The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will request more than ₱1 billion in funding to further develop active transport infrastructure across the country and make roads safer and more inclusive for cyclists and pedestrians.

Transportation Undersecretary Mark Steven Pastor said the DOTr is seeking a higher budget next year to remain aligned with its active transport plans, including the construction of 2,400 kilometers (km) of bike lanes by 2028.

Under the record-high ₱6.793-trillion 2026 national budget, the DOTr’s active transport program was allocated only ₱105 million, or just around 5.3 percent of its proposed budget.

“Through the years, we have received substantial funding for active transport. However, this year, it is only ₱105 million. And we are asking our legislative branch of government to raise the funds for next year so that we can expand further the project,” Pastor told reporters last week.

As of the first quarter, the DOTr had already constructed a total of 1,100 km of bike lanes, just over halfway to its 2028 target. If the agency is granted a higher budget, Pastor said there is no doubt it would exceed 2,400 km.

Beyond bike lanes, the DOTr is building end-of-trip facilities such as shower rooms to provide cyclists with an area to freshen up on their way to work.

The agency is also setting up more pedestrian lanes and upgrading sidewalks to promote active mobility, as poorly maintained walkways tend to discourage people from choosing to walk.

At the same time, Pastor said there are efforts to improve public utility vehicle (PUV) stops through the installation of WiFi and charging stations to make the commuting experience more comfortable.

By investing in active transport infrastructure, the DOTr aims not only to encourage more sustainable modes of transport but also to ensure that safety remains a top priority.

Making roads safer is one of the major pillars of the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan (PRSAP) 2023-2028, which serves as the roadmap for addressing road casualties and injuries resulting from traffic crashes in the country, with a goal of reducing such deaths by at least 35 percent by 2028.

Under PRSAP, a safer road environment “requires that there is a land use plan that caters to all types of road users and making sure that infrastructure projects are not built exclusively for motorists, but for those who travel through active transport.”

Preliminary data show that road accidents are trending downward this year, Pastor said, though he stressed that stricter enforcement remains critical to driving the numbers lower.

Among the measures being pursued is a proposed law that would legalize the operations of motorcycle taxis nationwide. Pastor said enactment of the measure would give authorities stronger oversight of these two-wheeled vehicles.