DOTr seeks P2.595-B in 2025 budget for additional bike lanes

MANILA: The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is keen on building more bike lanes in the country. The continuation of the said initiative was made apparent when the government agency announced its move to request additional funding for its active transport projects. 

The said development was shared by Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Andy Ortega. Specifically, the DOTr has asked the House Committee on Appropriation for P2.595 billion during the agency’s 2025 budget discussions. 

The money Ortega shared will be poured into establishing more bike lanes, improving existing bike lanes, and other “end-of-trip” facilities. It was not specified by the government official, but what is referred to as end-of-trip facilities might be bike racks or bicycle parking areas.

“Ang total budget po na hinihingi namin for 2025 is P2.595 billion for us to achieve not only ‘yong additional bike lanes but also to upgrade ‘yong existing at saka maglalagay po kami ng certain end of trip cycling facilities (The total budget we are asking for 2025 is P2.595 billion for us to achieve not only additional bike lanes but also to upgrade existing ones, and to install certain end of trip cycling facilities),” Ortega said.

The DOTr's mission is to establish 2,400 kilometers (km) of bike lanes in major cities and adjacent municipalities by the year 2028. For 2025 alone, the government office is looking to set up at least 260 km of bike lanes. Furthermore, the government transport agency is also planning to build walkways to ensure the safety of pedestrians. 

To note, the active transport project by the DOTr falls under the National Transport Policy and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. It initially emerged in 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when a multitude of Filipinos turned to bicycles as a means of transport due to community quarantine restrictions. 

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