Liveable Cities 🏡
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Welcome! 👋 This chat room is dedicated to conversations about improving the quality of life in Philippine cities. Worsening traffic, urban decay, access to basic services, green open spaces and third spaces, people-centered transportation, and balancing heritage conservation with economic progress are just some of the topics we discuss here. Watch out for community chats and other community events! Share with us your ideas and initiatives. Let's collaborate to make the Philippines more liveable.
The MMDA is eyeing to implement a carpooling program in Metro Manila in response to the energy conservation efforts of the government. MMDA Chairman Don Artes now presides over an inter-agency meeting. @here
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So, what is this carpooling program all about? Under this program, private cars, including company cars, will be allowed to carpool to lessen the demand for fuel. The government eyes to release the final guidelines after the Holy Week.
UV Express, however, expressed concern that the carpooling program could compete with them.
For the carpooling program, the vehicle must be registered with the government. Details, however, has yet to be discussed.
Despite concerns that the carpooling program could affect their business, Angkas expressed support for the MMDA’s initiative. The company also proposed setting up pick-up bays at carpool drop-off points to offer last-mile transport to commuters’ doorsteps, adding that it is considering offering discounts as well.
But carpooling in this manner is allowed naman with or without MMDA policy right? Whats the difference with the MMDA policy? Incentives, new system that centralizes, infrastructure (like set pick up and drop off points)?
Based on the discussion here, others use “carpooling” for profit. They are tagged as colorum or illegal.
This is the proposed list of requirements for MMDA-coordinated or company-initiated shuttle programs:
* Proposed route plan
* Fleet list and vehicle details
* Proof of ownership or transport contract
* Passenger eligibility list or company certification
Should this program proceed, the requirements should be submitted to LTFRB.
Hello! We created a tracker on how much fuel prices have increased since US-Israeli war with Iran erupted in February. Here's a snippet of the chart. See more details @here https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/data-documents/metro-manila-fuel-price-tracker-middle-east-conflict-march-2026/
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My comment on the carpooling initiative launched by MMDA LTO and LTFRB:
Carpooling is most welcome and much needed. However, the promotion of carpooling is a relatively weak response to an emergency demanding decisive and substantial action to reduce fuel consumption and encourage a shift to the most fuel-efficient and people-oriented modes of travel. Filipinos willing to carpool are already carpooling in their own neighborhoods, motivated by the high cost of fuel.
Carpooling may improve the productivity and economic impact of car use, but it serves only those who have access to cars and carpools; in the end, carpooling may be used as the justification for preserving and prioritizing existing road space for private cars—which is the wrong thing to do.
In these times, rather than preserve road space for cars, we need to prioritize road space for the most efficient and fuel-efficient modes—walking, cycling and public transport. This is the message we need to hear from the highest levels of government, including from MMDA. The vast majority of Filipinos do not have access to a car or car pool.
Carpooling is also rendered ineffective once fuel rationing is introduced, and that day may be coming faster than we think. When that day comes, when supplies are severely limited, what makes sense is to limit fuel distribution to (1) higher capacity and fuel-efficient public transport vehicles (buses, PUJs) and (2) freight for essential goods. When that day comes, we need to focus on public transport, walking and cycling.
Today, the response to the fuel crisis should be about preserving the supply of public transport and making active transport as safe and attractive as possible. Road space should be converted into dedicated lanes for public transport so buses, jeeps and UV Express can travel more efficiently, without being stuck in traffic. Limited subsidies for public transport should be offered to PUVs using a net service contracting approach (where PUVs
still collect fares), instead of “libreng sakay.”
Even before fuel supplies are strictly rationed, we should make walking and cycling safe and viable for everyone, especially for kids getting to and from school. On all major roads in all towns and cities (and given that sidewalks are usually missing or too narrow), we need to create protected bike lanes and sidewalks out of the full vehicle lane (3.5 meter width) closest to the curbside.
There should be instructions for all LGUs and DPWH to create such exclusive active transport lanes with physical barriers (“pop-up lanes”) within the next two weeks using all available means (even painted plastic bottles filled with sand, flower pots and planter boxes as barriers, and involving community participation, if needed). In the coming budget cycle, these pop-up lanes should be made permanent and high quality so that we can have more mobile, livable, healthy and sustainable communities. Filipinos want and deserve more walkable and bikeable areas. Police and traffic enforcers (plus NCAP) should protect these active transport lanes from entry of any motor vehicle. Light electric vehicles (LEVs) should be welcomed on these lanes and on all public roads. Secure bicycle parking and bicycle end of trip facilities should be created at all public and private destinations.
People flock to the EDSA Bus Carousel Main Avenue station on Saturday, April 4, as the MRT shuts down for its annual maintenance.
MRT, LRT-1, and LRT-2 are all expected to resume operations on Monday, April 6.
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A magnitude 5.1 earthquake strikes near Bogo City, in the northern part of Cebu, at 3:22 pm on Monday, April 6.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) says the tremor was also felt in neighboring provinces in the Visayas region.
Photo from PHIVOLCS
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The Cebu Provincial Government said in a post on their official Facebook page that all 16 provincial hospitals remain operational.
They added that the Cebu Provincial Hospital in Bogo City safely evacuated its patients while the Sogod District Hospital reported minor infrastructure damage.
Gov’t to roll out service contracting for PUVs on April 15
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will roll out a service contracting program for public utility vehicles (PUVs) starting Wednesday, April 15, in response to rising fuel prices driven by tensions in the Middle East.
The program will cover the EDSA Bus Carousel, as well as modern and traditional jeepneys operating along routes that pass LRT and MRT stations and major transport hubs. It will also be implemented in other urban areas, not just in Metro Manila.
Under the scheme, the government will directly compensate PUV drivers for services rendered as they continue transporting passengers. LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza III earlier said fares for government-contracted PUVs will be lower.
For background: The service contracting program was first launched under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, also known as Bayanihan 2, to help public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers affected by the pandemic.
Three-digit oil prices have become the norm at many gas stations as the Philippines grapples with the effects of the ongoing Middle East crisis.
What changes have you made to cope with rising fuel costs? Send your answers @here.
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House lawmakers meet on Wednesday, April 8, to discuss the possible relief package by Congress in response to the oil and energy crisis driven by the situation in the Middle East. @here Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/live/UWv3UUzMwFY?si=RrL83SQU0fxuMklW
Thousands of tricycle drivers in Dumaguete City flocked in Barangay Calindagan Gymnasium on Wednesday, April 8, to claim the P5,000 national fuel subsidy.
Some lined up as early as 8 a.m. as over 1,900 registered drivers and operators are expected to appear during the one-day payout.
The distribution of cash assistance was officiated by DSWD-Negros Island Region, as as part of the national government’s efforts to support public vehicle drivers amid rising fuel costs.
Aside from this, the city government has also been distributing fuel coupons to local resident drivers which started last March 25. @here
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Hello, everyone! Here's your #CaviteNews for today, from photo journalist Dennis Abrina. Most visitors, who come from neighboring areas, leave alcohol bottles, plastic cups, plastic bottles, and other kinds of trash when they come swimming here, the residents say.
INDANG VISITORS ASKED TO CLEAN AS THEY GO
Residents of Barangay Alulod in Indang, Cavite, urge local tourists who come to Timbugan Falls and Palsahingin Falls to clean up after they are done enjoying the place.
The rivers are where residents do their laundry and get their water for household use.
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Hello! I'm covering the Department of Transportation's press conference regarding the service contracting program, which will be rolled out next week, Apirl 15. @here
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday, April 9, announced the rollout of an expanded service contracting program and fuel subsidy to support public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers struggling with high fuel prices. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/marcos-rolls-out-puv-service-contracting-program-fuel-subsidy-april-15-2026/
How much money is alloted for service contracting? P1 billion alloted for service contracting. Here’s a breakdown: P800 million for road transport 200 million for maritime transpo
Under the initiative, PUV operators and drivers will receive additional payments ranging from P40 to P100 per kilometer, on top of their regular income from passenger fares. Commuters, meanwhile, will benefit from at least a 20% fare discount.
So, how much will the government pay the drivers or operators? It will depend on the distance they travelled. Here’s the breakdown: P100 PER KM - EDSA BUS CAROUSEL P40 PER KM - MODERN JEEPNEY P30 PER KM - ORDINARY JEEPNEY
Public utility vehicle drivers who want to be part of the program is required to have a GPS. This will allow the government to track the distance travelled by PUVs and computation of the amount to be paid by the government to PUVs.
The rent of GPS per month is P500. This will be shouldered by the drivers or operators, who are part of the service contracting.
To be part of the service contracting program, an online application will be available, LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza said. Comprehensive details will be released soon, according to Mendoza.
Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez said the program will cover 823 routes across the country.
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The Department of Transportation is reviving the service contracting program. How will this program benefit commuters and drivers? Here are the things you should know about this program @here : https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/things-to-know-puv-service-contracting-middle-east-conflict/