More funding for bike lanes sought

THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said additional funding was needed for the construction of more bicycle lanes.

The agency made the plea after its proposed budget of P2.595 billion for the Active Transport Project for 2025 was reduced to P60 million in the National Expenditure Program (NEP).

For 2024, P1 billion was set aside for the Active Transport Project under the General Appropriations Act.

Transportation Undersecretary Jesus Ferdinand Ortega said funding was crucial for the construction of more than 2,000 kilometers of bike lanes nationwide.

He added that as of July 31, 2024, there were 812 kilometers of established bike lanes in the country, still far from the 2,400 kilometers goal by 2028.