DOTr secures P1.3B funds for bike lanes

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has secured the P1.3-billion funding for the installation of a bike lane network in Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao as part of its pandemic recovery plan.

The budget came from the P9.5-billion funding alloted by Congress to the DOTr under the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act.

The allocation will be used in creating protected bike lanes, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Metro Manila Development Authority, and in funding the bike-sharing program of the DOTr.

Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade said during the forum that the first phase of the project would involve setting up and painting bike lanes, while the second phase would deal with putting up the barriers and installing elevated bike lanes in some areas.

In August, the DOTr said an estimated P1.035 billion will be needed to cover a total of 644 kilometers of protected bike lanes for the Metro Manila-wide bike lane network. But transport officials said the project would be expanded to cover Cebu and Davao.

—Mariejo S. Ramos