Marikina rolls out bike-to-work challenge amid fuel price hikes

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan, Philippine News Agency

(Pexels photo)

MANILA – The Marikina city government has launched a biking challenge encouraging city hall employees to bike to work, promoting alternative transport and active mobility amid rising fuel prices.

Marikina Mayor Marjorie Ann “Maan” Teodoro said the initiative dubbed “Padyak Papasok: Bike to Work Marikina” aims to encourage city hall employees to use alternative transportation.

“Ang Marikina ay matagal nang bike-friendly city. Pero ngayon, gusto nating lalo pa itong palakasin. Higit pa sa challenge, ang gusto natin ay mas malusog na pamahalaan at mas sustainable na lungsod (Marikina has long been a bike-friendly city. But now, we want to strengthen it even more. More than the challenge, what we want is a healthier government and a more sustainable city),” Teodoro told employees during Monday’s flag-raising ceremony.

Running until December 2026, city hall offices and departments will compete for the highest number of employees biking to work and the most days of participation.

Teodoro said the department with the highest percentage of employees biking to work will receive awards and incentives at year’s end.

The initiative also aims to strengthen the city’s biking culture and infrastructure while promoting active mobility among residents.

“Inatasan na natin ang Marikina Bikeways Office na siguraduhin na fully functional ang lahat ng end-of-trip facilities para sa ating mga empleyado —lalo na ang facility sa Engineering Compound sa Barangay Sto. Niño— para kung may gustong mag-bike papasok sa trabaho, may lugar para magbihis, magpahinga, at maghanda sa trabaho (We have instructed the Marikina Bikeways Office to ensure that all end-of-trip facilities for our employees are fully functional —especially the facility at the Engineering Compound in Barangay Sto. Niño— so that if someone wants to bike to work, there is a place to get dressed, rest, and get ready for work),” Teodoro said.

The mayor also ordered the installation of more bike racks near schools and urged businesses to provide bike parking to accommodate more cyclists.

The biking challenge complements the city’s four-day workweek under Executive Order (EO) No. 05, Series of 2026, which Teodoro signed on March 9 to conserve energy and reduce electricity use at City Hall.

The policy follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to conserve energy and reduce fuel consumption amid rising global oil prices linked to the Middle East crisis.

Under the order, city offices will operate Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., allowing employees to complete the 40-hour workweek while reducing electricity consumption through the weekly closure of offices every Friday.

Teodoro said essential services and field operations, including the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, street maintenance teams, and public safety units, will continue operating without interruption.