i/.
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
F/rst Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. >?’81
'©I fetnatc
<0(firp nf ri/i' oeJ.irp
25 JUL31 P4 *46
RtTFIVED BV:
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AND ALTERNATIVE MODES OF 
TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY OPTIONS TO IMPROVE AIR QUALITY, 
INCREASE EFFICIENCY, REDUCE CONGESTION, AND PROMOTE PUBLIC 
HEALTH
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 16 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates 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. In addition, the Philippines, as a party 
to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainabie Deveiopment, is committed to 
promulgate policies that advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under 
this framework.
Sustainable transportation is a critical component in achieving these goals. It 
directly supports SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by promoting inciusive, 
safe, and efficient mobility systems; SDG 13 (Climate Action) through reduced 
greenhouse gas emissions; and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by improving air 
quaiity and encouraging active transport such as walking and cycling. It also 
contributes to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, 
and Infrastructure) by facilitating the transition to cleaner technologies and more 
resiiient transport infrastructure.
It is high time that we review our transportation system holisticaily, and 
promote alternative modes which are sustainable and accessible to all. There is a need 
to balance people's transport needs with its environmental impact. This bill seeks to 
promote inclusive public transportation and alternative modes of mobility that ease


traffic congestion, reduce air pollution, and carbon emissions, iessen dependence on 
fossil fuels, and enhance overall mobility, pubiic health, and quality of life. It mandates 
the Department of Transportation, in coordination with the Department of Economy, 
Planning, and Development, to formulate a Sustainable Transport Action Pian that wili 
faciiitate this shift in transportation behavior and support the implementation of 
programs and infrastructure necessary to achieve it.
In view of the foregoing, approvai of this bill is earnestly requested.
PIA S. CAY^ANO


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. V81
I'ill i^ewate
of tiv'• rftar^
25 JUL 31 P4 M
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AND ALTERNATIVE MODES OF 
TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY OPTIONS TO IMPROVE AIR QUALITY, 
INCREASE EFFICIENCY, REDUCE CONGESTION, AND PROMOTE PUBLIC 
HEALTH
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assem bled:
1 
Section 1. Short Tide. - This Act shall be known as the "Sustainable
2 
Transportation Act."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policies. - It is the policy of the State to promote the
4 
general welfare and social justice in all phases of national development, to protect and
5 
advance the right of the Filipino people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord
6 
with the rhythm and harmony of nature, and to conserve and develop the patrimony
7 
of the nation. The State hereby adopts the following policies relative to the
8 
transportation system in our country, whether public or private:
9 
a) Promote a shift towards a safe, collective, efficient, non-congestive, non-
10 
pollutive, and healthful locomotion and transportation system that includes
11 
non-motorized transport;
12 
b) Increase mobility options of the general public and promote the use of
13 
alternative modes of transportation such as walking, biking, and the use of
14 
public transportation;
15 
c) Properly plan and establish facilities and infrastructures that will respond to
16 
this paradigm shift in the transportation system; 
and


1 
d) Establish its plans and programs in conformity with the overall national land
2 
use plan as well as the local comprehensive land use plans.
3 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
4 
a) Bicycle refers to any human-powered vehicle with two tandem wheels, at
5 
least one of which has a diameter greater than 14 inches and is designed
6 
to be ridden by a person;
7 
b) Motor vehicle refers to any self-propelled vehicle or any vehicle powered by
8 
a source other than muscular power. This does not include an electric
9 
bicycle;
10 
c) Public transportation refers to shared passenger transportation services that
11 
are available for use by the general public. These include, but is not limited
12 
to, buses, trams, trains, rapid transit, and ferries;
13 
d) Walkways refer to a paved path for pedestrians alongside streets, these
14 
may include, but is not limited to, sidewalks, footpaths, pedestrian
15 
overpasses, or underpasses, and other similar facilities that ensure safe and
16 
convenient movement on foot;
17 
e) Sustainable transport refers to any means of transport that is accessible,
18 
safe, environment-friendly, and affordable. It includes, but is not limited to,
19 
walking, cycling, transit-oriented development, green vehicles, carpooling,
20 
and building or protecting urban transport systems that are fuel-efficient,
21 
space-saving, and promote healthy lifestyles; and
22 
f) Travel demand management refers to a set of tools to offer people better
23 
travel information and opportunities to help people choose to reduce their
24 
need to travel, especially by car.
25 
Sec. 4. Sustainable Transport Action Plan. -The Department of Transportation
26 
(DOTr), in coordination with the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development
27 
(DEPDev), shall establish a Sustainable Transport Action Plan which aims to provide a
28 
roadmap for national and local transportation system, to be adhered to at all Local
29 
Government Units (LGUs) throughout the country.
30 
The plan should take a holistic approach, taking into consideration not only the
31 
impact on infrastructures, but also its effect on health, environment, economy, and
32 
livelihood of the people.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
It shall also include strategies to improve parking, public transport, cycling, 
walking, and transport infrastructure, among others. An action plan shall also be 
drafted, with a timeline in achieving the target transition to alternative modes of 
transportation, as identified by DOTr and DEPDev.
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 other similar mobility devices. 
For primary and secondary roads, there shall be an allotted three (3) meters for the 
sidewalks. If the allocation of space for such infrastructure is not feasible and 
implementation proves impractical, an elevated footbridge shall be installed in its 
place. The concerned local government unit (LGU) shall be responsible for its 
construction 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 the primary mobility option to the 
general public, within twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act. The 
government shall study and implement best practices in public transportation to 
address the impacts of being a petroleum-based economy, including environmental 
degradation, financial instability, high energy costs, pollution, and urban poverty.
Sec. 7. Establishment of a "Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System. "-The DOTr within 
twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act, shall conduct a study on 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 engaged with to develop or utilize existing 
facilities such as parks, parking lots, and bus depots, which will serve as large collective 
transportation terminals where people can park their cars, bikes, and other mobility 
devices to 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 with jurisdiction over a body of water, 
led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in coordination 
with the DOTr, shail explore the establishment of a ferry system in navigable bodies 
of water which may be operated by the said authority or bidded out to a private


1 
contractor. The possibility of interconnecting said waterways shall also be considered
2 
to enhance route efficiency and accessibility.
3 
Sec. 9. Travel Demand Management Programs. - The DOTr, in coordination
4 
with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Education
5 
(DepEd), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and one representative each from
6 
the civil society, transport sector and the youth, shall come up with guidelines on
7 
travel demand management programs that will reduce the volume of cars and
8 
motorized transport in the roads, as well as enhance and encourage students and
9 
workers to use the public transport system. These shall include, but are not limited to,
10 
the following:
11 
a) Carpool, vanpool, and other car-share projects;
12 
b) Congestion pricing measures;
13 
c) Programs to promote telecommunication;
14 
d) Flexible work schedules, or satellite work centers;
15 
e) Transport program for government employees; and
16 
f) Intelligent transportation systems or other operational improvements that
17 
are certified by the DENR to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
18 
This shall be completed within twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this
19 
Act.
20 
Sec. 10. Designation of Bicycle Lanes. - A portion of the roadway or highway
21 
shall be designated as "bicycle lanes" by the LGU having jurisdiction over such
22 
roadway or highway, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and
23 
Highways (DPWH), within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act.
24 
The designated bicycle lanes shall be for the preferential or exclusive use of
25 
bicycles. The bicycle lanes shall be made identifiable by striping with signing or striping
26 
with pavement markings. As much as practicable, permanent bicycle lanes and
27 
walkways shall be physically separated from the main road through physical barriers,
28 
or shall be elevated or otherwise constructed separately from the main road.
29 
These bicycle lanes shall not be obstructed by a parked or standing motor
30 
vehicle or any other stationary object.


1 
Sec. 11. Provision of Bicycle Parking Spaces and Bike Racks. - Owners of the
2 
following establishments are hereby required to provide bicycle racks and parking
3 
spaces:
4 
a) For non-residential use with gross floor area larger than seven thousand five
5 
hundred (7,500) square feet;
6 
b) Multiple-family dwellings when twelve (12) or more are provided on a lot;
7 
and
8 
c) Public parking lots.
9 
The DOTr shall establish guidelines on the minimum supply of bicycle parking
10 
spaces in buildings and other facilities, taking into consideration the population of the
11 
short-term or long-term dwellers in the area, within six (6) months from the effectivity
12 
of this Act.
13 
Sec. 12. Facilities. - The DOTr, in coordination with the DPWH and the LGUs
14 
concerned, shall carry out an investment program that will encourage the construction
15 
of different facilities to promote convenient and safe options to bike and walk for
16 
routine travel and for other purposes, to promote a shift to sustainable transport within
17 
selected communities. This shall be completed within twelve (12) months from the
18 
effectivity of this Act.
19 
Sec. 13. Education and Research Programs. -The DOTr shall undertake studies
20 
and research initiatives on emerging trends on sustainable development. It shall
21 
disseminate relevant information to car owners, drivers, and commuters to promote
22 
awareness and behavioral shift toward sustainable mobility. The DOTr shall also
23 
provide technical assistance and other necessary resources to government agencies
24 
and private sector stakeholders involved in the development and operation of the
25 
transport system.
26 
Sec. 14. Financing. -The DOTr, in coordination with the DENR, shall explore
27 
and pursue opportunities to access international environmental financing mechanisms
28 
and climate-related funding sources. These funds shall be utilized to support the
29 
development of sustainable public transport systems and the promotion of cleaner,
30 
less polluting energy sources. Public-private partnerships shall also be encouraged in
31 
the development of transportation improvements.


1 
Sec. 15. Separability Cause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
2 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall
3 
remain in force and effect.
4 
Sec. 16. Repealing Cause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
5 
order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this
6 
Act is hereby repeaied or modified accordingly.
7 
Sec. 17. Effectivity Cause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following
8 
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,