Transport advocates on Tuesday urged the Philippine government to increase budget allocation for active transportation projects in 2027, amid calls for safer bike lanes and walkways nationwide. “For the majority of our workforce, walking and cycling are not lifestyle choices—they are financial lifelines,” Mobility Awards National Coordinator Amber Garma said in a statement, as reported by BusinessWorld.
The proposed P1-billion budget would fund the expansion and maintenance of dedicated bike lanes, pedestrian walkways, and other infrastructure that supports non-motorized transport. Advocates argue that such investments are critical for low-income workers who rely on these modes of travel to get to their jobs and reduce daily expenses.
The Mobility Awards, which promotes walking and cycling, emphasized that building safe active transport infrastructure also helps reduce traffic congestion and pollution in urban areas. Garma urged lawmakers to prioritize the budget item in the upcoming national expenditure program, noting that current spending on active transport remains insufficient.