NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No. 20
THE^
Mon
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
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
EXPLANATORY NOTE
As a party to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, 
the Philippines is committed to promulgate policies that advances the seventeen (17) 
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under this framework.
SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) seeks to develop quality, 
reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder 
infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus 
on affordable and equitable access for all (SDG 9.1) as well as upgrade infrastructure 
and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use 
efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and 
industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective 
capabilities (SDG 9.4).
SDG 9 recognizes that transportation plays a significant role in spurring 
economic development and reducing poverty. It is a vital part of the activities, goods, 
and services required to support and improve people's lives. At the same time, 
however, the current predominant means of transportation relies heavily on gasoline 
as fuel, which has known negative 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. As gasoline prices continue to skyrocket, our continued dependence on 
imported fossil fuels has a multiplier effect which raises the prices of basic 
commodities, goods, and services. Further, this has affected the supply of public 
transport, already unable to keep up with demand as can be seen in the long lines of 
commuters struggiing to get a ride everyday, as jeepney and bus operators are unable 
to keep up with rising fuel costs.1
Additionally, 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 will 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 nor 
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 - such as walking, cycling, use of public 
transportation, etc. The government must provide for the creation of a safe, 
convenient, accessible, inexpensive, collective, efficient, non-congestive, non- 
poiiutive, and healthful locomotion and transportation system for the benefit of the 
Filipino people.
This measure, which was drafted in collaboration with 2009 Ramon Magsaysay 
awardee, lawyer and environmental activist Atty. Antonio "Tony" Oposa, was first filed 
by the undersigned in 2011 during the 15th Congress.
1 Philstar.com. (2022, June 29). After jeeps, buses might soon halt operations next amid skyrocketing 
fuel price, https://www.philstar.eom/headlines/2022/06/29/2191792/after-jeeps-buses-might-soon- 
halt-operations-next-amid-skyrocketing-fuel-price


This bill seeks to develop sustainable and alternative modes of transportation in 
order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lessen energy consumption, use precious 
urban areas efficiently, reduce time and travel costs, and promote an active lifestyle. 
It mandates the Department of Transportation (DOTr), 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. CAYflANO,r


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. No. 20
DATE:
BILLS AiNDEX
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
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 of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assem bled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Sustainable
2 
Transportation Act."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of 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
6 
and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature, and to
7 
conserve and develop the patrimony of the nation, the State hereby adopts the
8 
following policies relative to the transportation system in our country, whether public
9 
or private:
10 
a. The State shall promote a shift towards a safe, collective, efficient, non-
11 
congestive, non-pollutive, and healthful locomotion and transportation
12 
system that includes non-motorized transport;
13 
b. The State shall increase mobility options of the general public and
14 
promote the use of alternative modes of transportation such as walking,
15 
biking and the use of public transportation;
16 
c. The State shall properly plan and establish facilities and infrastructures
17 
that will respond to this paradigm shift in the transportation system; and


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


1 
The Sustainable Transport Action Plan shall include strategies relating to
2 
parking, public transport, cycling, walking and transport infrastructure, and will set out
3 
the actions required to achieve the mode shift target over a certain period of time as
4 
identified by DOTr and NEDA.
5 
Sec. 
5. Installation of Walkways. - Adequate sidewalk areas must be
6 
maintained on all roads as walkways to allow safe pedestrian passage and for the safe
7 
and convenient use of wheelchairs, strollers and similar instruments. For primary and
8 
secondary roads, there shall be allotted three (3) meters for the sidewalks. If there is
9 
no space allocated for such and the implementation will prove difficult, in lieu thereof,
10 
an elevated footbridge must be installed. This shall be provided by the local
11 
government unit (LGU) concerned within six (6) months from the effectivity of this
12 
Act.
13 
Sec. 6. Public Transportation. - The DOTr shall provide guidelines that will
14 
promote a shift towards public transportation as a primary mobility option to the
15 
general public, within twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act. Better public
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transportation initiatives shall be studied and implemented in an effort to reduce the
17 
impact of the declining oil economy on our environment and financial markets as well
18 
as help reduce energy costs, pollution and even urban poverty.
19 
Sec. 7. Commissioning of a "Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System."— The DOTr
20 
shall, within twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act, come up with a study
21 
commissioning the creation of a Bus Rapid Transit System which will organize buses
22 
into one efficient long-distance transportation system with coordinated schedules,
23 
rates, routes, and pick-up and drop-off points. The LGU and the private sector,
24 
including but not limited to mall owners and bus companies, can be tapped in order
25 
to put up or use existing facilities such as parks, parking lots, and bus depots that will
26 
serve as large collective transportation terminals where people can park their cars and
27 
bikes and take the buses to their destinations.
28 
Sec. 8. Establishment of a Water Ferry System. - As much as practicable, the
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national agencies and water regulatory bodies in charge of a water body led by the
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Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in coordination with the
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DOTr, shall explore the establishment of a ferry system in navigable bodies of water
32 
which may be operated by the said authority or bidded out to a private contractor.


1 
The possibility of interconnecting said waterways shall also be considered.
2 
Sec. 9. Travel Demand Management Programs. - The DOTr, in coordination
3 
with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Education
4 
(DepEd), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and one representative each from
5 
the civil society, transport sector and the youth, shall come up with guidelines on
6 
travel demand management programs that will reduce the volume of cars and
7 
motorized transport in the roads as well as enhance and encourage students and
8 
workers to use the public transport system. These shall include, but is not limited to,
9 
the following:
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a. carpool, vanpool, or car-share projects;
11 
b. congestion pricing measures;
12 
c. programs to promote telecommuting;
13 
d. flexible work schedules, or satellite work centers;
14 
e. transport program for government employees; and
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f. intelligent transportation systems or other operational improvements
16 
that are certified by the Department of Environment and Natural
17 
Resources (DENR) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
18 
This shall be completed within twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this
19 
Act.
20 
Sec. 10. Designation of Bicycle Lanes. - A portion of the roadway or highway
21 
shall be designated as "bicycle lanes" by the LGU having jurisdiction over such roadway
22 
or highway, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways
23 
(DPWH), within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act.
24 
The designated bicycle lanes shall be for the preferential or exclusive use of
25 
bicycles. These bicycle lanes shall not be obstructed by a parked or standing motor
26 
vehicle or any other stationary object. The bicycle lanes shall be made identifiable by
27 
striping with signing or striping with pavement markings.
28 
Sec. 11. Provision of Bicycle Parking Spaces and Bike Racks. - Bicycle parking
29 
spaces and bicycle racks are hereby required to be provided by owners of
30 
establishments that are:
31 
a. For non-residential use with gross floor area larger than 7,500 square
32 
feet;


1 
b. Multiple-family dwellings when 12 or more are provided on a lot; and
2 
c. Public parking lots.
3 
The DOTr shall establish guidelines on the minimum supply of bicycle parking
4 
spaces in buildings and other facilities, taking into consideration the population of the
5 
short-term or long-term dwellers in the area, within six (6) months from the effectivity
6 
of this Act.
7 
Sec. 12. Facilities. - The DOTr, in coordination with the DPWH and the LGUs
8 
concerned, shall carry out an investment program that will encourage a mode shift to
9 
sustainable transport within selected communities by providing safe and convenient
10 
options to bicycle and walk for routine travel, and for other purposes. This shall be
11 
completed within twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act.
12 
Sec. 13. Education and Research Programs. - The DOTr shall conduct studies
13 
and researches, and eventually supply information to the car-owning and -riding public
14 
as well as commuters on aspects of sustainable transport that are relatively new. It
15 
shall also provide technical assistance and other resources to government agencies
16 
and private sector involved in the transport system.
17 
Sec. 14. Financing. -The DOTr, in coordination with the DENR, shall explore
18 
the possibility of accessing a growing range of global environment funds in order to
19 
be able to assist in the funding of sustainable public transport systems and less
20 
polluting energy supplies. Public-private partnerships shall also be encouraged in the
21 
development of transportation improvements.
22 
Sec. 15. Implementing Agency. - The DOTr shall be the main implementing
23 
agency for this Act.
24 
Sec. 16. Separability Clause. - Should any provision herein be subsequently
25 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity or the legality
26 
of the other provisions not so declared.
27 
Sec. 17. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
28 
rules and regulations, other issuances, and parts thereof, which are inconsistent with
29 
the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed and modified accordingly.
30 
Sec. 18. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication
31 
in at least (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,