“ Maraming hindi nagkokotse, mas maraming masang Pilipino… dahil sa mahal ng bilihin, lalakarin mo na lang tapos yung lalakaran mo, pinagkait pa sa’yo.
In cities across the Philippines, a quiet revolution is happening—one that starts with our feet. With clipboard in hand, cellphone camera ready, and curious eyes on sidewalks, crossings, ramps, and roads, citizens are walking not just for travel, but for change.
Through the country’s first Participatory Infrastructure Audit, ordinary Filipinos are stepping forward to shape the Active Transport Strategic Master Plan (ATSMP). This isn’t a study done behind office desks. It’s a community-led movement—walking the very streets that often make us feel unsafe, invisible, or excluded.
And best of all? It’s still ongoing—and you’re invited to be part of it.
What Is the Participatory Infra Audit?
Launched in June 2025 as part of the Department of Transportation’s Philippine Active Transport Strategic Master Plan (ATSMP) efforts, the Participatory Infrastructure Audit is a ground-level activity rooted in people’s lived experiences. It’s a walking conversation—a shared journey—where local residents, commuters, advocates, professionals, PWDs, and even public servants come together to assess their city’s walkability, bikeability, and accessibility.
Think of it as “walking with purpose.” Instead of just pointing out flaws, participants walk common routes (schools, palengkes, hospitals, terminals), observe conditions, discuss barriers, and document their insights.
It’s not just about measuring the width of sidewalks or the height of ramps—it’s about asking: “Safe ba ‘to para sa lahat?” “Maaari bang lakaran ito ng bata, buntis, matanda, o may kapansanan?” “Paano makakatulong ang lungsod para sa mas ligtas at mas maayos na karanasan?”
The Goals? Gather location-specific data, listen to community stories, and ensure that future active transport infrastructure responds to real people’s needs.
When and Where Have the Walk Audits Happened So Far?
As of July 2025, several cities across Luzon and Visayas have already hosted successful Infra Audits, with more cities on the way.
Here’s a glimpse of the audit dates and locations:
- Makati City – AM Walk on June 6, 2025
- Parañaque City – PM Walk on June 8, 2025
- Caloocan City – PM Walk on June 15, 2025
- Pateros – AM Walk on June 27, 2025
- Makati City (Second Route) – PM Walk on June 28, 2025
- Iloilo City (Two Routes) – AM and PM Walk on July 10, 2025
Each walk covers 1 to 2 kilometers of city routes, engaging around 8-30 volunteers, composed of youth leaders, senior citizens, women’s groups, government representatives, accessibility advocates, and even architects and urban planners.
And the experience? Eye-opening.
What We're Seeing, Hearing, and Learning on the Ground
Every city has a different story—but there’s one thing in common: people want safer, more dignified spaces for walking and biking.
Here are some of the most common and striking observations:
1. Sidewalks are often blocked.
In most cities, sidewalks were obstructed by parked vehicles, utility posts, vendor stalls, or construction debris. In some places, there were no sidewalks at all, leaving pedestrians to walk dangerously alongside cars and motorcycles.
2. Ramps and crossings are not user-friendly.
PWD ramps were often too steep or led to nowhere. There were missing tactile blocks for the blind, and very few pedestrian crossings had auditory or visual signals.
3. Shade, comfort, and safety are missing.
Participants consistently pointed out the lack of shaded paths, benches, drinking fountains, or even public toilets. In summer heat or sudden rains, walking becomes unbearable.
4. Streets are designed for cars, not people.
Wide lanes for cars but narrow, broken footpaths for people. Overhead pedestrian crossings with steep staircases. These design choices make mobility harder for seniors, pregnant women, parents with strollers, and PWDs.
But there’s good news, too.
In Makati’s CBD, participants saw working pedestrian signals, elevated paths, and well-marked crossings. In Iloilo City, a city known for its early investment in bike lanes, walk participants noted how city-wide efforts to promote active transport were already making lives easier for daily commuters.
Insights from the Audits: No One-Size-Fits-All Solution
One of the most important takeaways from this audit process is this: Every city has its own identity, challenges, and needs.
That’s why the ATSMP doesn’t believe in a “one template fits all” policy. The goal is to generate data that respects local context—barangay by barangay, city by city.
For example:
- In Parañaque, informal settlements affected sidewalk usability.
- In Caloocan, wide roads lacked crossing facilities, putting children at risk.
- In Pateros, the sense of community was strong, but infrastructure support was lacking.
Instead of imposing uniform infrastructure, the ATSMP hopes to use this local data to shape tailored plans—helping LGUs identify their priority areas and secure appropriate support from national agencies.
Why This Audit is More Than Just Data Gathering
This activity is not just a checklist of broken sidewalks or absent bike lanes. It’s about validating lived experiences.
“ To shape our cities to support active mobility, walking should be dignified. We need pedestrian facilities that are efficient, safe, and convenient. Our streets must be designed to be human-centered and inclusive of all pedestrians, especially the most vulnerable: children, the elderly, women, and persons with disabilities.
“ Ako po, personally, nakatira talaga dito sa Pateros, wala po talaga kaming open spaces… Siguro kasi hindi din po aware yung ibang tao na right nila na magkaroon ng public space…
That is the heart of the ATSMP’s participatory approach—giving people the platform to shape policies with their insight, not just input.
The Output: Real Stories, Real Data, Real Action
The results of each Infra Audit are compiled into:
- Location maps with photos of problem areas
- Thematic reports on accessibility, safety, comfort, and policy recommendations
- Data submissions to DOTr, DPWH, MMDA, and LGUs
- Public storytelling content (videos, social media posts, written insights)
This information will guide future street designs, budget decisions, and transport priorities—not just at the national level, but also in barangay and city planning.
We are not just auditing for the sake of it. We’re auditing for action.
You Can Still Join—and We Want You To
This is just the beginning. More cities will host Infra Audits in the coming months. And even if you can’t attend in person, you can still share your insights through our online form.
This is your invitation.
If you care about walkable, livable, safer cities, this is your moment to help make it happen.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Just answer a few questions about your neighborhood or walking experience. You don’t need to be an expert—you just need to be someone who walks, bikes, or commutes. That’s enough.
The Road Ahead: Building a Culture of Listening, Walking, and Co-Creation
This audit marks a new chapter for Philippine cities. It shows that the national government, through ATSMP, is not just willing to listen—but to walk with us.
Because better streets begin not just with infrastructure, but with people who care enough to speak up, show up, and walk forward.
So… tara? Lakad na tayo. For safer streets. For better cities. For us.
Take the Next Step
Your voice can help shape the future of active transport in the Philippines. Whether you’re a commuter, cyclist, pedestrian, or advocate, you are part of this journey.
👉 Connect with ATSMP today and be part of building people-first streets and communities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Participatory Infrastructure Audit?
It’s a community-led walk that examines city streets and mobility conditions to inform better transport planning under ATSMP.
Who can join?
Everyone! Youth, seniors, parents, persons with disabilities, professionals—everyone’s voice matters.
Do I need to be a technical expert?
Not at all. This audit values your real experience as a daily pedestrian or commuter.
How will my input be used?
Your insights will be included in city-specific reports submitted to national and local government agencies and may influence future street and policy design.
Can I participate online?
Yes! If you can’t join a walk physically, you can still contribute via our form: http://tinyurl.com/atsmpPAR
