MANILA, PHILIPPINES — In celebration of National Bicycle Month this November and in observance of the National Climate Change Week, the cities of Iloilo, Mandaue, and Naga were named as the most bike-friendly cities in the Philippines in the nationwide leg of the Mobility Awards.
The cities’ chief executives took pride in their protected bike lanes and interconnected networks in their path towards sustainability. “I believe that bike lanes contribute more space on the road and create the feeling of safety for many people who would like to bike. We look forward to having more safe, open spaces for the Ilonggos,” said Mayor Jerry Treñas who accepted the Gold Award for Iloilo City in a recorded message.
“Receiving the Silver Award is a validation of our efforts and motivation to continue our vision to be a sustainable and resilient Mandaue,” said Mayor Jonas Cortes.
This year’s Mobility Awards is jointly organized by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), The Climate Reality Project Philippines, MNL Moves, 350.org Pilipinas, and Pinay Bike Commuter Community, in collaboration with the League of Cities Philippines and twenty-seven (27) regional partners composed of civic groups and active mobility advocates across the country.
The initiative aims to replicate and expand the success of its Metro Manila leg in 2020 to cities outside of the capital. “The mobility revolution has really forged ahead, this year’s awards echoes the call of the majority of Filipinos to prioritize moving people over cars,” the organizers said.
“Cycling must not only be promoted today, their use must be endorsed all throughout as a primary alternative for cars. It is imperative that policies and infrastructure be laid out in order to ensure the effective advancement of the goals of city governments to become bicycle friendly,” said Mayor Nelson Legacion of Naga City, recipient of the Silver Award.
Three malls in Antipolo City were recognized as the most bike-friendly large commercial establishments nationwide, with SM Cherry Antipolo bagging the Gold Award, and both SM Masinag and Robinsons Place Antipolo receiving the Silver Award. For stand-alone enterprises nationwide, McDonald’s branches in Clark Gate, Angeles City and P. Oliveros, Antipolo City, as well as the Tourney Bike Shop in Dipolog City were hailed the top 3 and all ranked Bronze.
The Cebu Business Park, One Evotech office in Santa Rosa, Laguna, and Cebu IT Park were also given Silver Awards for being the most bike-friendly workplaces in the Philippines.
Apart from the nationwide winners, the most bike-friendly cities, commercial establishments, and workplaces in the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao regions were also recognized.
Mobility Awards also granted special recognition to cyclist riders who have continued to serve and provide the needs of the public amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Valerie de Guzman, founder of Valerides, a courier service provider that supports local farmers and small entrepreneurs in Baguio City, placed first in the Padyak Champion category.
Also from Baguio City, 7DA Errands by Bicycle founder Vince Dangiapo placed second and Gabriel Barrantes of Lucena Bike Courier (LUBCO) in Lucena City, Quezon ranked third.
Waquin Corregidor, an emergency responder from Leyte who was in the frontlines when Typhoon Haiyan hit back in 2013 and is now working as a bakery employee and pedicab driver, was hailed the Siklista ng Bayan champion this year. Lito Sudario, owner of a bike repair business in Tacloban City, and Peter Montalban, a PWD who sells newspapers in Danao City, Cebu, placed second and third respectively.
Siklista ng Bayan is a new category launched by the Mobility Awards this year that aims to recognize local entrepreneurs nationwide who are “pedaling” the talk by using active modes of transport to operate. This was open for nominations from the public.
The panel of judges this year is composed of Maria Golda Hilario of ICSC, Nazrin Castro of The Climate Reality Project Philippines, Aldrin Pelicano of MNL Moves, Chuck Baclagon of 350.org Pilipinas, Jaramia Amarnani of Pinay Bike Commuter, Maria Cristina Antonio of San Juan Resort Restaurant Hotel Association in La Union, Engr. Rhuelo Aradanas of Mindanao Bikers Clubs, Joseph Inosante of Base Camp Emergency Response Team Inc. in Cebu, and Karen Crisostomo of Bicycle Friendly Philippines. The Mobility Awards’ 27 regional partners also helped validate the nominations on the ground.
The Metro Manila round last year recognized Pasig, San Juan, and Marikina as the most bike-friendly cities in the region, while the SM Mall of Asia, SM Marikina, and Bonifacio High Street were awarded the most bike-friendly commercial establishments.
The organizers intend to hold the next nationwide leg of the Mobility Awards in 2022, which will include cities in NCR and incorporate pedestrian-friendly measures in the criteria.
