PASIG CITY—The city government of Pasig has declared biking as an essential mode of transportation in in the city during the implementation of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and probably after the Covid-19 crisis through Executive Order PCG-18, series of 2020 signed by Mayor Vico Sotto on March 25.
Under this Executive Order, “all bicycle shops and businesses primarily engaged in the repair and maintenance of bicycles are allowed to operate amid the lockdown.”
Furthermore, the said directive by the city mayor ordered the Pasig City Transportation Department and other concerned government of the city to identify locations of key repair shops and to undertake measures to upgrade and to expand the city’s bicycle lanes.
The Pasig City Transportation Department in its Facebook post said road works would commence on May 10, like creating new bike lanes and extending the sidewalks in some areas to accommodate bikers. Areas to be affected from this date are Market Avenue (Pasig Mega Market Area), Caruncho Avenue (around the City Hall Complex), Amang Rodriguez Avenue, East Bank to Marcos Highway.
This may be an election challenge fulfilled for Mayor Vico Sotto who faced all odds and took the reign of power in Pasig City after the May 2019 elections. Upon assumption to office, the Manila-based Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) urged on Metro Manila’s new and young leaders to come together and make everyday a World Bicycle Day.
“It’s time they work as one to focus on non-motorized transport options and promote cities friendly to those who pedal to work,” said Golda Hilario, associate for program development of ICSC.
The group called out then Mayors-elect Vico Sotto, Joy Belmonte, Abby Binay, Francis Zamora, and Isko Moreno to devise a plan of cooperation that would link Quezon City, Pasig, Makati, Manila and San Juan through protected bicycle lanes.
