[sustran] Possible bike path in Manila

[John Ernst]

The Philippine Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) say they are
working to develop a bike path in Metro Manila.  The mayor of Marakina, Mr.
Bayani Fernando, would very much like to see a bicycle network developed
which would expand on existing bikeways along the Marakina river in eastern
Metro Manila.  

A recent World Bank mission to Manila on February 16-23 supported the
effort.  The resulting aide memoire, by World Bank Transport Engineer Sally
Burningham, asked for DPWH to request the Bank to include this under their
existing project (MMUTRIP) with a feasibility study assisted by the
National Center for Transportation Studies, Univ. of the Philippines -
Diliman.

I've heard, but not confirmed, that Ms. Burningham also assisted with Bank
support for the bike path opened in Bangkok last year.  Philippine DPWH
said the Bank is not necessarily limiting the Manila bike project to only
Marakina.  

In addition, SUSTRAN assembly members in Manila have been pushing hard to
have the parallel Japanese (JICA) transport project include a bicycle
component.  Perhaps the World Bank's support will help JICA see some
advantages to bicycles and other NMTs?

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John Ernst
  Manager -- Sustainable Transport Program
  IIEC Asia
     8 Sukhumvit Soi 49/9
     Bangkok, Thailand 10110
  Phone: +66(2) 381-0814, or 712-6057, 712-6058
  Fax: +66(2) 381-0815
  E-mail: jernst at loxinfo.co.th
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