implementing agency 
for this Act.  
Sec. 16. Separability Clause. – Should any provision herein be subsequently declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity or the legality of the other 
provisions not so declared. 
Sec. 17. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules 
and regulations, other issuances, and parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act, are hereby repealed and modified accordingly. 
Sec. 18. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in at 
least (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,