Marikina City Mayor Maan Teodoro announced the launch of the "Padyak Papasok: Bike to Work Marikina” initiative on Monday, March 16, to promote active mobility and energy conservation, particularly fuel, as the country continues to grapple with the significant hike in fuel prices due to the Middle East conflict. 

“Ang Marikina ay matagal nang bike-friendly city. Pero ngayon, gusto nating lalo pa itong palakasin. Higit pa sa challenge, ang gusto natin ay mas malusog na pamahalaan at mas sustainable na lungsod (Marikina has long been a bike-friendly city. But now, we want to make it even stronger. More than just a challenge, we want to promote a healthier government and a more sustainable city)," Teodoro said.

Starting today until the month of December, Marikina City Hall offices and departments will compete to record the highest number of employees who bike to work and the most number of days employees participate in the challenge.

The department with the largest percentage of employees who biked to work will receive awards and incentives at the end of the year.

The challenge also provides an opportunity to further develop Marikina's cycling culture and infrastructure while advancing active mobility among Marikina residents.

“Inatasan na natin ang Marikina Bikeways Office na siguraduhin na fully functional ang lahat ng end-of-trip facilities para sa ating mga empleyado—lalo na ang facility sa Engineering Compound sa Barangay Sto. Niño—para kung may gustong mag-bike papasok sa trabaho, may lugar para magbihis, magpahinga, at maghanda sa trabaho (We have instructed the Marikina Bikeways Office to ensure that all end-of-trip facilities for our employees—especially the facility at the Engineering Compound in Barangay Sto. Niño—are fully functional so that anyone who wants to bike to work has a place to get dressed, rest, and prepare for work)," Teodoro said, noting that she had also ordered the installation of bike racks near schools across the city and encouraged businesses to install bike parking facilities in their establishments to welcome more cyclists.

The bike-to-work challenge coincides with the mayor's signing of Executive Order (EO) No. 05, Series of 2026, aimed at conserving energy and reducing electricity consumption at the Marikina City Hall.

Under the order, the city government has started to implement a four-day workweek following President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s directive to conserve energy and reduce fuel use amid rising global oil prices.

"Under the policy, city government offices will operate from Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., enabling employees to complete the 40-hour workweek while lowering electricity consumption through the weekly shutdown of government offices every Friday," the mayor explained.

Essential services and field operations, including the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRM), street maintenance teams, and public safety units, are not covered by the mandate and will continue to operate without interruption.