Newly appointed Metropolitan Manila Development Authority General Manager Nicolas Torre III was praised for leading by example after he was spotted biking to the agency’s head office to personally inspect bike lanes in the metro.
The former police chief surveyed on Thursday, January 29, riding a bicycle along EDSA, Ortigas Avenue, Meralco Avenue and Julia Vargas Avenue.
Reports said Torre is promoting road-sharing and cycling as initiatives that benefit both health and traffic, noting that biking can help reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
During the survey, he acknowledged that some bike lane infrastructure needs improvement, including the creation of additional lanes along major thoroughfares such as EDSA, Commonwealth Avenue and Quezon Avenue.
“Ang mga kalsada natin, punong-puno lagi, lalo na ngayong rush hour, kaya inulit ko na naman ang pagbi-bisikleta sapagkat matagal ko na ring adbokasiya ito,” he told GMA Integrated News.
“Itong pagbi-bisikleta, kung maiksi lang biyahe mo, mga 15, 20 kilometers lang, eh, kayang-kaya ng bisikleta ‘yan, wala pang isang oras ‘yan,” Torre added.
The new MMDA general manager’s bike ride took over an hour, covering nearly 16 kilometers to the MMDA Head Office in Pasig City. Meanwhile, photos of Torre’s initiative have drawn attention online, with some Filipinos expressing hope that more government officials would immerse themselves on the ground to better serve the public.
“Ganyan dapat. Live by example. Immerse yourself in the realities of your surroundings. So you can have the feel of what it is going in the daily routine of the people below,” a Facebook user commented.
“Sana lahat na nagpapalakad ng gobyerno ganyan, nag-iikot rin sa lansangan at tinitignan kung anu-anong pangangailangan at dapat pa ipagawa. Isa pa, ma-experience din ang lagay ng lansangan, tulad niya nag-bike, nakatipid na, na-exercise pa si Sir,” another wrote.
“Sino nakagawa niyan as general? Much more respect sa kanya!
Dahil mas nakikita ang problema sa kalsada kapag nagbisikleta ka. Hindi mo naman ikakababa ang pagbibisikleta ah… As a leader of MMDA. Salute sayo, sir!” a different Facebook user commented.
“Dapat lahat ng public official, mandatory ipag-commute or ipag- bike. RS, GM Torre!” another Pinoy wrote.
Last week, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac was praised for taking the MRT instead of using a private vehicle, a move that stood out for a high-ranking government official.
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Earlier this month, Torre was appointed as General Manager of the MMDA.
MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said that Torre would serve as the agency’s spokesperson and manage 70%–80% of its daily operations.
Torre said traffic, flood and solid waste management are among his priorities as he takes on his new role.
Meanwhile, bike lanes were built on major roads in response to the need for alternative transportation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
They have since expanded to encourage the public to use bicycles instead of cars, helping alleviate traffic by reducing the number of vehicles on the road. — with reports from Philstar.com/Dominique Flores
