Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES

‘Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Reguiar Session

House BILLNO,_9O79

Introduced by: HONORABLE JUAN EDGARDO M, ANGARA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill is a counterpart of Senate Bill 2936 entitled “An Act Promoting Sustainable and
Alternative Modes of Transportation and Others Mobility Options to Improve Air Quality Increase
Efficiency, Reduce Congestion and Contribute to Positive Health Impact in Our Society” also
known as “Sustainable Transportation Act of 2011" of the good Senator Pia S$. Cayetano. This.
author agrees with the Honorable Senator that it is an opportune time to rethink our lifestyle and
recognize its effects in the environment. Our choice of mode of transport and mobility has a
great impact in the state of our traffic in the streets and our air pollution level, thus, the need to
Provide alternative options in our means of transportation.

By providing well-planned systems for walking, and cycling, as an alternative to driving
to work or school, we minimize consumption on gas and thereby limit emitted pollutants,
and cut down travel costs. On top of this, it encourages the public te become more active and
reap the rewards of better health - physically and mentally. An excellent public transportation
system, on the other hand, will promote commuting and carpooling, thus also lessen the number
of motor vehicles in the streets ensuing cleaner ait and a more efficient traffic system. Thus, it
will be easier and less stressful to navigate our streets.

With the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, touted as the first and most comprehensive in
Asia, already in place to minimize our dependence on gas, this counterpart bill further helps to
do so with additional benefit of promoting active lifestyle among the people.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is eamestly sought.

Lone District of Aurora


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

31

Be
House BiLLNo. 9979

c

Introduced by: HONORABLE JUAN EDGARDO M. ANGARA

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 of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. -The Act shall be known as the "Sustainable Transportation
Act of 2011."

SECTION 2. Declaration of 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 Filipino 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 shi towards a safe, collective, efficient, non
congestive, non-pollutive, and healthful locomotion and transportation system
that includes non-motorized transport;

b,) The Stato 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
public transportation;

©) 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 as well as the loca} comprehensive land use plans.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - The following terms shall have their respective
meanings:

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 14 inches in
diameter.

b.) "Motor vehicle" means a self-propelled vehicle or any vehicle propelled by any
power other than muscular power. The term does not include an electric bicycle.

¢.) “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. !t includes walking and
cycling, transit-oriented development, green vehicles, carpooling, and building or protecting
urban transport systems that are fuetefficient, space-saving and promote healthy lifestyles.
f) "Travel demand management’ (TOM) 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.

SECTION 4. Sustainable Transport Action Plan. - The Department of Transportation
and Communication (DOTC), in coordination with the National Economic Development
Authority (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 shifl target over a certain period of time as identified by
DOTC and NEDA

SECTION §&. installation of Walkways. - Adequate sidewalk areas must be maintained
on ali roads as walkways to allow safe pedestrian passage and for the safe and
convenient use of wheelchairs, strollers and similar instruments. 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 instalied. This shal! be provided by the focal govemment
unit (LOU) concemed within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 6. Public Transportation - The DOTC 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 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.

SECTION 7. Commissioning of a “Bus Rapid Transit {BRT} System" - The
Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) 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 tong-distance
transportation system with coordinated schedules, rates, routes, and pick-up and drop-
off points. The LOU and the private sector, including but not limite¢ 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 peopie can park their cars and bikes and take the buses to their destinations.

SECTION 8. Establishment of a Water Ferry System. - As much as practicable, the
national agencies and water regulatory bodies in charge of a water body led by the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in coordination with the
DOTC, shall 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 contractor. The
possibility of interconnecting said waterways shall also be considered,

SECTION 9. Travel Demand Management Programs. - The DOTC, 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;

c.) programs to promote telecommuting;

.} flexible work schedules, or satellite work centers;

e.) transport program for government employees; and

f.) intelligent transportation systems or other operational improvements that are certified by the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.

This shall be completed within tweive (12) months from the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 10. Designation of Bike Lanes. — A portion of the roadway or highway shall
be designated as “bike lanes” by the LGU having jurisdiction over such roadway or highway in
coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) within six (6) months
from the effectivity of this Act.

The designated bike lanes shail be for the preferential or exclusive use of bicycles. These bike
lanes shall not be obstructed by a parked or standing motor vehicle ar other stationary object.
The bike {anes shall be made identifiable by striping with signing or striping with pavement
markings.

SECTION 11. Provision of Bicycle Parking Spaces and Bike Racks. - Bicycle
parking spaces and bike racks are hereby required to be provided by owners of establishments
that are:

a.) For non-residential use with grass floor area larger than 7,500 square feet;
b.) Multiple-family dwellings when 12 or mote are provided on a lot;
¢.) Public parking lots,

The DOTC shall establish guidelines on the minimum supply of bicycle parking spaces in
buildings and other facilities, taking into consideration the population of the short-term or long
term dwellers in the area, within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 12, Facilities. — The DOTC, in coordination with the DPWH and the LGUs
concemed, 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.

SECTION 13. Education and Research Programs. — The DOTC shail conduct studies
abd resercesm 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 as well as
commuters on aspects of sustainable transport that are relatively new. It shall also provide
technical assistance and other resources to the government and private sector involved in the
transport system.

SECTION 14, Financing. - The DOTC, in coordination with the DENR, shall explore the
possibility of assessing a growing range of global environmental 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.

SECTION 18. Implementing Agency. — The DOTC shall be the main implementing
agency of this Act.

SECTION 46. Separability Clause. — Should any provision herein be subsequently
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity or legality of the other
provisions sot so declared


SECTION 17. Repeating Clause. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with,
the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SECTION 18, Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,