JV Ejercito bats for better pedestrian, cycling infrastructure
September 07, 2022
As a cycling enthusiast and staunch advocate
of active transport, Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Wednesday called on
the Senate to pass the Walkable and Bikeable Communities Act, which he
co-authored.
Citing the need for a “more walkable and
bikeable environment” for pedestrians and cyclists, Ejercito backed the passage
of Senate Bill No. 1290, which seeks to institutionalize active transport by
establishing a safe pathways network of bike lanes, walkways, and slow streets.
“Until the time the government has finished up
with its goal to provide mass transportation that is people-centered and accommodating to every walks of life, let
us make room for alternative (and) more active and healthy means of travel,” he
said in his co-sponsorship speech.
“We envision the day when walking and cycling
will become the safe and convenient means of everyday travel for all Filipinos,
because we have been instruments in the improvement of our country’s cycling
infrastructure,” he added.
The said substitute measure includes
Ejercito’s Senate Bill No. 393, which called for the establishment of pop-up
bicycle lanes and emergency pathways.
Aside from Ejercito, other authors of the
substitute bill include Senator Pia Cayetano, the principal sponsor of the
measure, and Senators Grace Poe, Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Revilla, and Sonny
Angara.
The lawmaker from San Juan said improving the
country’s pedestrian and cycling infrastructure will help lessen pollution,
reduce the public’s dependence on oil, and alleviate traffic congestion in the
country’s urban centers.
He cited Numbeo Traffic Index’s latest report,
where Manila ranked second in Southeast Asia and ranked 15th globally in terms
of urban traffic congestion.
“When more people walk and bike, everyone benefits.
There will be less traffic and pollution and there will be more efficient use
of road space. When people bike or walk, this will result in reduced carbon
emissions, reduced road congestion, less use of energy and resources, less
dependence on oil, and more healthy citizens,” he said.
