MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have completed a total of 497 kilometers of bike lanes in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao as part of its goal to promote active transportation in the country.
In a statement Monday, the DOTr said these bike lanes consist of pavement markings, physical separators, and road signages.
Transportation Secretary Art Tugade said this project shows the DOTr’s commitment to “promoting active transportation and ensuring the safety of the pedestrians.”
“We intend to provide commuters with access to faster, and efficient means of mass transportation, and to open infrastructure for active transportation such as walking and cycling,” Tugade said.
The agencies have installed 313 kilometers of pavement markings, physical separators, and road signages in Metro Manila amounting to P801.8 million.
In Metro Cebu, both agencies completed 129 kilometers of bike lanes worth P150 million and 55 kilometers in Davao totaling P145.3 million.
The DOTr said these projects had a total disbursement of P1.09 billion under the Bayanihan Bike Lane Network project.
The DOTr said it is eyeing to inaugurate the three bike lanes this month.
The promotion of active transportation was strengthened through the means of the Republic Act. No. 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One-Act. This measure declared bicycles as an additional mode of transportation for the public, and it also provided provisions for funding the said project.
The DOTr, along with the DPWH, Department of Health, and the Department of Interior and Local Government, also signed a joint administrative order to set out the roles of the local government units in promoting active transportation in the country. — Sofia Vertucio, trainee
RELATED STORY:
DOTr opens seaport, airport projects in Ilocos region