NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
Senate
of the ^’eaTtar^’
■22 JUL11 P3 '49
SENATE
s. No. 243
RECEIVED BV■4
Introduced by Senator 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 losing Six (6) Billion Pesos 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 3.5 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. Based 
on the National Emissions Inventory by source conducted in 2018, 74 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 to 
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 by protecting the 
environment through subscribing to low-emission modes of transport.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought
EN LEGARDA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
P
S. No. ^943
IfSfi Senate
of thf ^a.vnavp
•22 JUL11 P3 49
RECEIVtD BV.
Introduced by Senator 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:
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Section. 1. Short Title. - The Act shall be known as the "Sustainable 
Transportation Act of 2022"
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - 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 toward 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.
c. ) The State shall properly plan and establish facilities and infrastructures that
will respond to this paradigm shift in the transportation system.


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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.
Sec. 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 
that is available for use by the general public. These include buses, 
trams, trains, rapid transit, and ferries.
d. "Walkivays" mean paved paths for pedestrians alongside streets.
e. "Sustainable transport" is 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.
Sec. 4. Sustainable Transport Action Plan. - The Department of Transportation 
(DOTr), in coordination with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) 
and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), shall come up with a 
Sustainable Transport Action Plan which aims to provide a roadmap for a 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, cycHng, walking, and transport infrastructure, and will set out the 
actions required to achieve the mode shift target over a certain period as identified by 
DOTr and NEDA.


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Sec. 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
Sec. 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 oil economy on our environment and financial markets as well 
as help reduce energy costs, pollution, and even urban poverty.
Sec. 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 maU owners and bus companies, can 
be tapped 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.
Sec. 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.
Sec. 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


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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 are 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.
Sec. 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 objects. The bike lanes shall be made identifiable by striping with signing 
or striping with pavement markings.
Sec. 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 a gross floor area larger than 7,500 square feet;
b. ) Multiple-family dwellings when 12 or more are provided on a lot;
c. ) 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.


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Sec. 12. Facilities. - The DOTr, in coordination with the DPWH and the LGUs 
concerned, 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.
Sec. 13. Ediicntion and Research Programs. - The DOTr shall conduct studies and 
research, 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 the 
private sector involved in the transport system.
Sec. 14. Financing. - The DOTr, in coordination with the DENR, shall explore 
the possibility of accessing a growing range of global environment funds to be able to 
assist in the funding of sustainable public transport systems and less polluting energy 
supplies. Pubhc-private partnerships shall also be encouraged in the development of 
transportation improvements.
Sec. 15. Implementing Agency. - The DOTr shall be the main implementing 
agency for this Act.
Sec. 16. Separability Clause. - 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.
Sec. 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.
Sec. 18. Ejfectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication 
in at least (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,