DILG: 173 LGUs identify bike lanes, walking paths

MANILA, Philippines — Out of 900 local government units that submitted transportation programs to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), only 173 LGUs have identified bicycle lanes and walking paths in their areas.

At a press briefing yesterday, DILG spokesman Jonathan Malaya said 55 percent or 900 of the total 1,643 LGUs nationwide have submitted reports on developing transportation during the pandemic as the number of public utility vehicles remain limited.

Of the figure, at least 306 LGUs have existing local public transport route plan (LPTRP) detailing the route network, mode and required number of units per mode for delivering public land transport services.

Among the required inclusions in the LPTRPs is the creation of interconnected bicycle lanes from one LGU to another.

“Several LGUs still need to identify roads that they could use for active transport. We will constantly remind them that they have a commitment to the national government to identify roads for cycling lanes or walking paths,” Malaya said.

The DILG had asked LGUs to construct protected bike lanes and walking paths as the pandemic restricted public mobility due to the limited number of public transport and decreased passenger capacity.

The DILG urged the public to consider biking and walking as alternative modes of transportation to curb the transmission of COVID-19.

“We want to start this program immediately that’s why we released joint administrative orders and memorandum circulars,” Malaya said.

The DILG said only 314 LGUs have designated offices or units for the implementation of the program.

Only 40 LGUs have enacted ordinances promoting the use of biking and walking lanes as well as regulations that protect users of these infrastructures, according to the DILG.