Go supports bills on sustainable, alternative transportation

Not only are they necessary to help ease our transportation concerns but they are also relevant to the issues surrounding environmental and health concerns, especially during this time of the pandemic

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Thursday expressed support on four bills seeking to promote sustainable and alternative modes of transportation.

During the hearing of the Senate Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, Innovation and Futures Thinking, Go said he will give his full support on Senate Bills 66, 332, 319 and 948 as these are necessary especially now

that the coronavirus pandemic has greatly affected mass transportation and the entire transportation sector.

“I would like to express my full support for the bills being heard today. Not only are they necessary to help ease our transportation concerns but they are also relevant to the issues surrounding environmental and health concerns, especially during this time of the pandemic,” Go said.

He cited the use of bicycles as another mode of transportation, underscoring the need for the government to designate bike lanes to ensure the protection of the bicycle riders.

“I have strongly been advocating for the use of bicycles these days. Since then, I have been also asking our countrymen to use bicycles in their daily commute. In relation to this, I have been urging various government agencies to designate bike lanes to ensure the ease and safety of those who opt to use such mode of transportation as well as the general public,” Go pointed out.

“Let us ensure that these lanes are properly assigned and there is proper demarcation and lighting to assure the safety of the road users,” he added.

Go also mentioned that in his hometown — Davao City — the local government unit has started marking the roads for bicycle lanes.

“In the midst of a pandemic, we are following social distancing. The use of bicycles is one of the simple ways to observe this. And I want to share that very recently, Davao City has already started demarcating bicycle lanes along its major thoroughfares,” he said.

“This is in recognition of the need to promote safe alternative modes of transportation while ensuring the safety of the public. We encourage other LGU (local government units) to follow suit,” Go added.

The bills, which were filed by Senators Pia Cayetano, Manny Pacquiao, Sonny Angara, Grace Poe and Nancy Binay, were referred under the Senate Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, Innovation and Futures Thinking after being originally referred to the Committee on Rules. These were also placed under the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change as secondary committee, while Senate Bill 66 was also referred to the Committee on Finance as the tertiary committee.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF BREX BRAZIL FB THE Agas-agas Bridge in Sogod, Southern Leyte – considered to be the tallest bridge in the Philippines – cuts the land travel time short from Luzon to Mindanao and provides a magnificent view to make it a tourist attraction itself.