Iloilo City wins first-ever Katipunan award; Quezon City named Most Bike-Friendly City of 2025

Cities, workplaces, establishments, schools, SMEs, and everyday cyclists also recognized

QUEZON CITY— This year marks the fourth year of the Mobility Awards, which recognizes outstanding champions of active mobility across the Philippines. Iloilo City was awarded the first-ever Katipunan Award, following three consecutive gold recognitions as a Bicycle-Friendly City.

“We are very, very proud to have been able to achieve the Katipunan Award,” said Arch. Wilfredo Sy, Jr., EnP, Architect II, and Iloilo City Bicycle Council Member. “Most of our success is thanks to our private-public partnerships;  because of this, we try to improve our bike culture across sectors …. We always want to share our experiences with other cities to help [inspire them],” he added.

This distinction reflects the city’s consistent leadership in developing comprehensive bike lane networks, upgrading pedestrian infrastructure, and sustaining programs that put people, not cars, at the heart of urban mobility. Quezon City was declared as this year’s Most Bike-Friendly City with a gold rating. Iloilo City placed second, while Marikina City followed in third place with a bronze rating.

The awards also introduced two new categories, the Special Citations for Bicycle-Friendly Schools and Pedestrian-Friendly Cities. Caraga State University-Main Campus in Butuan City and Luis Y. Ferrer Jr. Senior High School in Cavite, rated Silver and Bronze respectively, are among the first awardees of the Bicycle-Friendly Schools, which recognizes educational institutions that invest in safe bike parking and campus-accessible bike infrastructure.

“We believe that the university is not just a place of learning, but also a living model of the future as we aspire to build safer, greener, and more inclusive spaces. We aim to empower our students, faculty, and staff to make everyday choices not just for their personal well-being, but for our planet as well. This award affirms that our university is on the right path,” Caraga State University Pollution Control and Environmental Management Office Head Vincent Cotoron said.

Meanwhile, the Pedestrian-Friendly Cities Special Award spotlights cities making significant investments in walkable streets, safer pedestrian crossings, accessible sidewalks, and people-first urban designs. Quezon City received the inaugural award, rated as Silver under this category.

Quezon City Government Assistant City Administrator for Operations Alberto Kimpo, ENP said, “These dual wins, both for cycling and pedestrianization, show our city’s commitment to people-oriented mobility. We are at the forefront of changing lifestyles, changing behaviors, and hopefully addressing the biases [against] mobility in our nation.”

Maria Golda Hilario, Mobility Awards co-convenor and Director for Urban Development of the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), highlighted that, “As we continue to build more inclusive and people-centered communities, may the stories of our winners today remind us that each of us plays a part in shaping a future where everyone can move freely, safely, and with dignity.”

The Mobility Awards also honored delivery riders whose daily work and livelihood primarily uses bicycles, under the Siklista ng Bayan Award. Princess Jonna Burgos, a solo parent, bikes long hours to support her three young children. Daniel Carmona, a team leader, mentors new riders and promotes road safety. Ma. Consolacion Tanquintic cycled her way to putting her children through college and now inspires her community as a barangay kagawad.

Mobility Awards National Coordinator Arielle Celine Tabinga emphasized that, “For our winners who are here today, to our audiences, the private and the government sector, we at the Mobility Awards are challenging you to do more and to do better for our kapwa (fellow) Filipinos.”

The awarding ceremony was held on Tuesday, November 25, at The B Hotel in Quezon City.

The Mobility Awards is jointly organized by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, MNL Moves, 350 Pilipinas, The Climate Reality Project Philippines, and Pinay Bike Commuter Community, in partnership with 22 local active mobility organizations nationwide. For more information about this year’s Awards, visit https://www.mobilityawards.org/.