NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No. ^50
of tl',e fc’uu\*nn)
*22 JUL 12 A10 31
Rfc'CElVED Bv.
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
TO ENSURE EASIER COMMUTING BY ESTABLISHING A NETWORK OF 
SUSTAINABLE ELEVATED WALKWAYS ALONG ALL MAJOR PUBLIC 
THOROUGHFARES IN HIGH DENSITY URBAN AREAS, ESTABLISHING 
APPROPRIATE INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES, APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Elevated walkways are an effective response to overcrowding and urban 
chaos.1 Their primary purpose is to encourage commuters to walk instead of taking 
motorized transportation by connecting pedestrians from one consumer activity to the 
next. Some small-scale examples include the moving walkway systems such as the 
"Skylink" system at Manchester Airport, United KIngaom, which link airport terminals 
to railway stations.2 Another key example is the Central Elevated Walkway which spans 
Admiralty, Central and parts of Sheung Wan in Hong Kong.
Elevated walkways can be observed in some parts of Metro Manila. This 
includes the elevated walkways In Makati which connects important parts of the central 
t^dsiness district. However, more needs to be done to mainstream elevated walkways 
as part of our urban infrastructure.
1 SeeRotrneyer, Can Elevated Pedestrian Walkways be Sustainable? inlhe Sustainable City IV: 
Urban Regeneration and Sustainability 293-302 (2006), available at
http://www.witpress.eom/Secure/elibrary/papers/SC06/SC06028FUl.pdf (accessed on Aug. 31, 
2016).
2 See, e.g., Transpennine Express, Manchester Airport Travel Links,
https://www.tpexpress.co.uk/train-destinations/manchester-airport/travel-links/ (accessed on Aug. 
31, 2016); World Travel Guide, Manchester Airport Guide,
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/manchester/manchester-airport (accessed on Aug. 31, 2016).


The necessity and importance of elevated walkways became especially 
apparent when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country. Its early stages, which were 
characterized by strict lockdowns and stringent enforcement of social distancing rules, 
revealed the urgent need for alternative modes of transportation and mobility in the 
country due to the scarcity of transportation services tnat could cater to the particular 
exigencies of the time. The current situation is aggravated by the fact that there are 
only a few elevated pedestrian walkways in Metro Manila, such as the Ortigas Elevated 
Walkways and Plaza, which stretches to 320 meters and located along the Julia Vargas 
Avenue In Pas»g,3 and the De La Rosa Elevated Walkway, which stretches to 1,110 
meters and covers a significant portion of the Makati Central Business District.4 And 
while other walkway projects have also been recently greenlit, they are confined only 
to some portions of the Metro.5
Thus, this bill seeks to establish a network of sustainable elevated pedestrian 
walkways in all major public thoroughfares In high density urban areas. For the 
walkways to be successful, they must be fully sustainable on all accounts: socially, 
economically and environmentally.6 Studies show that high density, connectivity, and 
quality of life comprise the three topmost elements in maintaining a sustainable 
elevated walkway system.7 The ultimate goal is to create a safe, comfortable, well- 
connected quality of life above the ground (grade) level, reclaiming without killing the 
street.8
3 See ANCX Staff, This green Pasig walkway and place wins prestigious architecture prize, available at 
news.abs-cbn.eom/ancx/culture/spotlight/03/08/21/this-green-paslg-walkway-and-plaza-wins- 
prestigious-architecture-prize (accessed on June 13, 2022).
4 See ABS-CBN News, Makati's elevated walkway is now country's longest, available at news.abs- 
cbn.com/news/lV28/16/makatis-elevated-walkway-is-now-countr/s-longest (accessed on June 13, 
2022).
5 See B. Laforga and A. Balinbin, EDSA walkway project to start in Jan, available at 
https://www.bworldonline.eom/editors-picks/2020/12/15/334009/edsa-walkway-project-to-start-in- 
jan/ (accessed on June 13, 2022).
6 See Rotmeyer, supra note 1, at 294.
7 Id. at 301.
8 Id.


Furtherf elevated walkways must be interlinked in a manner that connects 
pedestrian movement to retail, residential, commerciai, and business activities, as well 
as, adopt essential access points that facilitate pedestrian entry to and exit from 
ground level walkways. They must also make optimal use of densities and cater to the 
largest percentage of people in a given area. Finally, such a system must also address 
safety, pollution, law enforcement activity, and social inclusion (especially fo" PWDs), 
as well as consider right-of-way (ROW) and air rights issues and legal easements.
We envision sustainable elevated walkways as an integral part of a larger, more 
comprehensive solution to the traffic and transport crisis of Metro Manila and affected 
urban areas. The draft bill also calls for the establishment of a "sustainable elevated 
walkway program", which will include educational and awareness programs on 
elevated walkway safety and use, health benefits, and social and economic benefits 
of aerial walkways.
Thus, the immediate approval of this measure is eagerly sought.
GRACE POj


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OE THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No. 330
|;s; fenwlf
of ti)f fi". ;i r:av)j
*22 JUL 12 A10 31
RHCEIVED BY.
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
TO ENSURE EASIER COMMUTING BY ESTABLISHING A NETWORK OF 
SUSTAINABLE ELEVATED WALKWAYS ALONG ALL MAJOR PUBLIC 
THOROUGHFARES IN HIGH DENSITY URBAN AREAS, ESTABLISHING 
APPROPRIATE INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES, APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembied:
1 
Section 1. Short Tide. - This Act shall be known as the "Sustainable Elevated
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Walkways Act of 2022".
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Sec. 2. Deciaration of Poiicy. - It is the policy of the State to establish a
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sustainable network of safe, secure, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing elevated
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pedestrian walkways which separate pedestrians frum vehicular movement, link
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pedestrians to public transit, integrate human activity with the built environment, and
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allow for a continuous flow of movement, without interruption from vehicular traffic,
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stop lights, and pollution.
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It is likewise a policy of the State to establish elevated pedestrian networks that
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are fully sustainable on all accounts, that is, socially, economically, and
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environmentally, to achieve a well-connected quality of life above the ground layer.
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High density, connectivity, and quality of life comprise the three topmost elements in
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maintaining a sustainable elevated walkway system.
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Towards this end, the State shall promote the use of sustainable elevated
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walkway networks and walkway facilities through a comprehensive elevated walkway
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program. The State shall ensure that the needs and safety of all pedestrians are fully


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integrated into the planning, design, operation, and maintenance of the country's areal
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walkway networks.
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Sec. 3. Elevated Walkways. -There shall be designated elevated walkways in
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all major public thoroughfares in high density urban areas, consisting of enclosed or
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covered footbridges serving as exclusive access-ways for pedestrians, under the
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parameters set forth in this Act.
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Elevated walkways which utilize air rights above the road rights-of-way
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(RROWs), being part of the public domain, shall be considered public spaces. Motor
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and non-motor vehicles are prohibited from being driven or parked on all such
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walkways.
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The design, purposes, and specifications of elevated walkways to be
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established under this Act shall be governed by the following standards:
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a. Continuous flow - Elevated walkways must maintain a continuous flow of
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pedestrian movement throughout the day and night, allowing pedestrians to
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move freely without vehicular congestion and Interruptions from traffic lights
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and intersections. Way-finding provisions and directional signages shall
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facilitate flow within the system;
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b. High density and accessibility - The design and location of elevated walkways
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must maximize the use of high density areas in order to relieve pressure from
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overcrowded streets by catering to the largest percentage of pedestrians
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throughout urban areas at any given time, displacing ground-level pedestrian
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movement to several levels, and enhancing movement within city centers. They
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must also be accessible and permeable to pedestrians in order to ensure that
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a large segment of the walking public is served by the project.;
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c. Temperature control and comfortabUity - Elevated pedestrian routes must
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provide climatically controlled continuous spaces, provide both comfort and
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relief from extreme temperatures associated with hot, humid, and wet climates,
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distance pedestrians from vehicular pollution and vehicular contact, and adopt
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measures that maximize the use of shaded, cool, open-air zones. Both passive
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cooling techniques and artificial ventilation devices shall be used in a
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sustainable manner;


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d. Connectivity - Elevated walkways must be interlinked in a manner that
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connects pedestrian movement to retail, residential, commercial, and business
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activities and locations, as well as adopt essential access points that facilitate
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pedestrian entry to and exit from ground (grade) level walkways;
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e. Safety and transparency- Elevated walkways must directly address issues of
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pedestrian safety and transparency, including the separation of pedestrians
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from vehicular traffic, exposure to natural hazards, and compliance with
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disaster resilience and mitigation standards;
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f. Environmentai sustainability - The Program must maintain adequate spatial
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standards between the existing environment and all urban intervention under
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this Act; address potential ground floor decay and abandoned space' provide
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necessary safeguards and protection to walkway users who will be exposed to
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both air and noise pollution; and establish public address systems designed to
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warn all users of encountering such pollution upon entering and using the
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walkways. Energy and water conservation as well as solid waste management
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shall be the key sustainability features of the system;
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g. Social inclusivity - Elevated walkway networks must be socially inclusive by
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addressing potential social separation caused by the introduction of aerial
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walkways in areas of different income classes, and by accommodating persons
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with disability (PWDs) through the Installation of structural and vertical access
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facilities that reasonably enhance their mobility consistently with existing
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disability laws. Including, without limitation, B.P. Big. 344, otherwise known as
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the Accessibility Law, and R.A. No. 7277, as amended, otherwise known as the
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Magna Carta for Disabled Persons;
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h. Right-of-way interfacing-Ihe. design and establishment of elevated v/alkways
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must consider affected portions of the road right-of-way and other key portions
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of the public domain. Of particular importance are the interfaces with grade
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level sidewalks allotted for exclusive use by pedestrians, for the elevated
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walkway supports/foundation and for the vertical access system; air rights
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directly above the sidewalks; required space for connectors that shall utilize air
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rights above the carriageway portion allotted for the exclusive use of vehicles
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using the road right-of-way; connection of air rights above the sidewalks at


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opposite sides of the road right-of-way; legal easements and their air rights 
along waterways In a manner that would enable such easements to host 
elevated walkways consistent with of P.D. No. 1067 (s. 1976), otherwise known 
as the Water Code, and R.A. No. 10752, otherwise known as the "The Right- 
of-Way Act".
I. Vertical Access System - As elevated walkways may have finished floor 
elevations above sidewalk surfaces, vertical access systems shall be established 
to connect the walkways to ground level pedestrians. Vertical access systems 
established under this Act shall include, without limitation, elevators, stairs, and 
escalators that shall be gender-sensitive, soclally-inclusive, elongated and 
appropriately sloped, and constructed in a manner that will not unduly constrict 
connecting sidewalks. Sidewalks adjacent to elevated walkways shall give way 
to pedestrian drop-off areas catering to public transport commuters and private 
vehicle riders who desire to avail of vertical access systems to reach elevated 
walkway systems;
j. Support facilities- Elevated walkway systems shall include the construction and 
regular maintenance of support facilities, such as bicycle parking lots, adequate 
lighting, crime prevention facilities and well-lit patrolling space for law 
enforcement personnel, closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera systems, 
access to restrooms, and adequate drainage. The maintenance of pedestrian 
infrastructure and functional public spaces above the street level shall be a 
requisite for sustainable elevated walkways;
k. Active policing - Elevated walkway networks established under this Act must 
provide for the administration of active policing and law enforcement 
coordination to prevent obstructions and nuisances;
l. 
Adaptability to future technology - Elevated walkway structures shall be 
designed in ways that will render them adaptable to future technology and 
technological capacity, including the capacity to be later fitted with walkalators 
to Increase pedestrian capacity; and
m. Expandability - Elevated walkway networks must provide for both horizontal 
and vertical expandability to accommodate increases in capacity.


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SEC. 4. Sustainable Elevated Walkway Program. - The Department of Public
2 
Works and Highways (DPWH) shall establish a comprehensive sustainable elevated
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walkway program fthe Program,,) to promote tlie establishment and use of
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sustainable networks of aerial pedestrian walkways along EDSA and major public
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thoroughfares in high density urban areas throughout the country. This Program shall
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be governed by the key indicators and standards set forth in the preceding section
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and in the provisions of this Act.
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To promote the objectives of this Act, the DPWH, in cooperation with the
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Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and affected local
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governments, shall establish educational and awareness programs on elevated
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walkway safety and use, general pedestrian safety, pedestrian infrastructure, health
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benefits, quality of life, and social and economic benefits of aerial walkways.
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Sec. 5. Prohibited Acts. - The use of elevated walkways and vertical access
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systems for commercial and personal purposes shall be prohibited. Such prohibited
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acts Include but are not limited to the following:
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a. Driving or parking motor and non-motor vehicles on all such walkways,
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including its vertical access points and drop-off areas;
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b. Aims or donation-seeking activities;
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c. Doing house chores such as washing clothes, hanging clothes, and bathing;
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d. Repair of vehicles of all types;
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e. Dumping garbage;
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f. Sports, games, and amusements;
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g. Use of walkway to install pens of animals or keep animals in chains or tether;
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h. Holding picnics/gatherings or storage of foodstuffs and beverages for such
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gatherings;
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i. Drinking liquor;
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j. Storing of junks and recyclable materials;
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k. Storage of construction materials for sale (pipes, tubings, lumber, cement, and
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the like);
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I. House extension or stall/store extension including installation of roofs or
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awnings;
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m. Installation of temporary or permanent fences;


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n. use of waiKways for plants, trees and plant boxes;
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o. Signs or signboards aoove sidewalks and detached from the business
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establishment;
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p. Any otner purpose wnicn violates tne standaras enumeratea in Seaion 3.
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Sec. 6. Obstructions as nuisance perse. - Without prejudice to the prosecution
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of prohibited acts defined under the immediately preceding section, all obstructions
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along elevated walkways are hereby presumed or declared nuisances perse and, as
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such, are subject to summary abatement without need of judicial proceedings.
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Obstructions Include any structure, permanent or otherwise, movable or
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immovable, erected along, standing on, abutting or in any manner impeding safe and
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convenient passage through any elevated walkway; Provided, That property of the
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government including structures erected or installed for the purpose of regulating the
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flow of traffic shall not be deemed obstructions.
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Sec. 7. Penalties. - The principal penalty for any violation of the provisions of
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this Act or Its Implementing rules shall be summary abatement, dismantling, forfeiture,
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and disposal of the obstruction to the walkway.
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In addition, any person, corporation, trust, fiim, partnership, association or
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entity found violating this Act or the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder
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shall be punished by a fine not less than Three Thousand pesos (P3,000.00) which
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shall accrue to the National Treasury, or imprisonment of not more than 30 days, or
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both, at the discretion of the court. When the offender is a juridical entity, the officers
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or agents responsible for the violation shall be meted with said penalties.
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Any officer of the duly designated enforcement agency who neglects or fails to
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enforce the provisions of this Act shall be administratively liable and in addition,
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punished by a fine of not less than Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00), without
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prejudice to the filing of other appropriate administrative charges.
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The Secretary may enlist the assistance of other departments or government
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agencies to carry out this section.
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Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days after this
30 
Act takes effect, a committee composed of the following members shall be created to
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formulate the draft implementing rules and regulations of this Act:


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a. The Secretary of DPWH, or an authorized representative, who shall serve as 
chair of the committee;
b. A representative from the Department of Transportation;
A representative from the Department of Budget and Management;
A representative from the National Economic and Development Authority;
A representative from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources;
f. A representative from the Metro Manila Development Authority;
g. A professor from the University of the Philippines School of Urban and Regional 
Planning;
h. Two (2) representatives from non-government organizations which advocate 
for alternative modes of transportation; and
i. 
Other representatives of concerned entities and organizations as determined 
by the committee as members.
Upon the release and consideration of the above draft implementing rules and 
regulations and in no case beyond six (6) months after this Act takes effect, the 
Secretary of DPWH shall promulgate and disseminate the implementing rules and 
regulations.
Sec. 9. Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, such amount 
as may be necessary Is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National 
Treasury. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continuous operation of the 
Program shall be Included in the annual appropriation of the DPWH.
Sec. 10. Separability Cause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof not affected thereby shall 
continue to be in full force and effect.
Sec. 11. Repeating Cause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of Instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or is 
inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
accordingly.
Sec. 12. Effectivity Cause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,