UMVA has learned that the Department of Transportation is gearing up to request roughly ₱1 billion for its active‑transport program next year, a leap that could reshape the nation’s streets.
For years the agency scraped by with modest funds, barely keeping pace with the growing demand for safe bike routes. This year it received just ₱105 million, a fraction of what experts say is needed to truly transform urban mobility.
Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven C. Pastor told reporters at the Philippine Road Safety Summit that the upcoming budget request aims to dramatically widen the bike‑lane network and finally give pedestrians the dedicated space they deserve.
The vision stretches far beyond simple bike lanes. Pastor revealed plans to carve out protected pedestrian corridors, revamp sidewalks, and integrate smart amenities at public‑utility‑vehicle stops, including solar panels, Wi‑Fi hotspots and electric‑vehicle charging points.
If the ₱1 billion request wins legislative approval, the department hopes to accelerate its rollout, pushing the 2,400‑kilometer bike‑lane target—originally set for 2028—well ahead of schedule.
By the end of March, the agency had already inaugurated 1,100 kilometers of bike lanes, a promising start that now looks like just the first step of a larger, more ambitious journey.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that the expanded network will be built in close partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways, ensuring that cyclists and walkers alike can navigate streets with confidence and safety.
