The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is officially implementing new, stringent safety measures across the national road network, signaling a major policy pivot from a car-centric model to a comprehensive, commuter-focused approach.
Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez stressed the directive during the NLEX Transport Conference on Wednesday, confirming that the mandate comes directly from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure the safety of all road users.
“Road safety advocacy remains the government’s top priority,” said Acting Secretary Lopez. “As the President ordered, our roads must be safe for every road user—not just for motorists, but most especially for pedestrians, PWDs, senior citizens, pregnant women, and cyclists.”
Under this new direction, the DOTr will adhere strictly to the National Transport Policy and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, which dictates that pedestrians must be accorded the highest priority in the hierarchy of all road users.
Secretary Lopez clarified the tangible effect of this prioritization: “This means that those who use non-motorized transportation, such as bicycles and walking as a form of transportation, should have more rights on the road.”
This commitment is the central pillar of the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan 2023-2028, which serves as the national blueprint for road safety initiatives. The DOTr is actively coordinating with various government agencies to develop and implement these crucial road safety policies nationwide.
