Grassroots transport alliance wins prize in New York City

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April 23, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Move as One Coalition has won the Ross Center Prize for Cities for taking collective action on the Philippines’ transport woes.

Over P15 million or $250,000 will be awarded to the pandemic-born transport alliance of 172 civil society groups.

Presented in New York City by the World Resources Institute (WRI), the award recognizes transformative projects that improve health, sustainability and equity in cities.

“What sets the Move as One Coalition apart is how communities and young people have come together to shape public policy and investment at an enormous scale,” WRI president and chief executive officer Ani Dasgupta said.

“This is an example from one of the most densely populated cities in the world. When people organize, they can shift resources toward safer, more inclusive mobility, improve health and deliver real change in their cities,” she added.

At last week’s House legislative energy action and development hearing, Move as One Coalition co-convenor Robert Siy said Metro Manila’s roads are ill prepared for alternative modes of travel, such as walking and cycling.

“Many Filipinos will not be able to afford public transport; their only option would be to walk or to use a bicycle,” Siy said amid the energy crisis.

To reduce dependency on fuel, Siy had recommended temporarily lifting the ban on electric bicycles and tricycles on major roads.

The Land Transportation Office, however, expanded the ban to include Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Marcos Highway and Sumulong Highway.

Reycel Hyacenth Bendaña, the coalition’s national coordinator, said the award affirmed the power of people coming together to shape the future of cities – a far cry from the top-down management often employed in these areas.

“The award belongs not only to our coalition, but to every commuter, worker and community member who has spoken up, organized and pushed for a safer, more humane and more inclusive transport system,” Bendaña, daughter of a jeepney driver, said.