' ■
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session
SENATE
S. No. 2RRR
25 JAN 27 ?7;28
I'r ■
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
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
The Philippines continues to face significant challenges in its transportation 
sector that directly impact the daily lives of millions of Filipinos and the nation's 
economic growth. The Asian Development Bank's 2023 study estimates that Metro 
Manila alone loses approximately PHP 2.4 billion daily due to traffic congestion, 
highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive transportation reform.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the transportation sector 
accounts for approximately 31.5% of the country's total energy consumption and is a 
major contributor to air pollution in urban areas. The Department of Health reports 
that respiratory diseases, partly attributed to poor air quality, remain among the 
leading causes of morbidity in the country.
The ongoing modernization of our public transportation system, while 
necessary, has also revealed the need for a more inclusive and sustainable approach. 
Many commuters, particularly those from vulnerable sectors including persons with 
disabilities, elderly, and low-income families, continue to face difficulties accessing 
safe and affordable transportation options.


Our current transportation infrastructure predominantiy favors private vehicies, 
resulting in inefficient use of road space and contributing to urban congestion. The 
World Bank's 2022 Urban Mobility Report ranks Manila among the bottom tier of Asian 
cities in terms of sustainabie urban mobiiity, emphasizing the need for immediate 
action.
This bill seeks to establish a comprehensive framework for promoting 
sustainable transportation in the Philippines. It aims to:
1. Develop an integrated approach to transportation planning that prioritizes 
public transport, waiking, and cycling
2. Reduce transportation-related environmental impacts and improve air quaiity 
in urban areas
3. Ensure equitable access to mobility options for all sectors of society
4. Promote energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable transportation 
modes
5. Create iivable communities through transit-oriented deveiopment
The proposed measure buiids upon existing initiatives while introducing new 
mechanisms to accelerate the transition toward sustainable mobility. It recognizes that 
sustainabie transportation is not mereiy about infrastructure development but 
encompasses social equity, environmental protection, and economic efficiency.
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
NGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session
)
SENATE 
s. No. P.9RR
25 .)I\M27 ?7‘-2B
UfCili -. ^
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
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 the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shaii be known as the "Sustainable
2 
Transportation Act'.
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - In conformity with the provisions of the
4 
Constitution to promote general welfare and social justice in all phases of national
5 
development, to protect and advance the right of the Filipino people to a balanced
6 
and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature, and to
7 
conserve and develop the patrimony of the nation, and in consonance with signed
8 
international agreements such as Aichi Statement of 2005, United Nations Economic
9 
Commission for Europe (UNECE) Agreement, United Nations Framework Convention
10 
on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Agreement of 1992, UNECE World Forum for
11 
Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP 29), and Bangkok Declaration for 2020, the
12 
State hereby adopts the following policies relative to the transportation system in our
13 
country, whether public or private:
14 
a) The State shall promote a shift towards a safe, cost-effective, efficient, non-
15 
congestive, non-pollutive, and healthful locomotion and seamless and


1 
inclusive transportation system for the benefit of ail citizens, economy and
2 
society;
3 
b) The State shail increase mobiiity options of the generai public and promote
4 
the use of aiternative modes of transportation, such as non-motorized
5 
transportation, green vehicles and public transportation;
6 
c) The State shali properly plan and establish faciiities and infrastructures that
7 
wili respond to this paradigm shift in the transportation system;
8 
d) The State shail espouse social equity and gender perspective in the
9 
formuiation of a Sustainabie Transport Action Plan, reinforcing existing
10 
ruies, regulations and laws;
11 
e) The State shall establish its plans and programs in conformity with the
12 
overail integrated nationai iand use plan as well as the local comprehensive
13 
iand use pians; and
14 
f) The State shaii encourage the viabie use of aiternative and cieaner fuels in
15 
view of vehicuiar modernization.
16 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - The foHowing terms shaii have their respective
17 
meanings:
18 
a) Mixed-Use Deveiopment refers to any urban, suburban or viilage
19 
development, or even a single building, that biends a combination of
20 
residential, commercial, cultural, institutional, or industrial uses, where
21 
those functions are physicaily and functionaiiy integrated, and that provides
22 
pedestrian connections;
23 
b) Motor Vehicie refers to a seif-propelied vehicie or any vehicie propelled by
24 
any power other than muscular power. The term does not include an electric
25 
bicycle;
26 
c) Public Transportation refers to a shared passenger transportation service
27 
which is avaiiabie for use by the general public. These include buses, trams,
28 
trains, rapid transit, and ferries;
29 
d) Road Safety Audit refers to the systematic checking of the safety aspects of
30 
new highway and traffic management schemes, inciuding modifications to
31 
existing iayouts. The main aim is to design out safety problems from the


1 
beginning and to reduce future problems. Safety audits should be included
2 
during the design, construction, and maintenance phases of road projects;
3 
e) Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) refers to a mixed-use residential and
4 
commercial area designed to maximize access to public transport and often
5 
incorporates features to encourage transit ridership. A TOD neighborhood
6 
typically has a center with a transit station or stop (train station, metro
7 
station, tram stop, or bus stop), surrounded by relatively high-density
8 
development with progressively lower-density development spreading
9 
outward from the center;
10 
f) Transportation Demand Management (TDM) refers to strategies that
11 
increase transport system efficiency. TDM gives priority to modes that move
12 
people more efficiently and discourages the use of single occupancy vehicles
13 
to reduce traffic congestion. It also includes promotion of non-motorized
14 
transportation (NMT) through walking and cycling;
15 
g) Walkways refer to a continuous way designated for pedestrians and
16 
separated from the through lanes for motor vehicles by space or barrier;
17 
and
18 
h) Sustainable Transport refers to any means of transport with low impact on
19 
the environment, accessible, safe, environment-friendly, and affordable. It
20 
includes walking and cycling, transit-oriented development, green vehicles,
21 
carpooling, and building or protecting urban transport systems that are fuel-
22 
efficient, space-saving and promote healthy lifestyles.
23 
Sec. 4. Sustainable Transport Action Plan. - The Department of Transportation
24 
(DOTr), in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
25 
(DENR), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), and other key
26 
stakeholders from the national and local levels, as may be deemed necessary, shall
27 
prepare a Sustainable Transport Action Plan which aims to provide a roadmap for
28 
national and local transportation system to be adhered to at all levels throughout the
29 
country.
30 
The Sustainable Transport Action Plan shall include strategies relating to the
31 
inclusion of non-motorized transport, the development of a seamless and inclusive
32 
public transportation system, green infrastructure and facilities, and enforcement of
3


1 
transportation demand management measures. These will set out the actions required
2 
to achieve the mode shift target over a certain period of time as identified by DOTr.
3 
Sec. 5. Integrated Land Use and Transportation Plan. - In the preparation and
4 
updating of their land use plans, all local government units (LGUs) shall explore the
5 
important relationship between land use and transportation and ensure that land-use
6 
and transportation decisions be made in conjunction with each other to balance and
7 
coordinate the mix of land uses, with the end in view of sustaining a healthy economy,
8 
supporting the use of alternative transportation, and enhancing the quality of life. Said
9 
plan shall include strategies to avoid unnecessary travel through transit-oriented
10 
development. Further, the DOTr shall provide technical assistance to key stakeholders
11 
and LGUs in the completion of these integrated land use and transportation plans,
12 
upon the request of the LGUs and subject to availability of resources.
13 
Sec. 6. Establishment of Emission Control and Standards, Road Safety and
14 
Inspection and Maintenance. - The State shall endeavor to achieve a smoke-free,
15 
accident-free, and effective road safety management system. In iine with this, the
16 
existing motor vehicular standards set by the DOTr and the DENR on emission, fuel
17 
economy, and roadworthiness shall form part of the Sustainable Transport Action Plan
18 
as consistent with the objectives of this Act. The DOTr, in coordination with related
19 
agencies, shall strictly implement these emission standards and conduct stronger road
20 
apprehension:
21 
a) Emission Control and Standards. - Pursuant to Philippine Clean Air Act of
22 
1999 or Republic Act No. 8749, the DOTr, through the Land Transportation
23 
Office (LTO), shall conduct the vehicle test for emissions utilizing the Motor
24 
Vehicle Inspection Station (MVIS) as well as establish a roadside inspection
25 
system to ensure that vehicles comply with the emission standards.
26 
b) Road Safety Program. - The existing road safety program shall be enhanced
27 
and strictly enforced, by adopting a zero-fatality policy, implementing
28 
appropriate speed controls and imposing a regular Road Safety Audit (RSA)
29 
to influence safety performance on an ongoing basis. The Department of
30 
Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shall identify the roads and highways
31 
to be audited and shall be responsible for the conduct of the RSAs.


1 
Sec. 7. Use of Alternative Energy and Cleaner Fuels. - The Department of
2 
Energy (DOE), in coordination with the DOTr and the DENR, shail formulate strategies
3 
towards vehicular modernization and use of alternative energy and cleaner fuels, such
4 
as but not limited to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueled buses and electric motor
5 
powered vehicles, pursuant to the Philippine Standardization Law or Republic Act No.
6 
4109, Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 or Republic Act No. 8749 and the Biofuels Act
7 
of 2006 or Republic Act No. 9367. The availability, viability, safety, sustainability.
8 
energy resilience, and fuel efficiency of these alternative energy and cleaner fuels shall
9 
be taken into consideration, as well as transparency and route measured capacity in
10 
relation to the issuance of provisional authorities or franchises.
11 
Sec. 8. Non-Motorized Transportation. - The DOTr shall develop policies and
12 
guidelines that promote non-motorized transportation such as walking and bicycling,
13 
and variants such as the use of strollers, small-wheeled transport (skates,
14 
skateboards, push scooters and hand carts) and wheelchair travel to meet public
15 
transportation demand. Said policies and guidelines shall include design principles for
16 
supporting facilities and infrastructures that will espouse a seamless transportation
17 
system such as, but not limited to, exclusive pedestrian and bike lanes, safe street
18 
crossings and access ramps for persons with disabilities (PWDs) to ensure inclusive
19 
non-motorized transportation.
20 
a) Installation of Walkways. - Each LGU shall maintain adequate sidewalk areas
21 
on roads frequented by pedestrians as walkways to allow safe pedestrian
22 
passage and for the safe and convenient use of wheelchairs, strollers, and
23 
similar instruments. For primary and secondary roads, there shall be allotted
24 
three (3) meters for the sidewalks. If there is no space allocated for such and
25 
the implementation will prove difficult, in lieu thereof, either an elevated
26 
footbridge or underground walkway must be installed.
27 
b) Designation of Bike Lanes. - Each LGU shall designate a bike lane measuring
28 
at least one (l)-meter wide on the rightmost portion of major roads within its
29 
jurisdiction which shall be clearly marked as such and segregated from ail
30 
vehicular traffic lanes by a yellow dividing line. Currently designated bike lanes
31 
shall be assessed for safety and connectivity and shall be subject to measures
32 
that will improve the same.
5


1 
The designated bike lanes shall be for the preferential or exclusive use
2 
of bicycles. All motorized vehicular traffic shall not be allowed to use the bike
3 
lane at any time of the day. The right of way of bikers shall be paramount at
4 
all times and may not be obstructed by a parked or standing motor vehicle or
5 
other stationary object, even in intersections.
6 
c) Provision of Bicycie Parking Spaces and Bike Racks. - The DOTr shall
7 
establish guidelines on the minimum supply of bicycle parking spaces and
8 
bike racks in buildings and other facilities, taking into consideration the
9 
population of the short-term or long-term dwellers in the area. The owners
10 
of these establishments shall be required to provide for such.
11 
Sec. 9. Pubiic Transportation. - The DOTr shall provide guidelines that will
12 
promote a shift towards seamless and inclusive public transportation as a primary
13 
mobility option to the general public, especially the poor, including the elderly, PWDs,
14 
women, youth, and children. Better public transportation initiatives shall be studied
15 
and implemented in an effort to reduce the impact of fossil fuel on our environment
16 
and financial markets, provide high quality but affordable transport services as well as
17 
help reduce energy costs and pollution. Further, a unified and automated fare
18 
collection shall, as much as possible, be established amongst all the available forms
19 
of public transportation.
20 
The DOTr shall conduct a Land Transportation Rationalization Study which will
21 
scientifically determine the actual need for public transportation in the various routes.
22 
This study shall objectively determine the actual number of public buses, jeeps, taxis
23 
and other public utility vehicies (PUVs) needed by the public in a certain route, road,
24 
street, locality or area. After completion, the study will be used as the basis for the
25 
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board's (LTFRB) issuance of the
26 
franchises for all the PUVs and grant of authority to operate as a vehicle for hire.
27 
a) Commissioning of a "Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System." - The DOTr shall
28 
conduct a study commissioning the creation of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
29 
System which will organize buses into one efficient long-distance
30 
transportation system with coordinated schedules, rates, routes, and pick-
31 
up and drop-off points. The LGU and the private sector, including but not
32 
limited to, mali owners and bus companies, may be tapped in order to put
6


1 
up or use existing facilities such as parks, parking lots, and bus depots that
2 
will serve as large collective transportation terminals where people can park
3 
their cars and bikes and take the buses to their destinations.
4 
b) Establishment of a Water Ferry System. - As much as practicable, the
5 
national agencies and water regulatory bodies in charge of a water body led
6 
by the DENR, in coordination with the DOTr, shall study and initiate the
7 
establishment of a ferry system in navigable bodies of water.
8 
Sec. 10. Transportation Demand Management Programs. - The DOTr, in
9 
coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of
10 
Education (DepEd), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and one representative
11 
each from the civil society, transport sector, and the youth, shall come up with
12 
guidelines on transport demand management programs that will reduce the volume
13 
of cars and motorized transport in the roads as well as enhance and encourage
14 
students and workers to use the public transport system. These shall include, but Is
15 
not limited to, the following:
16 
a) carpool, vanpool, or car-share projects;
17 
b) car ownership policies in relation to parking and air pollution;
18 
c) congestion pricing measures;
19 
d) programs to promote telecommuting;
20 
e) flexible work schedules, or satellite work centers;
21 
f) transport program for government employees; and
22 
g) intelligent transportation systems.
23 
Sec. 11. Facilities. - The DOTr, in coordination with the DPWH and the LGUs
24 
concerned, shall carry out an investment program that will encourage a shift to
25 
sustainable transport within selected communities by providing safe and convenient
26 
options to bicycle and walk for routine travel, and for other purposes. Transit-oriented
27 
development, supporting facilities for non-motorized transportation, intermodal
28 
connectivity and public transportation shall be developed in accordance with the land
29 
use and transportation plan.
30 
Sec. 12. Public Health Program. - An Inter-Agency Task Force composed of the
31 
DOTr and the DOH shall be created to lead the formation and the implementation of
32 
a Transportation and Health Impacts Program. The Task Force shall formulate
7


1 
strategies for the reduction of the negative health and environmental impacts of
2 
transportation to road users. These strategies shall include, but not be limited to
3 
strengthening of public health services, formulation of the necessary department
4 
administrative orders and required regular general and audio-logical check-up for road
5 
users and affected communities. Further, the Task Force shall regularly monitor and
6 
evaluate these strategies.
7 
Sec. 13. Education and Research Programs. - - The DOTr and NEDA shall
8 
conduct studies and researches, and eventually supply information to the car-owning
9 
and-riding public as well as commuters on aspects of sustainable transport that are
10 
relatively new. Technical assistance may be provided to other government agencies
11 
and private sector representatives involved in the transport system. The DOTr shall
12 
also conduct continuous public consultations and social impact assessments among
13 
stakeholders affected by the Sustainable Transport Action Plan. Social safety nets shall
14 
be carefully studied, formulated and implemented, as needed.
15 
Sec. 14. Financing. - The DOTr, in coordination with the key stakeholders
16 
deemed necessary, shall explore the possibility of accessing a growing range of global
17 
environment funds in order to be able to assist in the funding of sustainabie public
18 
transport systems. Pubiic-private partnerships shall also be encouraged in the
19 
development of transportation improvements.
20 
Further, seventy- five percent (75%) of the seven and one half percent (7.5%)
21 
allotted in the Special Vehicle Pollution Controi Fund (SVPCF) provided for in Section
22 
7 of Republic Act No. 8794 or An Act Imposing A Motor Vehicle User's Charge On
23 
Owners Of All Types Of Motor Vehicles And For Other Purposes shall be retained by
24 
the DOTr for the implementation of this Act.
25 
Sec. 15. Impiementing Agency. - The DOTr shall be the main impiementing
26 
agency for this Act.
27 
Sec. 16. Separabiiity Cause. - Should any provision herein be subsequently
28 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity or the iegality
29 
of the other provisions not so declared.
30 
Sec. 17. Repeaiing Cause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
31 
rules and regulations, other issuances, and parts thereof, which are inconsistent with
32 
the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed and modified accordingly.
8


1 
Sec. 18. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
2 
publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation
3 
in the Philippines.
Approved,