EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. NO. 948
*19 
KUS20 P4«6
RECEl\-
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
AN ACT
PROMOTING 
SUSTAINABLE 
AND 
ALTERNATIVE 
MODES 
OF 
TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER MOBILITY OPTIONS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 9 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides:
"The State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will 
ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free 
people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social 
services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and 
an improved quality of life for all."
Traffic congestion impairs the economy and is one of the worsening and 
continuing problems of our country today. Filipinos suffer in their daily commute 
as a result of lengthy hours spent in the overcrowded thoroughfares of the 
country. Flence, resulting in the loss of profit and productivity.
The proposed bill seeks to reduce and address the traffic issue caused by the 
high volume of vehicles through the establishment of a comprehensive, inclusive, 
and efficient transportation system that promotes sustainable and alternative 
mobility options.


In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
MARIA LOURDES NANCY S. BINAY 
Senator


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. NO. 948
of t:;( jorcr.tarp
'19 AUG 20 P4«7
R E C tl'.-D E V :
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
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AN ACT
PROMOTING 
SUSTAINABLE 
AND 
ALTERNATIVE 
MODES 
OF 
TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER MOBILITY OPTIONS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. 
Transportation Act."
This Act shall be known as the "Sustainable
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policies. -  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 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 towards 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;
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(c) The State shall properly plan and establish facilities and 
infrastructures that will respond to this paradigm shift in 
the transportation system; and
(d) The State shall establish its plans and programs in 
conformity with the overall national land use plan and 
transportation 
plans 
by 
the 
National 
Economic 
and 
Development Authority (NEDA) as well as the local 
comprehensive land use plans.
Sec. 3. Definition o f Terms. -  The following terms shall be defined as
follows:
(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 fourteen (14) inches in 
diameter;
(b) "Motor vehicle" means a self-propelled vehicle or 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 which is available for use by the 
general public. These include buses, trams, trains, rapid 
transit and ferries;
(d) "Walkways" means a paved path for pedestrians alongside 
streets;
(e) "Sustainable transport" means 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


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systems that are fuel-efficient, low emissions and space­
saving and promote healthy lifestyles; and
(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 NEDA, shall come up with a 
Sustainable Transport Action Plan which aims to provide a roadmap for 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 and emission 
standards set over a certain period of time as identified by DOTr and NEDA.
Sec. 5. Installation o f Walkways. -  Adequate sidewalk areas must be 
maintained on all roads and walkways to allow safe pedestrian passage and for 
the safe and convenient use of wheelchairs, strollers and similar equipment. 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. 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


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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 o f a "Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Systenf. -  The 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 in order 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 o f a Water Ferry System. -  As much as practicable, 
water regulatory bodies 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. The possibility of 
interconnecting said waterways shall also be considered.
Sec. 9. Travel Demand Management Program. -  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 
is not limited to, the following:
(a) carpool, vanpool, or car-share projects;
(b) congestion pricing measures;
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(c) programs to promote telecommuting;
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(d) flexible work schedules, or satellite work centers;
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(e) transport program for government employees; and
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(f) 
intelligent transportation systems or other operational
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improvements that are certified by the DENR to reduce
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greenhouse gas emissions.
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This shall be completed within twelve (12) months from the effectivity of
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this Act.
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Sec. 10. Designation o f Bike Lanes. -  A portion of the roadway or highway
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shall be designated as "bike lanes" by the LGU having jurisdiction over such
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roadway or highway, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and
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Highways (DPWH), within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act.
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The designated bike lanes shall be for the preferential or exclusive use of
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bicycles. These bike lanes shall not be obstructed by a parked or standing motor
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vehicle or other stationary object. The bike lanes shall be made identifiable by
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striping with signing or striping with pavement markings.
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Sec. 11. Provision o f Bicycle Parking Spaces and Bike Racks. -  Bicycle
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parking spaces and bike racks are hereby required to be provided by owners of
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establishments that are:
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(a) For non-residential use with gross floor area larger than
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7,500 square feet;
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(b) Multiple-family dwellings when twelve (12) or more are
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provided on a lot;
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(c) Public parking lots.
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The DOTr shall establish guidelines on the minimum supply of bicycle
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parking spaces in buildings and other facilities, taking into consideration the
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population of the short-term or long-term dwellers in the area, within six (6)
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months from the effectivity of this Act.
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Sec. 12. Facilities. -  The DOTr, in coordination with the DPWH and the 
LCDs 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 researches, 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 private sector involved in the transport system.
Sec. 14. Financing. -  The DOTr, in coordination with the DENR, shall 
explore the possibility of accessing a growing range of global environment funds 
in order 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. -  If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other 
provisions hereof.
Sec. 17. Repeating 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.


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Sec. 18. Effectivity Clause. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
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after publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,