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Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HouSE BILL No. 6890

Introduced by
REPRESENTATIVE LOREN B. LEGARDA

AN ACT PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AND ALTERNATIVE MODES OF
TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER MOBILITY OPTIONS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Despite the Philippines being hailed as one of the fastest growing economies
worldwide, the country faces to lose P6 billion daily by 2030 due to the worsening
traffic problem according to a report by the Japan International Cooperation Agency
(JICA). In 2018, JICA also reported that traffic congestion in Metro Manila cost the
country P3.5 billion pesos of lost opportunities per day.

Not only does the traffic congestion impair the economy, but it aggravates the
already huge contribution of the transport sector to carbon dioxide emissions.
According to National Emissions Inventory in 2015, 88 percent of air pollution in the
National Capital Region (NCR) came from mobile sources such as cars, trucks,
motorcycles, and buses.

With the rapid progress of urbanization in the country, urban transport systems and
infrastructure become more complex, thereby posing more challenges in the mobility
of the populace. This bill seeks to address these immediate traffic and transport
issues through the establishment of an integrated and efficient transport system by
stimulating health consciousness through a culture of walking and cycling and
protecting the environment by subscribing to low-emission modes of transport.

In view of these considerations, urgent passage of this bill is earnestly requested.


Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House BILL No. 6890

Introduced by
REPRESENTATIVE LOREN B. LEGARDA

AN ACT PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AND ALTERNATIVE MODES OF
TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER MOBILITY OPTIONS

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.”

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 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;

¢.) 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 local 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.

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 systems that are fuel-
efficient, space-saving and promote healthy lifestyles.

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.

SECTION 4. Sustainable Transport Action Plan. — The Department of
Transportation (DOT?), in coordination with the National Economic Development
Authority (NEDA) and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), shall come
up with @ 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 Pian 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 over a certain period of time
as identified by DOTr and NEDA.

SECTION 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 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 installed. This shall be
provided by the local government unit (LGU) concerned within six (6) months from
the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 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 reduce the
impact of the declining oll 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 (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.

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 DOTr, shall explore the establishment of a ferry system in navigable bodies of
water which may be operated by the said authority or bid out to a private contractor.
The possibility of interconnecting said waterways shall also be considered.

SECTION 9. Travel Demand Management Programs. - 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;

c.) programs to promote telecommuting;

d.) 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 twelve (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 shall be for the preferential or exclusive use of bicycles.
These bike lanes shall not be obstructed by a parked or standing motor vehicle or
other stationary object. The bike lanes 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 gross floor area larger than 7,500 square feet;
b.) Multiple-family dwellings when 12 or more are provided on a lot;
cc.) Public parking lots.

The DOTr 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 DOTr, 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 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.

SECTION 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.

SECTION 15. Implementing Agency. — The DOT shall be the main implementing
agency for this Act.

‘SECTION 16. Separability ise. — Should any provision herein be subsequently
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity or the
legality of the other provisions not so declared.

SECTION 17. Repealing 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.

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

Approved,