A House leader said wide pedestrians and bike lanes should be improved using the unspent funds from road users tax.

According to Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Ralph Recto, there is an unspent balance of P82.2 billion as of 2021 that can be used to improve the pedestrian lanes and even bike lanes.

“Sidewalks and bike lanes have been “sidelined and waylaid” in the government’s infrastructure menu but these “active mobility” facilities should be mainstreamed,” Recto said.

Through an amendment of the law creating the Motor Vehicle Users Charge ( MVUC), administration of collections have been transferred to the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Recto wants the DPWH to include pedestrian and bike ways as “a pillar” of its activities.

“It is time to elevate wide pedestrian and bike lanes, whether ground-level or elevated, covered or not, to the league of major construction works,” Recto said.

At present, Recto noted that safe pathways for people biking or walking are being built by the Department of Transportation.

“But I think DPWH should get into the act, because these projects fall under its mandate more than DOTR does,” Recto said.

Recto said building elevated walkways in pedestrian-dense areas will help decongest roads of cars and give people the option of walking to short distance destinations.

“Mas nanaisin ng mga tao na lakarin na lang ang isa o dalawang kilometro kung ito ay nasa ligtas at may bubong na elevated walkways,” he said.

Unfortunately, these facilities are not on the government’s spending radar, Recto said.

“The policy bias is toward people who ride in cars, but not for people who walk or bike, when cost-wise catering to the latter uses fewer government resources.”

The lawmaker believes the government has the money and the expertise, “but lacks the will” to build active mobility infrastructure.