Former senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Sunday urged the government to increase investment in biking infrastructure as a means to address the rising price of fuel in the country.
In an interview with DZRH, Ejercito said the government’s infrastructure programs should integrate features for non-motorized modes of transportation.
“Ngayong pandemya, mas marami na ang gumagamit ng bisekleta. Saka mas marami na rin ang talagang nasa outdoor (During the pandemic, more people used bicycles. And you can see more people are outdoors),” Ejercito said.
“Hindi lang pang-pastime o pang-ehersisyo pero ginagamit na din ito para pang trabaho. Siguro dahil na rin tumataas na din ang presyo ng gasolina (Not just as a past time or for exercise, but also for jobs. Maybe it’s also because of the high cost of gasoline),” he said.
But as one who has been advocating for transportation and infrastructure development, Ejercito, who is seeking a Senate comeback in the upcoming May 2022 elections, insisted that the government should promote biking for its numerous health-related and economic benefits.
“Marami tayong benepisyo dito. Unang una, siyempre makakatulong ito sa atin pong physical wellbeing. Panagalawa, sa taas ng presyo ng kuryente, ng gasolina ay kahit papano ito'y makakagaan (It has a lot of benefits. First of all, it can help in our physical well-being. Second, it can provide relief from the high cost of electricity and fuel),” he pointed out.
He said it is best for Filipinos to get used to biking, “just like in Europe” where many of its citizens are biking to work.
Ejercito said there are also environmental benefits of non-motorized modes of transportation.
“It will help in lessening the greenhouse effect o yung (or the) environmental impact and lessen carbon dioxide emission,” he emphasized.