Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________
Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos
EXPLANATORY NOTE
For decades, we have lived in cities cramped with vehicles running on
fossil fuel. A significant percentage of workers move within and outside the
cities through various forms of mass transportation (jeepney, buses, UV
Express, and tricycles). It worked for us until it didn’t. When the COVID-19
pandemic struck our country, we have been left with no option than to freeze
mass transportation. While this move greatly helped prevent the spread of the
disease, it left many Filipinos with no means of transportation. In NCR where
the
Enhanced
Community
Quarantine
has
been
implemented, the PIDS
reported that only 14% of the mid middle income class have their own vehicles,
3% among the lower middle income class, while the lower income class had 0%
of car ownership. This statistics is bothersome because a huge chunk of the
population belongs in these income classes. They have been left with no choice
but to walk to work, to markets, and all their other necessary destinations.
Moreover, aside from the social disparity, we also have to reconsider the
sustainability of our urban transport options. The air quality index in Metro
Manila is the 57th spot in the world’s most polluted countries.1 This is in part
caused by the great number of vehicles plowing around the Metro, which
according to the LTO 2019 Annual Report was at 3,076,088 registered motor
vehicles.2
Thus,
in
order
to address the not only the problem of pollution,
congestion in mass transport systems, heavy traffic, and lack of sustainable
alternatives, it is proposed that the Philippines must develop a national policy
which aims to improve the overall state of transportation and urban mobility by
encouraging the use of alternative sustainable modes of transportation. These
would include bicycles, e-bikes, kick scooters, electric scooters, and other
2 https://www.lto.gov.ph/transparency-seal/annual-reports.html
1 https://www.iqair.com/world-most-polluted-countries.
September 19, 2022
4:24 pm
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similar products. Aside from a renewed national policy, better and safer road
lanes and other related infrastructure must be built in order to fully encourage
the shift to alternative modes of transportation. It is with these visions in mind
that the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
ALFRED C. DELOS SANTOS
Representative, Ang Probinsyano Partylist


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________
Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos
AN ACT
CREATING A NATIONAL POLICY ON SUSTAINABLE URBAN MOBILITY AND
THE USE OF ALTERNATIVE SUSTAINABLE MODES OF TRANSPORTATION
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Sustainable
Urban Mobility Act.”
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to protect
and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in
accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. It is likewise the policy of the
State to ensure that transportation and other modes of mobility are effective
and sustainable to foster economic growth.
SECTION 3. Definitions. – For purposes of this Act, the following terms
shall mean:
a) National Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan is a plan which provides for,
but
is
not
limited
to,
a
reliable
alternative
sustainable
mode
of
transportation
and
creates
opportunities
for
access
to
the
said
alternative sustainable modes of transportation for the masses;
b) Local sustainable transport plans refer to plans made by the local
government units (LGUs) to implement the national sustainable urban
mobility plan that is tailored fit to the geographical characteristics,
capacity, and other factors unique to their locality.
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c) Alternative sustainable modes of transportation include bicycles, kick
scooters, electric scooters, e-bikes, green bikes, and other similar modes
of transportation using manual movement, electricity, or clean fuel;
SECTION 4. Creation of the National Sustainable Urban Mobility Council.
– There shall be created a National Sustainable Urban Mobility Council
(NSUMC). The NSUMC shall be composed of the following:
a)
Secretary, Department of Transportation (DOTr);
b)
Secretary, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH);
c)
Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR);
d)
Secretary, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE);
e)
Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DOST);
f)
Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
g)
Representative; Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA);
h)
Representative, Land Transportation Office (LTO);
i)
At least two (2) experts on urban planning, provided that one (1) is
from
the
University
of
the
Philippines
School
of Urban and
Regional Planning; and
j)
Three (3) Representatives from bicycle riders organizations.
Each committee member shall designate a permanent and alternate
representative who shall have the authority to decide for and on behalf of the
department, agency, or office he or she is representing and to perform other
functions as necessary.
The Committee shall be assisted by a Secretariat headed by the MMDA
which shall provide technical and administrative assistance to the Committee.
The Secretariat shall be composed of personnel from the MMDA as well as from
the member agencies of the Committee.
The Committee shall, within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act,
formulate a comprehensive national policy for the transformation of urban
transportation and mobility, placing in the forefront the development of urban
road designs which allow for safe and fast travel using alternative sustainable
modes of transportation.
SECTION 5. Urban Road Design for Alternative Sustainable Modes of
Transportation. – The NSUMC, led by DOST and DPWH, in coordination with
other relevant agencies, and in consultation with other organizations whether
private or public, shall create a new urban road design. The DPWH and DOST
shall also seek the assistance of professionals in urban planning and design.
The design shall consider the safety and unhampered travel of people
who opt to use alternative sustainable modes of transportation. The elements


of the design shall, as far as practicable, consider the use of locally available
and environment-friendly materials. The design shall also be geared towards
greener urban roads through additional structures or installations within or
along urban roads.
SECTION 6. Construction of Bike Lanes – The DPWH, in coordination
with LGUs, shall construct the bike lanes and all other related structures
according to the design created under the preceding section.
SECTION 7. Construction of Bike and Alternative Sustainable Modes of
Transport Parking Areas. – The DPWH shall, as far as practicable, construct
bike and Alternative Sustainable Modes of Transport (ASMT) parking areas for
public places and buildings.
Private corporations shall also allot a secured space within or near their
premises to be used as bicycle and ASMT parking areas.
SECTION 8. Provision of Alternative Sustainable Modes of Transportation
for government employees. – Every LGU of a city or municipality classified as an
urban area shall allot an amount for the purchase of alternative sustainable
modes of transportation for its employees and issue the same to those who
express their desire to avail of the said benefit. LGUs of cities or municipalities
not classified as urban areas may also implement such programs.
Government agencies and departments, including government-owned
and controlled corporations, shall likewise allot an amount for the purchase of
alternative sustainable modes of transportation for its employees.
LGUs,
government
agencies,
and
departments,
including
government-owned and controlled corporations shall also provide lockers and a
shower facility inside their premises for employees availing of the benefit.
The ownership of the alternative sustainable modes of transportation
purchased under this provision shall not pass on to the employees and shall be
a benefit available only while the person is employed as a civil servant.
However, all costs paid by the employee for the necessary repair and upgrade of
the alternative sustainable mode of transportation given to him or her shall be
reimbursed
by
the
issuing LGU or agency, provided that the claim for
reimbursement is filed within thirty (30) days from the date indicated in the
receipt.
SECTION 9. Provision of Alternative Sustainable Modes of Transportation
for Private Sector Employees. – Private companies not classified as MSMEs shall
make available the same benefits of provision and reimbursement for necessary
costs to their employees who wish to use alternative sustainable modes of
transportation in their travel to and from work. Employers shall also provide


lockers and a shower facility inside their premises for employees availing of the
benefit.
MSMEs, including startups, may also provide the same benefits to their
employees as far as practicable based on their financial situation. The DOTr, in
partnership with the DTI, shall extend assistance to MSMEs wishing to provide
this benefit to their employees by launching an ASMT Purchase Program where
the DOTr shall subsidize the cost of ASMTs up to thirty percent (30%) of the
price. The availing MSME shall be given the option to pay the remaining
amount either in full payment or under an installment plan with no interest.
The ownership of the alternative sustainable modes of transportation
purchased under this provision shall not pass on to the employees of private
companies and MSMEs, and shall be a benefit available only while the person
is employed, unless otherwise agreed upon by the employer and employee.
All costs paid by the employee for the necessary repair and upgrade of
the alternative sustainable mode of transportation given to him or her shall be
reimbursed by the issuing company, provided that the claim for reimbursement
is filed within thirty (30) days from the date of indicated the receipt unless
otherwise agreed upon.
SECTION 10. Mandatory Inclusion of Bike Riders Road Safety Awareness
Module for All Applicants of Driver’s License. – The Land Transportation Office
(LTO) shall include a specialized section or module emphasizing the different
safety measures that vehicle drivers should know and practice on the road to
ensure the safety of bike riders and riders of other alternative sustainable
modes of transportation in the requirements before an applicant may be
granted with a new driver’s license.
License renewal applicants shall be given the same specialized section or
module before issuance of the renewed license. The LTO shall consult with
bicycle organizations for the content and structure of the specialized section or
module.
SECTION
11.
Educating
the
Public
on
the
Benefits of
Alternative
Sustainable Modes of Transportation. -
The DOTr shall create and launch an
information campaign to educate the public on the benefits of alternative
sustainable modes of transportation as well as encourage them to switch to
these options.
SECTION 12. Appropriations. – Such amount as may be necessary for
the initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against the concerned
agencies’
appropriation
for
the
present
year.
Thereafter,
the
succeeding
appropriation for the continuation and completion of the projects provided for
in this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).


SECTION 13. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is
held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions or parts unaffected
shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 14. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, presidential
decrees or issuances, letters of instruction, administrative orders, rules, and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
SECTION 15. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation.
Approved,