MBC and Shell Pilipinas Corporation help
San Juan City develop safer streets

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10 May 2023 – San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora, with representatives from Shell Pilipinas Corporation, Boysen Paints, and Makati Business Club launched an Asphalt Art project along Pinaglabanan Street in San Juan City to promote the safety of bike commuters and pedestrians in the area.

Artwork on the streets has been found to slow down vehicular traffic more than just the usual stripes or lines do. This has been found to reduce accidents, especially those involving pedestrians and cyclists. The project is inspired by the Asphalt Art Initiative funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies in 2020 across the United States and Europe.

Located in one of San Juan’s busiest streets, the project provides a safer, wider, and more visible pedestrian crossing between San Juan City Hall and Pinaglabanan Elementary School. It also provides a wider right-of-way for bike commuters merging along the street, and fills gaps in the existing bike lanes in the area.

MBC, San Juan, Shell, and Boysen representatives were all present at the launch

San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora led the formal unveiling, giving his gratitude and full support for the project. “Ako po’y nagpapasalamat sa Makati Business Club, Shell Pilipinas, at sa Boysen sapagkat sa araw na ito ay meron po tayong masisilayan na asphalt art street”, said Mayor Zamora. He was joined today by Vice Mayor Warren Villa, and Councilors Franco Tanada-Yam, Kit Peralta, Don Alado, Ariel Atad, and Totoy Bernardo.

Project leads of MBC and Shell Pilipinas Corporation were also present. “Dito po sumasagisag yung layunin ng ating lungsod na maging safe ang ating mga lugar, maging safe ang ating mga siklista, maging safe ang ating mga mananakay, at ganon rin sa ating mga driver na mapapanatili silang safe sa lansangan”, Shell’s Country Manager for Social Investments Conrad Parizal said. “Mahalaga ang roads, bridges, trains, and infrastructure, pero lalong mahalaga ang pedestrian lanes and bicycle lanes para sa mga tao na walang kotse o motorsiklo, at ito ang nakikita natin ngayon dito sa asphalt art project dito sa San Juan ”, added by MBC Executive Director Coco Alcuaz,

Shell Pilipinas Corporation is the main partner of MBC’s Business for Biking Program. The asphalt art street was conceptualized and implemented by Shell’s National Students Art Competition alumni, Emil Aldrine Alarcon, Didier Marc Alarcon, Ferd Angelo Failano, Mherlo Mahinay, Glenn Gonzales, Venice Florencio, Andrew Rimpola, and Marko Sarmiento.

“Talagang makakaasa kayo sa Boysen Paints na patuloy magiging katuwang ng syudad sa lahat po ng inyong magiging proyekto, pang-imprakstura man o para sa ikagaganda ng parks,” said Vergel Dyoco, Marketing Manager of Boysen Paints, who provided the paint for the project. “As we celebrate our 70th year in the industry, we’re so thankful to be part of everything that’s sustainable and environment friendly.”

Mayor Zamora with Vice Mayor Warren Villa, and Councilors Franco Tanada-Yam, Kit Peralta, Don Alado, Ariel Atad, and Totoy Bernardo.

With the support of Team On Ground Integrated, Shell’s partner activation agency, several local artists spent one week painting the project. San Juan’s PIO, TPMO, and GSD offices provided crucial assistance as well.

Monitoring of the project and its impact will continue in the coming months.

MBC’s transportation advocacy is aimed at safe, reliable mobility especially for the people who need it most, the 94 percent of households who don’t have cars, the 63 percent who don’t have motorcycles.

Safe, reliable mobility means better trains and PUVs. But it also means better bike lanes, better sidewalks and crossings for pedestrians.

Interested in MBC’s transportation initiatives? Get in touch with MBC’s Business for Biking Team at: https://bit.ly/ContactMBC-BusinessForBiking.

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