ILOILO City – This metropolis continues to strengthen its reputation as the Bike Capital of the Philippines and a national leader in sustainable mobility after securing top honors at multiple award ceremonies this year.
During the 2025 Mobility Awards held on November 25 in Quezon City, Iloilo City received the first-ever Katipunan Award, the highest distinction conferred by the organizers. This prestigious recognition is given to cities, workplaces, or establishments that demonstrate “truly transformational efforts” in promoting bicycle commuting as a mainstream mode of transport while advancing pedestrian-friendly environments.
Organizers emphasized that the Katipunan Award is the most challenging honor to attain. It can only be earned by achieving a perfect score of 4.0 in a given year or by securing three consecutive Gold Awards as a business, workplace, or local government unit.
Iloilo City reached this milestone, along with receiving its third Gold Award as a Bike-Friendly City and a Silver Award for being Pedestrian-Friendly.
Architect Wilfredo Sy, Jr., EnP, Iloilo Bike Festival director and member of the Iloilo City Bicycle Council, accepted the awards on behalf of Mayor Raisa Treñas and the Iloilo City Government.
In her message, Mayor Treñas expressed pride in how Iloilo City continues to build a more walkable, bike-friendly, and people-centered community that reflects its commitment to sustainability, health, and livability.
“Our cycling and pedestrian infrastructure stands out because we have made it a true priority in our development,” she said.
She highlighted the Iloilo River Esplanade, which now stretches 12 kilometers and remains one of the country’s largest and most scenic linear parks — designed for walking, jogging, and cycling.
She also cited the citywide bike lane network, which connects major roads, universities, parks, and commercial districts, making it easier and safer for Ilonggos to travel without relying on cars.
These are complemented by community-driven initiatives such as the Iloilo Bike Festival, Mobility Forum, Cycling Cities Conference, Bike-to-Work and Bike-to-School campaigns, and the city’s ongoing efforts as one of the Philippines’ most recognized bike-friendly cities.
“All of these initiatives are not just about transport. They are an important part of our goals under the Rise-To-Action framework — to build a more livable, resilient, and environmentally sustainable city. By making streets more walkable and bikeable, we help reduce traffic, cut emissions, improve air quality, and promote healthier lifestyles,” Mayor Treñas added.
GOLD AWARDEE AT NATIONAL BIKE DAY AWARDS
Adding to these victories, Iloilo City was once again named Gold Awardee at the National Bike Day Awards and Recognition 2025, organized by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). This marks the third year the city has received the Gold Award, following similar recognitions in 2021 and 2022.
The city was also honored as the Most Outstanding Active Transport Non-Infrastructure Initiative, a newly introduced category for 2025 — further underscoring Iloilo’s commitment to inclusive, people-centered mobility programs.
With these achievements, the Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG) — of which Mayor Treñas is a member with observer status — also extended its warm congratulations and expressed pride in the accomplishments of Mayor Treñas, along with Mayor Joy Belmonte of Quezon City, Mayor Vico Sotto of Pasig City, and Mayor Leni Robredo of Naga City, who likewise received recognitions during the National Bike Day Awards.
“Lubos na ipinagmamalaki kayo ng M4GG! Kaisa niyo kami sa pagtataguyod ng mga programa para sa ligtas, inklusibo, at sustainable na transportasyon sa ating bansa,” M4GG said in its official Facebook post.
These achievements add to Iloilo City’s impressive list of recognitions, including the 2022 Galing Pook Award for its pioneering I-Bike Program: Promoting the Development of the Iloilo City Bike Culture.
Just this September, Iloilo City gained recognition on the international stage as the Most Promising City for Public Transport and Bicycle-Friendly City during the Southeast Asia Mobility Awards Ceremony, organized by the Clean Mobility Collective SEA in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
These back-to-back national and regional honors reaffirm Iloilo City’s steadfast commitment to building a safer, greener, and more inclusive mobility system that places people, sustainability, and community well-being at the center of urban development./PN
