Marikina: 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.
According to Philippines News Agency, the challenge is designed to promote a healthier government and a more sustainable city by strengthening Marikina's biking culture and infrastructure. The initiative, which will run until December 2026, involves city hall offices and departments competing for the highest number of employees biking to work and the most days of participation. The department with the highest percentage of employees biking to work will receive awards and incentives at the end of the year.
Teodoro has instructed the Marikina Bikeways Office to ensure that all end-of-trip facilities for employees are fully functional, especially the facility at the Engineering Compound in Barangay Sto. Ni±o. This is to provide employees with a place to get dressed, rest, and prepare for work if they choose to bike to their workplace. Additionally, the mayor 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. This policy is in line with 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 this order, city offices will operate from 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. 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.
