QUEZON CITY, July 27, 2026 — Conveners of the Mobility Awards are calling on lawmakers and local government units (LGUs) to bridge the gap in active transport infrastructure, following the absence of walking and cycling in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).
The omission stands in stark contrast to a recent Pulse Asia survey, which revealed that 94 percent of Filipinos strongly support the construction of safer and wider bicycle lanes and walkways.
“By ignoring active transport, the SONA has turned its back on the 94% carless majority,” said Amber Garma, national coordinator for the Mobility Awards. “For millions of workers, walking and cycling are not lifestyle choices—they are financial lifelines that drive daily productivity. It is deeply frustrating that our highest leadership continues to neglect the safety and welfare of the carless majority, while funding and infrastructure remain heavily skewed toward the 6% who own private cars.”
Advocates highlighted the alarming 94% Paradox: while public demand is near-unanimous, the national budget for active transport infrastructure suffered a 94% crash over the last four years—plummeting from PHP 2 billion in 2022 to a mere PHP 105 million in 2026.
Despite the lack of presidential mention, mobility advocates are urging Congress and LGUs to bypass national inaction. The Pulse Asia survey, conducted last May 2026, demonstrated that the public heavily favors integrated transit solutions, including expanded public transport lanes (93%) and transit subsidies (82%), while prioritizing private vehicles scored the lowest support at 72%.
“The President may have missed the mark, but Congress and our local leaders cannot afford to stay blind to the public’s clear demands,” Garma added. “We demand that Congress reverse years of fiscal neglect by locking in at least a PHP 1 billion budget for active transport for 2027, and we call on LGUs to immediately step up with local funds to safeguard our commuters and cyclists.”
The Mobility Awards recognizes outstanding champions of active transport across the Philippines. It is convened by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, MNL Moves, The Climate Reality Project Philippines, 350 Pilipinas, and Pinay Bike Commuter in partnership with local active transport organizations nationwide.
CONTACT:
Denise Fontanilla, Mobility Awards communications coordinator
denise@350pilipinas.org, +63 917 851 4890
