Manila’s Commuters Pushed for Safer Streets — and Won

The Move As One Coalition, comprising 142 civil society organizations and over 77,000 individuals, has successfully advocated for a shift in Philippine transport policy from car-centric models to inclusive, people-centered mobility. By utilizing data and research, the coalition highlighted that only 1% of road spending previously supported public transport, walking, or cycling. Their efforts have influenced approximately $946 million in immediate and $12 billion in long-term transport funding, leading to tangible improvements such as a dedicated busway on EDSA, a pedestrian boulevard along the Pasig River, a car-free zone in Intramuros, and over 1,200 kilometers of bike lanes nationwide. Additionally, the coalition secured better pay for transport workers through service contracting, moving from passenger-based pay to per-kilometer compensation.

• The Move As One Coalition, an alliance of 142 civil society organizations and more than 77,000 individuals, has worked to shift transportation policy in Manila and other Philippine cities to prioritize people over cars.
• Research conducted by the coalition revealed a significant imbalance in infrastructure investment, showing that only 1% of road spending was allocated to walking, cycling, or public transport.
• The coalition's advocacy has influenced the allocation of an estimated $946 million in immediate transport funding and $12 billion in medium- and long-term funding.
• Concrete infrastructure improvements resulting from this advocacy include a dedicated busway on the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), a pedestrian boulevard along the Pasig River, a car-free zone in Intramuros, and the creation of over 1,200 kilometers of bike lanes across the Philippines.
• Advocacy for service contracting has improved the financial stability of transport workers, such as bus drivers, by changing their pay structure from passenger-volume based to a per-kilometer rate.

APA

World Resources Institute (2026). Manila’s Commuters Pushed for Safer Streets — and Won. https://www.wri.org/insights/manilas-commuters-pushed-safer-streets-and-won

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Manila’s Commuters Pushed for Safer Streets — and Won. 2026. https://www.wri.org/insights/manilas-commuters-pushed-safer-streets-and-won.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Manila’s Commuters Pushed for Safer Streets — and Won |date=5 March 2026 |url=https://www.wri.org/insights/manilas-commuters-pushed-safer-streets-and-won |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitute2026manilas, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Manila’s Commuters Pushed for Safer Streets — and Won}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2026}, month = mar, url = {https://www.wri.org/insights/manilas-commuters-pushed-safer-streets-and-won}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }