MANILA, Philippines – The Marcos government is embarking on an exciting initiative this year, 2025: formulating an Active Transport Strategic Master Plan (ATSMP).
ATSMP intends to “create a comfortable, accessible, safe, sustainable, and affordable active transport system” — more pedestrian walkways, bike lanes, end-of-trip facilities for cyclists and other active transport users, and better standards and policies, according to the Department of Transportation.
The department is now calling on the public to participate in the process of gathering insights and data that will be the basis of this nationwide plan. It has tapped Palafox Associates, an architectural firm founded by Architect Felino Palafox Jr., a well-known advocate of urban planning, to conduct interviews, focus group discussions, field works, and consultations for the plan for the entire 2025.
Palafox Associates has identified the following gaps in our current active transport system, according to their website: inadequate infrastructure like dedicated bike lanes and safe pedestrian crossings, unsafe sidewalks and a hostile environment for pedestrians and cyclists, a car-centric transportation system, and lack of shade and weather protection that discourages active transport.
Meanwhile, 350 Pilipinas, a group that advocates for lowering carbon emissions through transformative changes in structures and systems, says promoting active transport helps decarbonize transportation. The transport sector contributed 14% of the Philippines’ greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, according to the Climate Change Commission (29 teragrams of carbon dioxide equivalent, out of the total of 204.33 Tg CO2e).
On Monday, April 7, at 7 pm, watch a panel discussion about how Palafox Associates is gathering insights for the ATSMP and how the government will ensure the plan is implemented, amid challenges like changes in administration and budget constraints.
We’ll also hear from commuters, accessibility advocates, and sustainable transport advocates about what they think the plan should consider. The discussion will be moderated by Rappler head of community Pia Ranada.
The following resource persons will comprise the panel:
- Architect Felino Palafox Jr., founder of Palafox Associates
- Eldon Dionisio, Department of Transportation Active Transport Office program manager
- Abner Manlapaz, co-founder of Life Haven Center for Independent Living
- Alyssa Belda, coordinator for Make It Safer Movement
- Jheny Dabu, sustainable transport campaigner for 350 Pilipinas
The discussion will be streamed on this page and on Rappler’s YouTube and Facebook pages. Bookmark this page and share with your network!
Got questions for our guests? Send a message to the liveable-cities chat room in the Rappler Communities app, tagging @piaranada.
Be The Good is Rappler’s Community show about advocacies, campaigns, and people on a mission.
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– Rappler.com