Holistic Support to Move People, Not Cars

21 January 2022 – Representatives from government, business, and civil society shared their support for cyclists at the 3-day Cycling & Active Transport Expo in January 2022.

Foodpanda’s Director of Operations Patricia Jacinto and SM Supermalls’ Chito Bauzon recommend putting sustainability at the core of business operations and forming partnerships with like-minded organisations. Dutch experts, Wim Bot (Dutch Cyclists Union) and Mirjam Borsboom (Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management in the Netherlands) advised that for starter countries like the Philippines, safety infrastructure and political leadership with a clear vision for active transport are crucial in improving the cycling scene. 

Civil society representatives highlighted the importance of designing more people-oriented roads and policies as the next step in creating a more inclusive and sustainable transportation ecosystem in the Philippines. “Design dictates behavior,” Aldrin Pelicano (MNL Moves) said. Sharing a similar vision, government representatives shared a glimpse of their upcoming plans to promote the same agenda. Dasha Uy (Department of Health) revealed that part of the Health Promotions Bureau’s framework is to launch an education and behavior change campaign on the benefits of active transport. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte shared that active transport initiatives, such as expanding the bike lane network, are part of their COVID-19 Recovery Plan. 

The virtual expo was organized by Makati Business Club, Embassy of the Netherlands in the Philippines, Dutch Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, Dutch Cycling Embassy, and Shell Philippines. The 3-day expo also featured Filipino and Dutch exhibitors – including Arcadis, LBC Express, Philips Lighting, ITP, Shell Philippines, Loendersloot Consultancy, Dutch Cycling Embassy,  and the Dutch Chamber. Fees collected from exhibitors will be donated to the Wheels For Work donation drive, providing bikes to Filipino workers in need nationwide.

For those who are interested in supporting this advocacy, we invite you to take the pledge to be a Biking-Friendly Business by clicking here: Bike-Friendly Business Pledge or may get in touch with Trisha Teope, Foreign Programs Officer at the Makati Business Club: trisha.teope@mbc.com.ph.