Transport advocates in the Philippines have urged the government to increase its budget allocation for active transportation projects in 2027, citing the need for safer bike lanes and walkways nationwide.
“For the majority of our workforce, walking and cycling are not lifestyle choices—they are financial lifelines,” said Amber Garma, National Coordinator of the Mobility Awards. “Active transport keeps money in workers’ pockets and drives daily productivity.”
However, the national budget for active transport infrastructure has seen a significant decline, dropping by 94% over the past few years. In 2026, the budget stood at P105 million, down from P2 billion in 2022.
Advocates are calling for the government to reverse this trend and allocate a minimum of P1 billion for active transport in 2027. They also emphasize the need for local governments to deploy their own funds to build interconnected networks for active transport.
A recent poll conducted by Pulse Asia showed that 94% of respondents supported proposals to construct safer, wider bicycle lanes and walkways. Additionally, 93% supported expanded public transport lanes, and 82% demanded transit subsidies.
In contrast, maintaining the policy of prioritizing private vehicles has the lowest level of public agreement at 72%.
Advocates argue that the government must take action to protect the 94% of the population who do not own cars. “The 94% carless majority has spoken, and our leaders must step up to protect them,” said Ms. Garma.
The Department of Transportation has announced plans to expand its Active Transport program, aiming to establish 2,400 kilometers of protected and dedicated cycling lanes by 2028.
The Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 also emphasizes the importance of creating safe and well-connected active mobility networks, including widening sidewalks, adding segregated micro-mobility corridors, and redesigning and reconstructing existing intersections.
