EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
S E N A T E  
S. No. 
6 6
of lijf j&rirrtorp
■19 
JUL-1 
P I 142
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
RECE.;.
AN ACT
PROMOTING 
SUSTAINABLE 
AND 
ALTERNATIVE 
MODES 
OF 
TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER M OBILITY OPTIONS TO IMPROVE A IR  
QUALITY, 
INCREASE 
EFFICIENCY, 
REDUCE 
CONGESTION 
AND 
CONTRIBUTE TO POSITIVE HEALTH IMPACTS IN  OUR SOCIETY
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Transport plays a significant role in spurring economic development and 
reducing poverty. Transport is a vital part of the activities, goods, and services 
required to support and improve people's lives. At the same time, however, it also 
consumes resources and imposes negative side effects. Carbon monoxide, a type of 
toxic gas emitted by cars and other motor vehicles, is largely responsible for the 
smog and air pollution in the country as well as respiratory diseases, headaches, and 
other ailments. The fuel used to run cars and motor vehicles is costing the 
Philippines more than One Billion Pesos a day. Our dependence on imported fossil 
fuels has a multiplier effect in the prices of basic commodities, goods and services. 
The heavy reliance on motor vehicles promotes an unhealthy lifestyle as the public 
has become sedentary, refusing to walk or bike even short distances. In practically 
all of the major cities of the country, this is causing terrible traffic congestion, 
unnecessary stress, and even countless accidents resulting in loss of life and limb.
It is high time that we revisit this way of thinking and lifestyle or else our 
environment and health continue to suffer. There has to be a balance that will 
enable people's transport needs to be met in a way that neither harms them not


depletes resources. There are different available mobility options that our 
government can explore in order to serve our people's changing transport needs, 
unclog the streets and improve our efficiency as a nation -  walking, cycling, use of 
public transportation, etc. The government must provide for the creation of a safe, 
convenient, inexpensive, collective, efficient, non-congestive, non-pollutive, and 
healthful locomotion and transportation system for the benefit of the Filipino people.
This bill seeks to develop sustainable and alternative modes of transportation 
in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lessen energy consumption, use 
precious urban area efficiently, reduce time and travel costs as well as promote an 
active lifestyle. It mandates the Department of Transportation and Communication 
(DOTC), in coordination with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), 
to develop a plan that will encourage this mode shift and promote programs and 
infrastructure that will pave the way for the same.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.
PIA S. CAYfA nO


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E  
S. No. 
66
o( iljf
■19 JUL-1 PI :42
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
RiZ'-C,
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 o f Representatives o f the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. -  The Act shall be known as the "Sustainable
2 
Transportation Act."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policies. -  In conformity with the provisions of the
4 
Constitution to promote the general welfare and social justice in all phases of national
5 
development, to protect and advance the right of the Filipino people to a balanced and
6 
healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature, and to conserve
7 
and develop the patrimony of the nation, the State hereby adopts the following policies
8 
relative to the transportation system in our country, whether public or private:
9 
a) The State shall promote a shift towards a safe, collective, efficient, non-
10 
congestive, non-pollutive, and healthful locomotion and transportation system
11 
that includes non-motorized transport;
12 
b) The State shall increase mobility options of the general public and promote
13 
the use of alternative modes of transportation such as walking, biking and the
14 
use of public transportation;
15 
c) The State shall properly plan and establish facilities and infrastructures that
16 
will respond to this paradigm shift in the transportation system; and
17 
d) The State shall establish its plans and programs in conformity with the overall
18 
national land use plan as well as the local comprehensive land use plans.


1 
Sec. 3. Definition o f Terms. -  The following terms shall have their respective
2 
meanings:
3 
a) Bicycle -  refers to a device that a person may ride that is propelled by human
4 
power and has two tandem wheels at least one of which is more than 14
5 
inches in diameter.
6 
b) Motor vehicle- means a self-propelled vehicle or any vehicle propelled by any
7 
power other than muscular power. The term does not include an electric
8 
bicycle.
9 
c) Public transportation -  means a shared passenger transportation service
10 
which is available for use by the general public. These include buses, trams,
11 
trains, rapid transit and ferries.
12 
d) Walkways- means a paved path for pedestrians alongside streets.
13 
e) Sustainable transport- means any means of transport with low impact on the
14 
environment, accessible, safe, environment-friendly, and affordable. It
15 
includes walking and cycling, transit oriented development, green vehicles,
16 
carpooling, and building or protecting urban transport systems that are fuel-
17 
efficient, space-saving and promote healthy lifestyles.
18 
f) 
Travel demand management (TDM) -  means a set of tools to offer people
19 
better travel information and opportunities and help people choose to reduce
20 
their need to travel especially by car.
21 
Sec. 4. Sustainable Transport Action Plan. -  The Department of Transportation
22 
(DOTr), in coordination with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), shall
23 
come up with a Sustainable Transport Action Plan which aims to provide a roadmap for
24 
national and local transportation system to be adhered to at ail levels throughout the
25 
country.
26 
The Plan should include a holistic approach that shall take into consideration not
27 
only the impact on infrastructures, but also its effect on health, the environment, the
28 
economy, and the means of livelihood of the people.
29 
The Sustainable Transport Action Plan shall include strategies relating to parking,
30 
public transport, cycling, walking and transport infrastructure, and will set out the
31 
actions required to achieve the mode shift target over a certain period of time as
32 
identified by DOTr and NEDA.


1 
Sec. 5. Installation o f Walkways. -  Adequate sidewalk areas must be maintained
2 
on all roads as walkways to allow safe pedestrian passage and for the safe and
3 
convenient use of wheelchairs, strollers and similar instruments. For primary and
4 
secondary roads, there shall be allotted three (3) meters for the sidewalks. If there is no
5 
space allocated for such and the implementation will prove difficult, in lieu thereof, an
6 
elevated footbridge must be installed. This shall be provided by the local government
7 
unit (LGU) concerned within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act.
8 
Sec. 6. Public Transportation. -  The DOTr shall provide guidelines that will
9 
promote a shift towards public transportation as a primary mobility option to the general
10 
public, within twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act. Better public
11 
transportation initiatives shall be studied and implemented in an effort to reduce the
12 
impact of the declining oil economy on our environment and financial markets as well as
13 
help reduce energy costs, pollution and even urban poverty.
14 
Sec. 7. Commissioning o f a "Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System. /,-T he DOTr shall,
15 
within twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act, come up with a study
16 
commissioning the creation of a Bus Rapid Transit System which will organize buses into
17 
one efficient long-distance transportation system with coordinated schedules, rates,
18 
routes, and pick-up and drop-off points. The LGU and the private sector, including but
19 
not limited to mall owners and bus companies, can be tapped in order to put up or use
20 
existing facilities such as parks, parking lots, and bus depots that will serve as large
21 
collective transportation terminals where people can park their cars and bikes and take
22 
the buses to their destinations.
23 
Sec. 8. Establishment o f a Water Ferry System. -  As much as practicable, the
24 
national agencies and water regulatory bodies in charge of a water body led by the
25 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in coordination with the
26 
DOTr, shall explore the establishment of a ferry system in navigable bodies of water
27 
which may be operated by the said authority or bidded out to a private contractor. The
28 
possibility of interconnecting said waterways shall also be considered.
29 
Sec. 9. Travel Demand Management Programs. -T he DOTr, in coordination with
30 
the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Education (DepEd),
31 
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and one representative each from the civil
32 
society, transport sector and the youth, shall come up with guidelines on travel demand
33 
management programs that will reduce the volume of cars and motorized transport in


1 
the roads as well as enhance and encourage students and workers to use the public
2 
transport system. These shall include, but is not limited to, the following:
3 
a) carpool, vanpool, or car-share projects;
4 
b) congestion pricing measures;
5 
c) programs to promote telecommuting;
6 
d) flexible work schedules, or satellite work centers;
7 
e) transport program for government employees; and
8 
f) intelligent transportation systems or other operational improvements that are
9 
certified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to
10 
reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
11 
This shall be completed within twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act.
12 
Sec. 10. Designation o f Bike Lanes. -  A portion of the roadway or highway shall
13 
be designated as "bike lanes" by the LGU having jurisdiction over such roadway or
14 
highway, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH),
15 
within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act.
16 
The designated bike lanes shall be for the preferential or exclusive use of
17 
bicycles. These bike lanes shall not be obstructed by a parked or standing motor vehicle
18 
or other stationary object. The bike lanes shall be made identifiable by striping with
19 
signing or striping with pavement markings.
20 
Sec. 11. Provision o f Bicycle Parking Spaces and Bike Racks. -  Bicycle parking
21 
spaces and bike racks are hereby required to be provided by owners of establishments
22 
that are:
23 
a) For non-residential use with gross floor area larger than 7,500 square feet;
24 
b) Multiple-family dwellings when 12 or more are provided on a lot; and
25 
c) Public parking lots.
26 
The DOTr shall establish guidelines on the minimum supply of bicycle parking
27 
spaces in buildings and other facilities, taking into consideration the population of the
28 
short-term or long-term dwellers in the area, within six (6) months from the effectivity
29 
of this Act.
30 
Sec. 12. Facilities. -  The DOTr, in coordination with the DPWH and the LGUs
31 
concerned, shall carry out an investment program that will encourage a mode shift to
32 
sustainable transport within selected communities by providing safe and convenient


1 
options to bicycle and walk for routine travel, and for other purposes. This shall be
2 
completed within twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act.
3 
Sec. 13. Education and Research Programs. -  The DOTr shall conduct studies
4 
and researches, and eventually supply information to the car-owning and -riding public
5 
as well as commuters on aspects of sustainable transport that are relatively new. It shall
6 
also provide technical assistance and other resources to government agencies and
7 
private sector involved in the transport system.
8 
Sec. 14. Financing. -T h e  DOTr, in coordination with the DENR, shall explore the
9 
possibility of accessing a growing range of global environment funds in order to be able
10 
to assist in the funding of sustainable public transport systems and less polluting energy
11 
supplies. Public-private partnerships shall also be encouraged in the development of
12 
transportation improvements.
13 
Sec. 15. Impiementing Agency. -  The DOTr shall be the main implementing
14 
agency for this Act.
15 
Sec. 16. Separabiiity Clause. -  Should any provision herein be subsequently
16 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity or the legality
17 
of the other provisions not so declared.
18 
Sec. 17. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
19 
rules and regulations, other issuances, and parts thereof, which are inconsistent with
20 
the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed and modified accordingly.
21 
Sec. 18. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication
22 
in at least (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,