Intramuros has always been one of the nicest places to visit in Metro Manila, but it’s now extra beautiful after the Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority and the Intramuros Administration, inaugurated the new active- and public-transport infrastructure in the walled city.

Gone are the days when cars ruled this historic part of Manila. Now, pedestrians and cyclists are the priority. And if you haven’t been to the area in a while, then you might not recognize it anymore.

The project saw a raft of improvements done to the road network, including the construction of almost 10km of Class 1, 2, and 3 bike lanes, pedestrian walkway improvements with accessibility ramps, new open spaces, and the construction of four public transport stops.

It’s fair to say Intramuros now stands as a beacon of hope and a shining example of what the whole megalopolis could look like if (mostly local) authorities stopped relentlessly worshipping the private automobile.

Beautiful boulevards, protected bike lanes, and a much quieter and cleaner environment now welcome visitors and tourists. These changes give an experience that everyone behind it can be truly proud of.

Much of the credit has to go to the DOTr, which continues to push for a healthier mobility mix even while other government agencies insist on sticking to their old ways (or even seem to be moving backward).

During the official inauguration of the new Intramuros layout, DOTr Road Transport Non-Infrastructure assistant secretary Jose Lim IV supported the vision of his boss, Secretary Jaime Bautista, for a more sustainable and future-forward transportation for everyone.

“We are replicating this initiative in the countryside to help protect the environment from rising carbon-dioxide emissions of fossil-fueled vehicles,” said Lim. “Active transport is the best example of sustainable transport. Let us put all our shoulders behind this endeavor.”

Even President Bongbong Marcos swung by recently to check out the new scheme. If you want to see just how nice and healthy Manila could look like everywhere, then I highly recommend a visit to Intramuros now.