When the pandemic put the country in a standstill, many of the everyday yet vital services Filipinos had access to were revoked—one of which was transportation.

The absence of public transportation due to social distancing effectively limited every household's capability to commute for essentials, and many relied on biking as their lifeline.

Recognizing the urgency in supporting its customers and surrounding communities during the challenges of the pandemic, SM Supermalls strengthened the drive for Active Mobility across all of its malls nationwide. Since then, the mall leader has become a home and advocate for Active Mobility, remaining consistent in forging spaces that not only accommodate, but protect bikers.

Because of this effort, SM has won the trust and confidence of its stakeholders in advocating for sustainable travel, culminating in a record-breaking 34-win citation at the 2025 Mobility awards.

"What began as a heartfelt initiative to support bikers during COVID, has now become an integrated bike program spanning every single SM mall in the country," said SM Supermalls Executive Vice President for Marketing, Joaquin San Agustin. "Active Mobility plays a crucial role not just in preserving the environment but in the enrichment of every Filipino. Thus, SM aims to continually foster the culture of biking across its properties by creating beloved places where movement is safe, easy, and inclusive for everyone."

Active Mobility Advances Through Coaction

Through a collaboration between its Corporate Social Responsibility arm, SM Cares, its mall operations, and biking communities, SM continues to refine itself as a bike-friendly space championing maxed-out Active Mobility, cycling, and inclusive transport.

"It started with us setting up parking spots exclusive to bikes to ease access for cyclists picking up essentials in our malls. Then when the volume of cyclists picked up even as the lockdown eased, we knew we had to do more for them," said Mina Kahn, SM Division Head and Assistant Vice President for Transportation Management.

For the mall leader, this meant improving transport access through sustainable means it could easily replicate across its properties nationwide. This involved carving out dedicated spaces equipped with essential tools to safeguard and repair bikes, protecting bikes from scratches with upcycled tires cushioning racks, the introduction of intuitive bike lanes for biker safety, and the promotion of the culture of cycling.

From there, bike-friendly features have become staples even in recent developments and renovations with plans to implement more secure bike parking, install more racks, and clearer cycling lanes around the malls. Cycling groups also found a conducive haven for activities at SM properties. Biking events were regularly encouraged and hosted, with surrounding tenants adjusting operating hours to accommodate cyclists, further promoting biking not just as a mode of transportation but as a lifestyle and sport one could enjoy.

This in turn earned SM a total of 34 accolades at the recent Mobility Awards: One Gold, 11 Silver and 22 bronze for nationwide mall efforts in promoting and protecting cycling as a culture across its properties.

Additionally, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) cited SM's sustainable approach as a demonstration of its leadership, innovation and long-term commitment to making active transport safer and more accessible to Filipinos. Its Pedal Power 2025 program was highlighted for this year's Notable Advocacy Program and the SM Supermalls Sustainable Mobility and Bike-Friendly program received a citation for Notable Development by the Private Sector.

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) committed anew its support for the government’s transportation infrastructure development efforts crucial to the country’s pandemic recovery and economic growth.  

In a meeting with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Meralco President and CEO Atty. Ray C. Espinosa affirmed the power distributor’s assistance through continuing pole relocation and energization activities in support of the agency’s ongoing and planned transportation projects geared towards greatly benefiting the public.   

“As the country’s largest power distribution utility, Meralco is cognizant of the importance of stable and reliable electric service in the timely completion and effective operations of DOTr’s infrastructure projects. The government can always count on Meralco’s continued and full support for these initiatives which will help spur the Philippines’ post-pandemic recovery and renewed drive towards economic progress,” Atty. Espinosa said.

  Among the new transportation projects requiring substantial power supply are the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Packages 2 and 3, North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Extension from Calamba to Batangas; MRT-4; LRT-2 East Cogeo Extension; LRT-2 West Extension; LRT-6 Cavite Line A; MRT-7 Extension Project; EDSA Greenways; EDSA Bus Rapid Transit-Busway Concourse; Pasig River Expressway; Southern Access Link Expressway; and Northern Access Link.

  Meralco is also currently undertaking a pole relocation project in support of the ongoing construction of NAIAxEDSA Tramo Connecting Ramp and Skyway Stage 4.

  In May 2019, Meralco and DOTr signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) underscoring the parties’ close coordination for the timely completion of Common Station, LRT-1 Cavite Extension, MRT-7, Metro Manila Subway, PNR South Long Haul (from Manila to Sorsogon), and the three phases of North-South Commuter Railway System, namely PNR North 1 (from Tutuban to Malolos, Bulacan), PNR North 2 (from Malolos to Clark, Pampanga), and PNR South Commuter (from Solis to Calamba, Laguna).  

Meralco and DOTr are likewise working together to ensure the timely grant of necessary permits and rights-ofway (ROW), clearances, access and authority for properties within their jurisdiction, in order for Meralco to fully implement the related relocation projects and to continuously operate its electrical facilities.  

Since 2020, Meralco has relocated more than 2,500 poles and has energized 21 facilities to support the government’s infrastructure projects.  

“We are grateful to Meralco for their renewed commitment to support our projects. Long before these projects become operational, Meralco has been and remains a loyal partner in supplying power critical for these projects to prosper,” DOTr Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said.  

First few days of the new administration, and there are irregularities already, specifically in the Philippine Ports Authority as incoming ES Vic Rodriguez announced the appointment of Christopher Pastrana as General Manager of the Philippine Ports Authority. Now, the appointment is in question.

The appointment reportedly caught the 2 other members of the screening committee, Naida Angping and Anton Lagdameo by surprise. More importantly, the appointment was announced at the same time as that of incoming DOTR Secretary Jimmy Bautista, even before the latter has even accepted.

And that was critical, because since PPA is an agency attached to the DOTR, such should have been vetted with him. That courtesy was extended to incoming Finance Secretary Ben Diokno, who had a say in the appointments of the respective heads of BSP,BIR and BOC. But not in the case of PPA. And the plot thickens, once one starts going deeper to find out who Pastrana is, and who his business partner is.

Pastrana is the President of two companies- Archipelago Philippines Ferries Corporation and Philippine Archipelago Ports and Terminal Services and Philharbor Ferries and Port Services. Archipelago owns FastCat ferries, while Philippine Archipelago operates port terminals.

These consideration should have legally disqualified Pastrana from being appointed to PPA, or to any other government agency that regulates his businesses. But it seems that ES Rodriguez failed to see this, even if Pastrana’s business partner is Dennis Trajano, Rodriguez’s bilas (their wives being sisters). Trajano, in fact, sits as Chairman of the board of both companies.