The Muntinlupa City government will receive P86.1 million from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to implement an active transport bike system and safe pathways program.
Councilors approved Resolution No. 2023-208 authorizing Mayor Ruffy Biazon to sign, on behalf of the city government, an agreement with DOTr for the transfer of the fund for the program.
Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon (right) listens to the presentation of Department of Transportation's Road Sector, led by Road Transport and Infrastructure Usec. Mark Steven Pastor and the Active Transport Program Management Office (PMO), about the bike lane expansion in the city (DOTr)
The resolution cited that during the pandemic, “due to the restrictions imposed by the national and local government on the movement of people and goods. active transport such as biking, and walking were promoted.”
A joint administrative order of the DOTr, Department of Health (DOH), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) listed the “Guidelines on the Proper Use and Promotion of Active Transport During and After the Covid-19” in which local government units (LGUs) were encouraged "to provide infrastructure for active transport and walking paths. Ensure availability of right of way for the construction of bicycle lanes and walking paths within their jurisdiction. and maintain the bicycle lanes and walking paths located in their jurisdiction.”
A national budget was allotted under the General Act of 2022 for the Active Transport Bike Share System and Safe Pathways Program in Metro Manila for “the construction of bike lanes, procurement of bike racks, improved end-of-trip cycling infrastructures, construction of safe and accessible pedestrian walkways, and upgrading of existing pop-up bike lanes into permanent bike lanes.”
It also aimed “to establish proper public transport stops and ensure that all road and bridge projects to be designed and implemented, in so far as practicable, shall allocate at least 50% of the road space for public transport, pedestrians and bicycles/light mobility vehicle.”
The P86.1 million that the Muntinlupa City government will get from DOTr will be used for the expansion of Active Transport Infrastructure, and establishment of end-of-trip cycling facilities and public transport stops.