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Wednesday, January 8, 2025

President Marcos steers PH toward net-zero emission

Every day, 35-year-old BB rides her bicycle from her Quezon City home to her office in Makati. She’s among the roughly 10 million Filipino households using bicycles. A 2023 Social Weather Stations survey shows that 36 percent of Filipino households rely on bikes for commuting and fitness.

BB credits the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for the 564 kilometers of protected bike lanes already established nationwide. The bike lane network encompasses 2,400 kilometers of bike lanes to be completed by 2028.

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“I bike to work because it’s faster, cheaper, and less stressful than driving, plus I get to exercise and help reduce air and noise pollution,” says BB, an advertising creative who dreams of touring the country on her bike.

BB’s choices reflect the Marcos administration’s broader push for sustainability, with the ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Recognizing that transportation accounts for 15-20 percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the government is implementing a range of initiatives to make public transport greener and more efficient.

Millions of Davaoeños can now enjoy safer and more convenient travel with the inauguration of over 47 kilometers of upgraded bike lanes and cycling facilities in Metro Davao on May 31, 2024, a project highlighted by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista as a vital step toward sustainable and active transport nationwide. (Photo: DOTr)

Japan-quality urban mobility

The Marcos administration is championing projects like the EDSA Greenways (elevated pedestrian walkways) and bike lane networks already put up in cities such as Kalibo, Laoag, Marikina, Lipa, Davao, Tagum and San Fernando-Pampanga. The EDSA Busway and bus rapid transit systems in Cebu and Davao should provide commuters with efficient and eco-friendly alternatives to private vehicles.

In July 2024, the Marcos government partnered with Japan to launch a three-year technical cooperation project encouraging a shift from private to public transportation. Through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Philippines will benefit from improved public utility vehicle (PUV) services, better route planning, intermodal transport hubs and enhanced commuter convenience.

JICA Chief Representative to the Philippines Takema Sakamoto highlighted the agency’s commitment to helping the Philippines achieve “Japan-quality” public transportation systems.

This collaboration encompasses the big-ticket infrastructure projects, such as the Metro Manila Subway, North-South Commuter Railway, and LRT and MRT upgrades.

Additionally, JICA is drafting a 30-year railway master plan for the Philippine government while promoting Transit-Oriented Development to integrate transportation in urban planning.

Transport group Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP) presented modernized jeepneys to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, showcasing a diesel-powered design that retains the iconic jeepney look while offering air conditioning, charging ports, and compliance with Philippine National Standards and emission regulations. (DOTr photo release on February 15, 2024)

Pioneering clean energy and modernization

While cities like Paris, Madrid, and Athens plan to ban diesel vehicles, and countries like Norway will be phasing out conventional cars in favor of electric vehicles (EVs), the Philippine government aggressively advocating EV use.

Under President Marcos’s directive, at least 10 percent of government fleets are set to transition to EVs. Current infrastructure includes 384 electric PUVs, 7,515 registered EVs, and 563 charging stations nationwide. With the October 2024 inauguration of the country’s first EV battery factory in Pampanga, capable of producing 18,000 EV batteries annually, the Philippines is poised to become a regional player in clean energy storage.

To address Metro Manila’s infamous traffic congestion—ranked the world’s worst in 2023 by TomTom’s Traffic Index—the government is investing heavily in modernizing public transportation.

The Public Transport Modernization Program is replacing aging jeepneys and buses with Euro 4-compliant and electric vehicles. Cities like General Santos and Laguindingan in Mindanao have already embraced this program, improving commuter experiences and driver livelihoods.

Intermodal transport hubs and automated fare collection systems are also being implemented to make commuting more seamless and align Philippine transportation systems with global standards.

Advancing maritime and aviation sustainability

In the maritime sector, the government has partnered with Green Marine Copenhagen to train 100,000 Filipino mariners in alternative fuels like methanol, promoting greener sea transport.

In aviation, sustainable aviation fuel derived from renewable waste, including recycled cooking oil, has been successfully tested by a Philippine air carrier, further underscoring the country’s commitment to decarbonizing all modes of transport.

The Marcos administration is also exploring cutting-edge technologies, such as a water-fueled engine being developed by a Japanese automaker.

These innovations could redefine sustainable transport, providing cleaner alternatives to conventional and electric vehicles.

Despite significant progress, challenges remain, including financial constraints, limited availability of sustainable aviation fuel, and the need for public cooperation. Nevertheless, the Marcos administration’s dedication to modernization and sustainability is unwavering.

“Our multi-faceted approach to sustainable transportation demonstrates our commitment to achieving net-zero emissions. By integrating modern technology, fostering international collaborations, and promoting active and green transport, we are addressing immediate challenges while setting a course for a sustainable future,” Pres. Marcos said.

“Our efforts stand as a testament to what a whole-of-nation approach can accomplish in the fight against climate change,” the President said.

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