Pia wants elevated walkways, bike lanes in the metro
Pushes for measures making PH cities sustainable

Senator Pia S. Cayetano is fully supportive of the proposal to build elevated walkways and bike lanes along major roads in the country, stressing that this would help transform Philippine cities into sustainable communities.

During her interpellation of Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri's privilege speech on Tuesday (August 20), Cayetano stressed the importance of creating alternative mobility options in urban areas to reduce traffic congestion, improve people's health, and preserve the environment.

"This is a necessity that millions and millions of [Filipinos] will appreciate," Cayetano said in response to Zubiri's suggestion to construct elevated walkways along EDSA for the use of pedestrians and bikers.

"These are the things that we would like to bring to our people's consciousness. Making our communities livable will also help protect Filipino families' health and well being," she added.

The senator has filed several measures in the 18th Congress to this effect.

Senate Bill No.65 or the 'Sustainable Cities and Communities Act' directs local governments to ensure public access to social services, preferential use of renewable resources, efficient waste management systems, and reliable mass transport, among others.

Meanwhile, Senate Bill No.66 or the 'Sustainable Transportation Act' mandates the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to come up with a Sustainable Transport Action Plan that shall lay down the roadmap for national and local transportation systems throughout the country.

Apart from these, Cayetano filed the 'National Bicycle Act of 2019,' seeking to officially recognize bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation in the country.

These measures, the senator stressed, are in line with the country's commitment to the United Nations' (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

"The budget for these programs is really something that I feel is an absolute need," Cayetano said, while expressing her plan to file a 'Build, Build, Build' counterpart program for non-motorized vehicles.

A known biking enthusiast and triathlete, Cayetano has been encouraging local governments to put up additional protected bike lanes in their cities and municipalities, similar to Taguig City's 5.58-kilometer bicycle lane along Laguna Lake Highway.