Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 6799

Introduced by: REP. Allan Benedict S. Reyes

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Philippines has tiken unprecedented
“Social distancing” measures to prevent physical interaction in the hope of slowing down
the spread of the virus. We have closed schools, malls, restaurants ind other recreation
centers. We have prohibited public gatherings and strongly advised companies to
implement work-from-home arrangements. We have also restricted tcavel and shut down
Public transportation in Luzon and other areas seriously affected by the virus.

Admittedly, it is very difficult to harmonize the concepts of social distancing and
‘mass transit. Tt requires more stringent physical distancing mesures and sweeping
adjustments that may require a lot of resources which, however, may not be utilized te
full capacity. For instance, in other countries where forms of niass transit are still
Operational, authorities have taken measures both to limit non-sssential travel and
redirect some of the remaining demand to non-motorized or personal transport modes!
4a the United Kingdom, its govemment wamed that social distancing would allow only
‘one in ten (10) passengers on parts of public transport once the network resumes full
service.”

For this purpose, personal and non-motorized transport, such as walking and
cycling, can help bridge the gap between the need to transport the public while still
observing social distance. Aside from facilitating mobility, these transport modes can also
help maintain satisfactory levels of health and promote the well-being of out citizens. Foe
instance, studies show that walking or bicycling is associated with recluced cardiovasculae
risk and prevention of non-communicable diseases such as hyperte ision and diabetes?
In addition, switching to walking and cycling can help reduce air pollution and cut
climate change. Lastly, it may solve the heavy traffic congestion in Metro Manila caused
by high volume of vehicles plying the streets. In sum, the benefits t» the country of the
shift to non-motorized o personal transport modes cannot be under-stimated.

Protecting public transport from the coronavirus... and from financial collapse awalable at

collapse (last accessed 14 May 2020),
* Coronavirus: Social distancing cuts public transport Passenger capacity by 90% aailable at
-capacity-by-90 (last accessed 14 May 2020).
* See Associations between active travel to work and overweight hypertensio 1, and diabetes in India:
Teo sectional study avaiable at bups://srwnchi lm nih goe/pubmel/ 23776412 (last accessed
14 May 2020).




Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _ 6799

Introduced By Representative ALLAN BENEDICT S. REYES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Philippines has taken unprecedented “social
distancing” measures to prevent physical interaction in the hope of slowing down the spread
of the virus. We have closed schools, malls, restaurants and other recreation centers. We
have prohibited public gatherings and strongly advised companies to implement work-from-
home arrangements. We have also restricted travel and shut down public transportation in
Luzon and other areas seriously affected by the virus.

Admittedly, it is very difficult to harmonize the concepts of social distancing and mass
transit. It requires more stringent physical distancing measures and sweeping adjustments
that may require a lot of resources which, however, may not be utilized to full capacity. For
instance, in other countries where forms of mass transit are still operational, authorities have
taken measures both to limit non-essential travel and redirect some of the remaining demand
to non-motorized or personal transport modes.‘ In the United Kingdom, its government
warned that social distancing would allow only one in ten (10) passengers on parts of public
transport once the network resumes full service 2

For this purpose, personal and non-motorized transport, such as walking and cycling,
can help bridge the gap between the need to transport the public while still observing social
distance. Aside from facilitating mobility, these transport modes can also help maintain
satisfactory levels of health and promote the well-being of our citizens. For instance, studies
show that walking or bicycling is associated with reduced cardiovascular risk and prevention
of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.’ In addition, switching to
walking and cycling can help reduce air pollution and curb climate change. Lastly, it may
solve the heavy traffic congestion in Metro Manila caused by high volume of vehicles plying
the streets. In sum, the benefits to the country of the shift to non-motorized or personal
transport modes cannot be underestimated.

‘Protecting public transport from the coronavirus... and from financial collapse anailable at

r bank.o cting- xi-coronavirus-and-financial-collapse (ast accessed
14 May 2020),

2 Coronavirus: Social distancing cuts _ public transport passenger capacity by 90%  anailable af
hu Jbbe.com/news /av/uk-52602227 /coronavinus-social-distancing-cuts-public-transport-passe

capacity-by-90 (ast accessed 14 May 2020),

See Associations between active travel to work and overweight, hypertension, and diabetes in India: a cross-sectional

study available at huaps:/ /ywww.nchi.nlm.nih.gov/ pubmed/23776412 (last accessed 14 May 2020).

Page 1 of 4


In other countries, for instance, Philadelphia, USA closed a large 4.4-mile road
segment to motor vehicles for pedestrians and cyclists to help address the public transport
problem in the city during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, Mexico City proposed plans
for 80 miles of temporary bike infrastructure to alleviate the risks of public transportation use
and facilitate mobility in the city. Similarly, Berlin implemented a 1-mile temporary bike lane
along a major road and has plans to expand the pop-up infrastructure, along with 133 other
German cities. Oakland, Minneapolis, Denver, Louisville, Vancouver and Calgary have also
implemented similar measures. Furthermore, New York City committed to adding close to 1
mile of temporary protected bike lanes to segments of Manhattan and Brooklyn, and testing
road closures to cars.

In the Philippines, however, we do not have enough safe infrastructures for cyclists
and pedestrians to operate safely. Hence, there is a crucial need for legislation that will
redefine our policies on transport and urban development, specifically those that are
designed to encourage walking and cycling for daily travel.

In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill s earnestly sought.

HON. ALLAN BENEDICT S. REYES
Representative
3” District, Quezon City

+ Walking and Cycling to Health: A Comparative Analysis of City, State, and International Data anuilabe at
hhtps://swww.nchi.nlm.nih gov /pmc /articles/PMC2937005/ (last accessed 14 May 2020)

Page 2 of &


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._ 8799

Introduced By Representative ALLAN BENEDICT S. REYES

AN ACT ESTABLISHING PROTECTED BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN LANES AND
OTHER RELATED INFRASTRACTURES IN METRO MANILA, APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Bike Lanes Act of
2020.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Constitution
mandates the State to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill
health consciousness among them.

Moreover, the WHO Constitution (1946) envisages “...the highest attainable
standard of health as a fundamental right of every human being.”® Hence, the State has a
legal obligation “to ensure access to timely, acceptable, and affordable health care of
appropriate quality as well as to providing for the underlying determinants of health, such
as safe and potable water, sanitation, food, housing, health-related information and
education, and gender equality.”®

The State has the responsibility to protect and advance the interests of society in
preventing the spread of COVID-19 and ensure that the right of the citizens to health is
well-protected during the pandemic. One way to do so is by providing safe alternative
means of transportation to its citizens that also help maintain satisfactory levels of health
and promote their well-being. For this purpose, the State shall encourage the use of
personal and non-motorized transport, such as walking and cycling, by establishing the
necessary infrastructures for the safe and secure use thereof.

$ Human sights and health available at https://ww.svhojnt/news-room/fact-sheets/dtail/human-tights-and-health

(last accessed 15 May 2020).
‘ Td.

Page 3 of 4


SECTION 3. Coverage. - This Act shall cover all cities and municipality of Metro
Manila, particularly: the city of Manila, Quezon City, Caloocan, Las Pifias, Makati,
Malabon, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parafiaque, Pasay, Pasig, San
Juan, Taguig, and Valenzuela, and the municipality of Pateros

SECTION 4. Protected Bicycle and Pedestrian Lanes. - The Department of
Transportation (DOT?), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the
Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), in coordination with the local government
units (LGUs) of Metro Manila, shall identify, prioritize and build a network of protected
bicycle and pedestrian lanes within Metro Manila for the exclusive use of pedestrians,
cyclists and other individuals using non-motorized vehicles, such as skateboards,
scooters, carts, and the like. Existing lanes, if there are any, may be further developed for
this purpose and be connected to the said network of protected bicycle and pedestrian
lanes.

During the COVID-19 quarantine period, whether enhanced, modified enhanced or
general, or as long as public transportation is suspended, temporary bicycle and
pedestrian lanes may be set up using visible markers and signages. Priority routes shall
be identified, particularly those leading to hospitals, drugstores, public markets, and other
establishments offering essential products and services. Safety measures and emergency
stations shall likewise be provided.

SECTION 5. Parking Spaces. — All government offices, buildings, schools, and
other public establishments shall provide adequate and secure parking spaces for bicycles.
and other non-motorized vehicles.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations and Standard Forms. - Within
sixty (60) days from the promulgation of this Act, the necessary rules and regulations for
the proper implementation of its provisions shall be formulated by the appropriate
government office or agency in coordination with all the stakeholders and covered
establishments and institutions

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, administrative orders,
tules, regulations, decrees, and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby revoked, repealed, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue in
operation and remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication the Official Gazette or in the two (2) national newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,

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