{"id":7908,"date":"2026-09-03T18:05:13","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T10:05:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/world.350.org\/philippines\/?p=7908"},"modified":"2026-09-03T21:25:45","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T13:25:45","slug":"through-rain-or-shine-local-action-and-the-push-for-people-centric-mobility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/world.350.org\/philippines\/through-rain-or-shine-local-action-and-the-push-for-people-centric-mobility\/","title":{"rendered":"Through Rain or Shine: Local Action and the Push for People-Centric Mobility"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jheny Dabu<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite heavy rains and weather uncertainties, 350 Pilipinas together with local governments from across the Philippines gathered in Quezon City for activities that bring mutual learning of experiences, challenges and prospects for mobility transformation that prioritizes people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A Rainy Evening Bus Tour With Quezon City and Cebu Provincial Governments<\/b><\/p>\n

On August 12, 2026, 350 Pilipinas, Quezon City Government and Cebu Provincial Planning and Development Office participated in a \u201cbus tour\u201d organized by AltMobility PH. The Quezon City\u2019s Green Transport Division – Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS-GTD) facilitated the bus tour starting at QC Hall Gate 2, with DPOS-GTD discussing the City\u2019s active transportation initiatives such as development of bike infrastructure, data collection through the annual Bilang Siklista and regular infrastructure audit, and public awareness on active mobility including its collaborations with 350 Pilipinas. DPOS-GTD also shared the challenges faced by their department, including the need for more bike patrollers and personnel that would help expand and improve their services. One key learning is despite the continuous awareness of active transportation, the estimated number of bike-to-work employees of Quezon City hall is only around 80 to 100 while the estimated number of employees is around 20,000.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Public transportation measures and pedestrian infrastructure development were also discussed during the bus tour once the group arrived along Maharlika-Elliptical Road. The Traffic and Transport Management Department – Public Transport Services Section (TTMD-PTSS) introduced the QCbus \u201cLibreng Sakay,\u201d showcasing data such as ridership (almost 49 million passengers) and gender ratio (56% women passengers) which emphasized how the Libreng Sakay program has been helpful to commuters. Representatives from Cebu PPDO raised questions regarding implementation of the Libreng Sakay, reactions from public utility transport fleets, and concerns from other government agencies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Afterwards, we were introduced to the refurbished alleys in Maginhawa Street courtesy of the Parks Development and Administration Department (PDAD). The project aims to enhance connectivity and safety of pedestrians along Maginhawa, as part of its broader goal in making Quezon City a walkable city.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The bus tour programme ended with synthesis and closing messages from Planning and Development Department (CPDD), 350 Pilipinas and AltMobility. Notably, CPDD representative emphasized the need for people\u2019s participation for an effective and on-ground transportation and urban planning and development, very much aligned with 350 Pilipinas\u2019 call for active participation and collaborations among governments and communities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Following the bus tour, participants and organizers gathered for a <\/span>socials night<\/span><\/i> to discuss transportation and urban planning in greater detail. During the session, ten representatives from the Cebu Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) shared key implementation experiences, institutional challenges, and future prospects. They highlighted two primary hurdles facing local transport initiatives: varying administrative priorities across implementing bodies, which impacts project momentum, and staffing constraints, which place additional workload on existing personnel and limit the capacity to deliver transport and urban development projects.<\/span><\/p>\n

The bus tour and the socials night participated by Sustainable Transport and Clean Air campaigner of 350 Pilipinas was an opportunity to learn not only on-ground transport initiatives and plans in Cebu, but opportunities that can be knitted with 350 Pilipinas campaign for better air quality in Cebu Province.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A Rainy Afternoon \u2018Sustainable Transportation Gathering\u2019 With Local Government Units\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

The convenors of Mobility Awards organized \u201cActive Transport Count Training of Trainers (TOT)\u201d on the morning of August 14, 2026. 350 Pilipinas set up a small booth during the training \u2014 a prompt question was pasted on a white board, where participants freely contributed their suggestions on how government workplaces can further increase the number of bike-to-work employees. The photos below showcased some of the responses:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The prompt responses highlight that active transport “soft” infrastructure\u2014such as workplace bike programs, facilities, and incentives that support bike-commuters\u2014is essential to making active transportation truly accessible and adoptable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Later in the afternoon of August 14, 350 Pilipinas carried the discussion on both soft and hard infrastructure in a post-event gathering following the Active Transport Count TOT. The gathering aims to deepen 350 Pilipinas understanding on how active transportation is felt and experienced on the ground among cities from outside Metro Manila, as well as to share the recent collaborative activities of 350 Pilipinas with LGUs, such as the recently concluded Quezon City <\/span>Workers Bike Bus<\/span><\/i> and <\/span>Mandaluyong Bike Bus<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Together with Mandaluyong City\u2019s Active Transportation Office, visiting representatives from Baguio City, Butuan City and Naga City, and active mobility advocates, tackled how each participants feel about their respective cities\u2019 active and public transportation, the related initiatives from their cities that they are most proud of, and a key active transportation challenge their city faces.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Local representatives from Baguio City highlighted their ongoing efforts to promote \u201csmart mobility,\u201d particularly through pedestrianization initiatives. Key projects include car-free Sundays along Session Road and the <\/span>“Living Street,\u201d<\/span><\/a> which intentionally calms vehicular traffic to allow residents and tourists to safely and creatively enjoy urban green spaces.<\/span><\/p>\n

While these initiatives have fostered community connection, it discussed key infrastructure hurdles. A major challenge is road connectivity and jurisdiction issue, as several national roads cut through city thoroughfares outside LGU control.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Baguio participants stressed that essential components of walkable cities\u2014such as covered waiting sheds and dedicated footpaths\u2014must be seamlessly integrated into urban planning. Looking forward, Baguio City plans to develop a Local Transport Master Plan that includes active mobility, keeping pedestrianization as a top priority for both locals and visitors.<\/span><\/p>\n

The City Transportation and Traffic Management Department of Butuan City \u201cformulate and plan\u201d the City\u2019s active transportation. They are \u201chopeful and ambitious\u201d with their plans for the City. However, implementing such plans remains the biggest challenge in transforming Butuan City away from car-centrism.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, local collaboration is making a real difference. Marisol Tuso of The Climate Reality Project, who is also a local resident, shared her appreciation for how the city used Bilang Siklista data to shape local transportation codes and bike lane networks. The LGU actively consults mobility advocates, conducts participatory activities (e.g.<\/span> L.A.W.I.G or Livable, Accessible, Walkable, Inclusive, Green Networks<\/span><\/a>) and hosts community activities\u2014like bike count festivals and push bike competitions\u2014to get people involved in shifting to active transportation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Moving forward, Butuan City representatives recognize that changing how the public views street space\u2014putting people ahead of cars\u2014is a major hurdle. As the city builds up its active transport programs, it prioritizes raising public awareness and showing the community the real benefits of biking and walking.<\/span><\/p>\n

A community organizer walked us through Naga City\u2019s efforts to strengthen active mobility through non-infrastructure initiatives. These include car-free weekdays and weekends (inspired by Baguio City), public awareness campaigns such as a month-long “Bike Month” every November \u2014 which are all included in Naga City\u2019s <\/span>comprehensive local bike ordinance<\/span><\/a>. Under this ordinance, the city promotes the use of bicycles through community building, bike loan for LGU employees (bike-to-work program), bike-to-school, bike tourism among others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite these initiatives, key challenges remain reflecting on consistent implementation of the City\u2019s ordinance. Advocates in Naga City is currently pushing for a dedicated Active Transportation Office to oversee implementation, as annual budget allocations for active transport remains unsteady. In the session, it was recommended to add a specific funding clause to the local ordinance that would automatically secure annual budget support for active transport as well as establishing a dedicated office that would ensure effective implementation of active transportation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The women bike patrollers of Mandaluyong City\u2019s Active Transport Office (CTPMD-ATO) collectively recognized the improvement of active transportation support in their city over the years. Reflecting on Mandaluyong’s progress, they highlighted the \u201cbaby steps\u201d taken over the years including the local bike parking ordinance, becoming one of the pioneering cities in the annual Bilang Siklista counts (formerly Metro Manila Counts), and recently in March 2026, the bike-to-work initiatives among city hall employees as an adoptive measure to the rising costs of fuel and community capacity-building efforts like push bike lessons across local barangays.<\/span><\/p>\n

A major milestone in this transition was the formal establishment of a dedicated Active Transport Office in October 2025. Since then, CTPMD-ATO has spearheaded regular bike and pedestrian infrastructure audits and maintenance, implemented tactical urbanism measures to protect pedestrians, joggers, and cyclists, gathered data, and installed key facilities such as bike repair facilities and bike parking. The City currently looks into measures and incentives that would allow more employees to adopt bike-commuting. CTPMD-ATO looks forward in repairing bike lanes and installing bike showers\/end of trip facilities while continuously conducting capacity-building and public awareness campaigns to promote active mobility.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

During the August 14 discussion, CTPMD-ATO’s women bike patrollers emphasized that safe, gender-responsive infrastructure and programs are essential for encouraging more women to ride. Putting their vision into action, one key achievement recently, shared by Miss Ozan Ras of CTPMD-ATO, \u201cwe were able to invite women employees of city hall to participate in the bike bus!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n