APEC transport ministers adopt Philippine proposal promoting inclusive mobility

MANILA, Philippines - Transport ministers of the 21-member Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) adopted the Philippines’ proposal to come up with a framework that would promote inclusive mobility within the region to ensure all sectors of society have access to safe and efficient transport systems.

Transport Secretary Joseph Abaya, who served as chair of the 9th APEC Transportation Ministerial Meeting, said the ministers have all agreed to endorse the country’s proposal to draw a framework for inclusive mobility in the region.

“The inclusive mobility framework espoused by the Philippines is now covered by the Joint Ministerial Statement that would be the roadmap for the APEC to work on for the next two years,” he said.

In the joint statement, the APEC’s transport ministers said they are endorsing the initiative to create an inclusive mobility framework for the region, citing such would increase productivity and support acceleration of economic growth.

Under the Philippines’ proposal, the inclusive mobility framework would mean providing all sectors of society access to safe and efficient transport.

In particular, the transport systems should be made accessible to the less privileged, persons with disability, women, children and the elderly.

The framework is envisioned to pave the way for the development of projects, programs, activities and transport planning mechanisms to address the transport needs of all individuals.

Sherielysse Reyes Bonifacio, assistant secretary for planning and finance at the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said the inclusive mobility framework proposed by the country would encourage cost-effective modes of transport such as biking and walking.

With the endorsement of the proposal, Abaya said the APEC economies would pursue the creation of a framework and take into account inclusive mobility in their respective transport plans.

“Our endorsement means commitment such will be pursued and eventually institutionalized in our economies,” he said.

In the Philippines, many individuals are already using their bicycles to get from one point to the next.

To encourage biking, Bonifacio said guidelines and programs to make such easier and safer for individuals would be needed.

To entice people to walk, projects also need to be undertaken to improve and make the country’s sidewalks safe.

Bonifacio said the DOTC is currently working with the Asian Development Bank and international non-governmental organization Clean Air Asia to connect the Ortigas central business district as well as to link malls in the area such as SM Megamall, Robinsons Galleria and Shangri-La Plaza to the Ortigas station of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 through walkways.