Safe? - nah not so much
Environment friendly? - you're joking right?
Cheap? - hell yeah!
And if you are up for it and it is part of your set up it is always a bit of an adventure.
Let me take you to the streets of Cebu and its public transport.
Behold - the Jeepney.
They are the most common mode of transportation on the main roads. They are sort of the bus system of the cities, always around and cheap. All you need to do is hop on. Nowadays the Jeepneys are mostly made up of Japan's multi cubs, imported as junk from Japan then cut up, painted, reinforced with steel blades for suspension and back on the street they go caring an average of 20 passengers.
But my heart beats for the real thing. Old left over US military jeeps from World War II .
Often held together by spit, paint and duck tape!
And of course for the short trips there is the Tricycle which you can hop on for about 8 peso or rent for a special trip that will assure you have the whole thing to yourself.