The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is pushing for a significant expansion of bike lane infrastructure nationwide to promote sustainable transportation and reduce traffic congestion.
DOTr Undersecretary for road transport and infrastructure Andy Ortega said the agency is asking for a P2.59-billion funding for additional bike lanes, upgrade and maintenance of other bike lanes and end-of-trip facilities.
“The total budget we requested for 2025 is P2.595 billion for us to achieve not only the additional bike lanes but also to upgrade the existing ones and then we will put in certain end of trip cycling facilities,” Ortega said.
For 2025, the transport agency is looking to establish at least 260 kilometers of dedicated lanes for cyclists.
The DOTr is keen on establishing 2,400 kilometers of bike lanes by 2028.
“So, definitely we will be asking the Congress to increase [the budget] for us to achieve the objective to have around more than 2,000 total bike lanes nationwide,” Ortega said.
The active transport project will focus on major cities and adjacent municipalities in the country to encourage active and sustainable lifestyles among Filipinos.
Apart from cycling, the transport agency is also constructing walkways to ensure the safety of pedestrians.
Active transport is in line with the National Transport Policy (NTP) and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 (PDP). The program has a P5-billion funding for 2024.
DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said the active transport would not only support the riding public but also reduce traffic, encourage healthy programs so the DOTr wants bike lanes all over the country.
A 2018 study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency also estimated that traffic congestion cost the Philippines a staggering P3.5 billion daily.
Meanwhile, the DOTr is asking Congress for a P180.8-billion budget for 2025 to fund big-ticket infrastructure projects.
The agency’s mega infrastructure projects in the pipeline include the New Cebu International Container Port and Manila Bay-Pasig River-Laguna Lake Ferry River System.
Meanwhile, railways needing budget allocation include the Metro Manila Subway, North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), MRT-7, LRT-1 Cavite Extension, Unified Grand Central Station and MRT-3 Rehabilitation. In the pipeline are Mindanao Railway Project, MRT-4 and PNR South Long Haul.
Under the road sector, the DOTr is pushing for the expansion of the active transport program and EDSA Busway. The agency also continues to push for the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).
