[sustran] Good News from Philippines

[Sudhir]

*President issues order encouraging people to walk, bike, and ride the train
*

By GENALYN KABILING

http://www.mb.com.ph/MTNN20090209147669.html


In an effort to reduce the country's carbon footprint and improve air
quality, President Arroyo has ordered transport authorities to craft a
national Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST) strategy for the
country.

In Administrative Order No. 254, the President said the Department of
Transportation and Communications (DoTC) must "reform" the transportation
sector, particularly favoring non-motorized locomotion (walking and cycling)
and mass transportation system in roads, to lessen consumption of fossil
fuels.

"The new paradigm in the movement of men and things must follow a simple
principle: Those who have less in wheels must have more in road," the
presidential order stated. Mrs. Arroyo directed the DoTC and the Department
of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to convert roads using such principle to
encourage more people to walk, bike, or catch the train rather than take
their cars over short distances.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) was designated to
coordinate with local government units and guide them on the plan to
transform transportation system to favor parties engaged in these
environment-friendly transportation alternatives.
The transportation department was recently designated head of a task group
that would reduce the country's use of fossil fuels that contribute to
global warming. In AO 254 signed last January 30, the President said the
Task Group on Fossil Fuels headed by Transportation and Communications
Secretary Leandro Mendoza must coordinate closely with government agencies,
international organizations, and the private sector on the formulation of a
national EST strategy. The President also ordered Malacanang and other
cabinet offices to bring down by 50 percent the use of fossil fuels within
two years.

She empowered the task group on fossil fuels to review the conformity of
current laws on provisions of EST, identify and prioritize programs on
achieving EST, and establish institutional and technical infrastructure
requirement to implement the program. Presidential Adviser on Climate Change
Heherson Alvarez was also assigned to consult with consumer groups and
conduct media campaigns to reduce consumption of fossil fuels.
Environment Secretary Lito Atienza will sit as deputy head of the task group
on fossil fuels with members, namely, Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, Public
Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., Executive Secretary
Eduardo Ermita, Alvarez, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr., Interior and
Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Health Secretary Francisco Duque,
Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, National
Economic and Development Authority director general Ralph Recto.

Other members are the chief executive officer and commissioner of the
Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, chairman of the Metro Manila
Development Authority, chairperson of the National Commission on the Role of
Filipino Women, and representatives from academe and private sector.
To support the operations of the Task Group, the President assigned DBM to
set aside funds from the Special Vehicle Pollution Control Fund of the Motor
Vehicle Users' Charges and other funding sources.
The administrative order can be viewed at
http://www.op.gov.ph/directives/AO254.pdf  &
http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/propertyvalue-27072.html
best regards, Sudhir Gota
Transport Specialist
CAI-Asia Center
Unit 3510, 35th Floor, Robinsons-Equitable Tower,
ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
Tel: +63-2-395-2843
Fax: +63-2-395-2846
http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia
Skype : sudhirgota
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