Sa Ikauunlad Ng Bayan, Bisikleta Ang Kailangan

(This article was originally published in my sports page column Self-Propelled

in the August 14 to 20, 2011 issue of the Baguio Chronicle

--- a weekly newspaper based in Baguio City, Philippines.)

He started the joke. But the joke was on him.

One story about the early days of Martial Law that remains in my memory until today is about television host Ariel Ureta who, live on national television, said “sa ikauunlad ng bayan, bisikleta ang kailangan”, rephrasing President Ferdinand Marcos’ catch-phrase “sa ikauunlad ng bayan, disiplina ang kailangan”.

Obviously irritated, the story goes, Marcos’ military agents literally dragged Ariel Ureta off the stage and locked him up at the Camp Crame stockade for a night. Giving him a dose of his own joke the following morning, Ariel Ureta was made to bicycle around Camp Crame grounds all day.

When Martial Law was lifted about ten years after, Ariel Ureta stood his ground, citing China who pedaled her way to progress.

Ironically, nearly 40 later after the “bad joke”, no less than the former Dictator’s only son, Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. filed in the Senate a bill granting incentives to bicycle commuters to address the primordial problems of air pollution, traffic and road congestion, rising costs of gasoline and other commodities, personal health problems, and other related social issues.

The proposed bill, Sen. Marcos said, also seeks to “incentivize” bicycle use as a mode of daily transport, particularly the use by workers and students, in order to maintain the present bicycle-commuting scene and also attract more bicycle users in the country.

Senate Bill No. 2924, known as “an act granting incentives to encourage and promote commuting by bicycles or other non-motorized transport vehicles, and for other purposes,” will entitle employees who regularly and mainly use bicycles or other non-motorized transport vehicles as means of transport to and from their places of work to an annual tax deduction of P2,500 from their gross income.

“Expenses incurred by employers or schools in providing their employees or students, by way of benefits, bicycles and non-motorized transport vehicles, eligible equipment, and bike-friendly facilities shall be deductible in full from their gross income,” the bill states.

Bicycles and other non-motorized transport vehicles granted by employers to its managerial and supervisory employees in compliance will not also be taxable under the bill.

“This bill seeks to introduce a world-renowned approach to solving the above primordial problems of our society: the promotion and re-invigoration, by way of fiscal incentives, of bicycle commuting on Philippine roads,” Marcos explained.

“The specific targets are the employees and students who shall be the direct participants in the fiscal incentive program or system, as well as the employees, schools, companies and other institutions that shall provide the conditions for the system,” Marcos said.

“Riders and direct users are benefited by bicycle-related facilities and tax deduction incentives, while indirect participants are benefited also by way of tax deduction on expenses and corporate social responsibility programs,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, Bike Tour Philippines reported that a Manila-based group advocating the use of bicycle as a mode of transportation in the country is hopeful for the passage of House Bill 4785 or the Bicycle Act of 2011 that seeks the establishment of a local bikeway office or LBO.

Filed by Pasay City Representative Emi Calixto-Rubiano, the bill mandates that the municipal engineer in the cities would be responsible for the project development, management and implementation of a bikeway project and roadmap.

The LBO will also establish partnerships with local or foreign organizations to carry out the provisions of the act and will also push for the registration of all bicycles operating within the bikeways.

According to Firefly Brigade president Ricky Pineda, the bike group has been promoting the use of bicycle for clean air for more than a decade now and the bill can help the group’s advocacy.

“We are particularly pleased on the on the emphasis on the creation of bicycle parks and we welcome this bill as well,” Pineda said.

The Firefly Brigade is hoping that the bill could also emphasize the role of promoting the bicycle as a climate change mitigating tool and the incentives to further promote bicycle use.

“We also would like to seek emphasis on stronger stakeholder consultation and institutionalizing a city-based bicycle day which would help broaden the awareness of the communities in this regard,” Pineda said.

If the bill gets approved, Pineda added that the form or means of registration should also be clarified and be exercised carefully as it may only constrict rather than promote the use of bicycles for more people as a means of transportation.

The Bicycle Act of 2011 will be implemented by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

Once passed, all bicycle riders or cyclists are also mandated to obey traffic regulations, signs and other control devices applicable to vehicles, wear the appropriate gear and ensure that their bicycles are equipped with reflective materials visible from both sides or they would be fined P2,000 for the violation.

Until then and have a safe ride all the time. Put on that cycling helmet each time you get on your bike. Remember: YOU CAN BEAT THE EGG WITHOUT BREAKING THE SHELL.* (SP12)