EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
0f(icr Oi In
r In.' 
> H
•19 JULIO A 9-46
S E N A T E
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
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
In 2009, the organizers of the UN Climate Change Conference wanted to 
illustrate what one metric tonne of carbon dioxide (CO2) looked like. This was 
important, as greenhouse gas emissions are measured in million tonnes of carbon 
dioxide (MtC02). As it turned out, one tonne of C02 would roughly fill up a cube 
sized twenty-seven cubic feet- roughly the size of a three-story building.1
In 2013, the World Resources Institute estimated the carbon footprint of the 
Philippine transport sector at 25.56 MtC02.2 In terms of the imagery used above, this 
would be equivalent to 25 million cubes of MtC02 the size of three-story buildings, 
floating into the atmosphere every year. In 2010, road transport in Metro Manila was 
estimated to have produced 7.98 million tonnes of C02 equivalent (MtC02eq).3
The picture is even direr when we factor in air pollution. In 2010, it was 
estimated that motor vehicles in Metro Manila produced 1.029 tons of carbon 
monoxide, 118,524 tons of nitrogen oxide, and 6,616 tons of sulfur oxide.4 In 
concrete terms, breathing the air in EDSA-Timog, Quezon City for one hour and forty 
minutes is equivalent to smoking 2 cigarettes.5 How ironic: we have taxed and spent 
so much to prevent people from killing themselves with cigarettes, only for them to
I i_i ijj -
- 
r»
2 World Resources Institute. Historical Emissions Data, 2013.
3 USAID. Annex 2, Climate Change and Clean Energy Project. Cited in Japan International Cooperation 
Agency, Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development for Metro Manila and its Surroundng Areas 
(Region III andIV-A). Retrieved from nun: ’.v’.wv.neda.eoN.pn wp-conteiu upload^ 2ui? 
hK-M.MN-1 LX I .- 
12149605 01.pdf
4 Ibid.
5 Cruz, J. “Why we should raise fuel taxes” Business World (10 July 2017). Retrieved from
liUp. . u 
u .bum iOoiihiic.cum c>,)iiieiU.php.'.''Cclu.)ii Upimon1:'..iiik- •■vii\-vvf-aikiulU-u>i:»e-lucl-ta.\Cj&.>d--14/994


commit slow-motion suicide by breathing in the air in Manila. This is not an 
exaggeration. According to the World Bank, air pollution-related deaths in the 
country reached 57,403 in 2013, costing $2.8 billion in foregone labor output.6
It can be argued that air pollution only affects those who commute. After all, 
6.17 million person-trips in Manila are done via air-conditioned private vehicles.7 Yet 
those who are fortunate enough to own private vehicles have no respite. On 
average, all Filipinos (car drivers included) waste around 28,000 hours- or a 
staggering 3 years- of their lives in traffic. That's equivalent to 3 years not spent 
resting or bonding with family.8 3 years of our lives, "Packed like lemmings into 
shiny metal boxes/Contestants in a suicidal race."
It is clear that moving around Metro Manila is a stressful, polluted, and 
neurotic experience. Ant this is why this representation earnestly seeks enactment of 
this measure- the proposed Sustainable Transport Act. This measure seeks to 
mandate the Department of Transport and related agencies to prepare a Sustainable 
Transport Plan. The Plan shall include non-motorized transport, the development of 
a seamless and inclusive public transportation system, green infrastructure and 
facilities, and enforcement of transportation demand management measures. In 
addition, the DOTr shall develop policies and guidelines that promote non-motorized 
transportation such as walking and bicycling to meet public transportation demand.
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is sought.
GRACE POE
Talavera, C. “Air pollution deaths cost PH S2.8B in 2013” Manila Times (09 September 2016). Retrieved from 
hllp: uAsw .manilalimcs.ncl air-pol lilt ion-deal hs-cosl-ph-2-8b-in-20l.'l'2847(>2
7 JICA Dream Plan.
8 Ordinario, C. “Pinoys waste 28,000 hours in ‘traffic’” Business World (5 March 2015). Retrieved from
nno:./WWW.bu^liin.,ssmirror.com.nhpino\s-v\asic-2800U-lHHirs-iii-u attic


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
S E N A T E  
S. No. 3l9
V-' 
o( Ii'i
*19 JULIO A 9 ’46
Introduced by Senator Grac^?4^^' 
- —
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 o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short T itte ^^ The Act shall be known as the "Sustainable
2 
Transportation Act o f 20I H '- ^
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policies. -  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
13 
our 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
16 
inclusive transportation system for the benefit of all citizens, economy and
17 
society;
1


1 
b.) The State shall increase mobility options of the general public and promote
2 
the use of alternative modes of transportation such as non-motorized
3 
transportation, green vehicles and public transportation;
4 
c.) The State shall properly plan and establish facilities and infrastructures that
5 
will respond to this paradigm shift in the transportation system;
6 
d.)The State shall espouse social equity and gender perspective in the
7 
formulation of a Sustainable Transport plan, reinforcing existing rules,
8 
regulations and laws;
9 
e.) The State shall establish its plans and programs in conformity with the overall
10 
integrated national land use plan as well as the local comprehensive land use
11 
plans; and
12 
f.) The State shall encourage the viable use of alternative and cleaner fuels in
13 
view of vehicular modernization.
14 
Sec. 3. Definition o f Terms. -  The following terms shall have their respective
15 
meanings:
16 
a.) Mixed-Use Development refers to any urban, suburban or village
17 
development, or even a single building, that blends a combination of
18 
residential, commercial, cultural, institutional, or industrial uses, where
19 
those functions are 
physically 
and functionally integrated, 
and 
that
20 
provides pedestrian connections;
21 
b.) Motor vehicle means a self-propelled vehicle or any vehicle propelled by
22 
any power other than muscular power. The term does 
not include electric
23 
bicycles;
24 
c.) Public transportation refers to a shared passenger transportation service
25 
which is available for use by the general public. These include buses,
26 
trams, trains, rapid transit and ferries;
27 
d.) Road Safety Audit refers to the systematic checking of the safety aspects
28 
of new highway and traffic management schemes, including modifications
29 
to existing layouts. The main aim is to design out safety problems from
30 
the beginning and to reduce future problems. Safety audits 
should 
be
31 
included during the design, construction and maintenance phases of road
32 
projects;


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


1 
required to achieve the mode shift target over a certain period of time as identified
2 
by DOTr.
3 
Sec. 5. Integrated Land Use and Transportation Plan. -  In the preparation
4 
and updating of their land use plans, all local government units (LGUs) shall explore
5 
the important relationship between land use and transportation and ensure that
6 
land-use and transportation decisions be made in conjunction with each other to
7 
balance and coordinate the mix of land uses, with the end in view of sustaining a
8 
healthy economy, supporting the use of alternative transportation, and enhancing
9 
the quality of life. Said plan shall include strategies to avoid unnecessary travel
10 
through transit-oriented development. Further, the DOTr shall provide technical
11 
assistance to key stakeholders and LGUs in the completion of these integrated land
12 
use and transportation plans, upon the request of the LGUs and subject to
13 
availability of resources.
14 
Sec. 6. Establishment o f Emission Control and Standards, Road Safety and
15 
Inspection and Maintenance. -  The State shall endeavor to achieve a smoke-free,
16 
accident- free and effective road safety management system. In line with this, the
17 
existing motor vehicular standards set by the DOTr and the DENR on emission, fuel
18 
economy and roadworthiness shall form part of the Sustainable Transport Action
19 
Plan as consistent with the objectives of this Act. The DOTr, in coordination with
20 
related agencies, shall strictly implement these emission standards and conduct
21 
stronger road apprehension.
22 
a.) Emission Control and Standards. -  Pursuant to Philippine Clean Air Act of
23 
1999 
or 
Republic Act 
No. 
8749, 
the 
DOTr, 
through 
the 
Land
24 
Transportation Office (LTO), shall conduct the vehicle test for emissions
25 
utilizing the Motor Vehicle Inspection Station (MVIS) as well as establish a
26 
roadside inspection system to ensure that vehicles comply with the
27 
emission standards.
28 
b.) Road Safety Program. -  The existing road safety program shall be
29 
enhanced and strictly enforced, by adopting a zero-fatality policy,
30 
implementing appropriate speed controls and imposing a regular Road
31 
Safety Audit (RSA) to influence safety performance on an ongoing basis.
32 
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shall identify the


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


1 
roads within its jurisdiction which shaii be dearly marked as such and
2 
segregated from ali vehicular traffic lanes by a yellow dividing line.
3 
Currently designated bike lanes shall be assessed for safety and
4 
connectivity and shall be subject to measures that will improve the same.
5 
The designated bike lanes shall be for the preferential or exclusive use of
6 
bicycles. All motorized vehicular traffic shall not be allowed to use the bike
7 
lane at any time of the day. The right of way of bikers shall be paramount
8 
at all times and may not be obstructed by a parked or standing motor
9 
vehicle or other stationary object, even in intersections.
10 
c.) Provision o f Bicycie Parking Spaces and Bike Racks. -  The DOTr shall
11 
establish guidelines on the minimum supply of bicycle parking spaces and
12 
bike racks in buildings and other facilities, taking into consideration the
13 
population of the short-term or long-term dwellers in the area. The
14 
owners of these establishments shall be required to provide for such.
15 
Sec. 9. Pubiic Transportation. -  The DOTr shall provide guidelines that will
16 
promote a shift towards seamless and inclusive public transportation as a primary
17 
mobility option to the general public, especially the poor, including the elderly,
18 
PWDs, women, youth, and children. Better public transportation initiatives shall be
19 
studied and implemented in an effort to reduce the impact of fossil fuel on our
20 
environment and financial markets, provide high quality but affordable transport
21 
services as well as help reduce energy costs and pollution. Further, a unified and
22 
automated fare collection shall, as much as possible, be established amongst all the
23 
available forms of public transportation.
24 
The DOTr shall conduct a Land Transportation Rationalization Study which will
25 
scientifically determine the actual need for public transportation in the various
26 
routes. This study shall objectively determine the actual number of public buses,
27 
jeeps, taxis and other public utility vehicles (PUVs) needed by the public in a certain
28 
route, road, street, locality or area. After completion, the study will be used as the
29 
basis for the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board's (LTFRB)
30 
issuance of the franchises for all the PUVs and grant of authority to operate as a
31 
vehicle for hire.


1 
a.) Commissioning o f a "Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System." -  The DOTr shall
2 
prepare a study commissioning the creation of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
3 
System which will organize buses into one efficient long-distance
4 
transportation system with coordinated schedules, rates, routes, and pick-
5 
up and drop-off points. The LGU and the private sector, including but not
6 
limited to mall owners and bus companies, may be tapped in order to put
7 
up or use existing facilities such as parks, parking lots, and bus depots
8 
that will serve as large collective transportation terminals where people
9 
can park their cars and bikes and take the buses to their destinations.
10 
b.) Estabiishment o f a Water Ferry System. -  As much as practicable, the
11 
national agencies and water regulatory bodies in charge of a water body
12 
led by the DENR, in coordination with the DOTr, shall study and initiate
13 
the establishment of a ferry system in navigable bodies of water which
14 
may be operated by the said authority or bid out to a private contractor.
15 
Sec. 10. Transportation Demand Management Programs. -  The DOTr, in
16 
coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of
17 
Education (DepEd), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and one representative
18 
each from the civil society, transport sector and the youth, shall come up with
19 
guidelines on transport demand management programs that will reduce the volume
20 
of cars and motorized transport in the roads as well as enhance and encourage
21 
students and workers to use the public transport system. These shall include, but is
22 
not limited to, the following:
23 
a.) Carpool, vanpool, or car-share projects;
24 
b.) Car ownership policies in relation to parking and air pollution;
25 
c.) Congestion pricing measures;
26 
d.) Programs to promote telecommuting;
27 
e.) Flexible work schedules, or satellite work centers;
28 
f.) Transport program for government employees; and
29 
g.) Intelligent transportation systems.
30
31 
S ec.ll. Faciiities. -  The DOTr, in coordination with the DPWH and the LGUs
32 
concerned, shall carry out an investment program that will encourage a shift to


1 
sustainable transport within selected communities by providing safe and convenient
2 
options to bicycle and walk for routine travel, and for other purposes. Transit-
3 
oriented development, 
supporting 
facilities for non-motorized 
transportation,
4 
intermodal connectivity and public transportation shall be developed in accordance
5 
with the land use and transportation plan.
6 
Sec. 12. Public Health Program. -  An Inter-Agency Taskforce composed of the
7 
DOTr and the DOH shall be created to lead the formation and the implementation of
8 
a Transportation and Health Impacts Program. The taskforce shall formulate
9 
strategies for the reduction of the negative heath and environmental impacts of
10 
transportation to road users. 
These strategies shall include but not be limited to
11 
strengthening of public health services, formulation of the necessary department
12 
administrative orders and required regular general and audio- logical check up for
13 
road users and affected communities. Further, the taskforce shall regularly monitor
14 
and evaluate these strategies.
15 
Sec. 13. Education and Research Programs. -T h e  DOTr and the NEDA shall
16 
conduct studies and researches, and eventually supply information to the car-owning
17 
and -riding public as well as commuters on aspects of sustainable transport that are
18 
relatively new. Technical assistance may be provided to other government agencies
19 
and private sector representatives involved in the transport system.
20 
The DOTr shall also conduct a continuous public consultations and social
21 
impact assessments amongst stakeholders affected by the Sustainable Transport
22 
Action 
Plan. 
Social 
safety nets shall 
be carefully studied, formulated and
23 
implemented, as needed.
24 
Sec. 14. Financing. -  The DOTr, in coordination with the key stakeholders
25 
deemed necessary, shall explore the possibility of accessing a growing range of
26 
global environment funds in order to be able to assist in the funding of sustainable
27 
public transport systems. Public-private partnerships shall also be encouraged in the
28 
development of transportation improvements.
29
30 
Further, the revenues collected pursuant to Republic Act No. 8794, as
31 
amended, shall be used for the implementation of this Act.
8


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