The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) and key stakeholders are calling for more active participation of the local government units (LGUs) in  addressing the country’s transportation crisis.

In partnership with Commuters 4 Change (C4C), ULAP officials met with local government leaders, transport experts and key stakeholders in the recent forum with the theme “Enhancing Public Road Transportation and Mobility: The Role of LGUs.

ULAP national president Dakila ‘Dax’ Cua emphasized that transportation policies must be decentralized and commuter-centered to address daily mobility challenges effectively.

He pointed to the inefficiencies caused by outdated national policies and called for greater LGU autonomy in transport management, urging local leaders to push for reforms that align with the realities on the ground.

The forum featured the current state of Philippine public transport, led by Robert Siy, a sustainable mobility advocate and co-convenor of the Move As One Coalition.

He presented data showing a decline in public transport supply over the past decade despite rising commuter demand, pointing to bureaucratic delays, franchise moratoriums, and funding gaps as primary obstacles.

Compared to many countries where local governments oversee public transit systems, the Philippines maintains a highly centralized transport governance model, leaving LGUs with limited control beyond tricycle operations.

Siy stressed that the national government agencies must empower the LGUs to manage their own public transport networks, particularly in urban centers where local knowledge and responsiveness are crucial.

The event also highlighted city-level innovations in public transport and mobility reform.

“With an increasing number of LGUs demonstrating that locally led mobility solutions can work, there is growing momentum for transport decentralization and smarter urban planning. The event concluded with a renewed call for national-local collaboration that allows LGUs to take charge of their transport systems while receiving adequate support from the national government,’’the ULAP noted.

“As the country faces worsening traffic congestion, declining public transport availability, and increasing commuter frustration, LGU-led mobility solutions provide a viable path forward. The success stories from Quezon City, Pasig, Baguio, Iloilo, and Clark prove that progressive transport policies and investments in sustainable mobility can deliver real benefits to commuters and communities alike,’’ it added.