THE Manila City Local Government Units is bringing back its ‘car-free Sundays’ along Roxas Boulevard.
It will run every Sunday morning this month. According to the advisory from the Manila LGU, they will implement the ban on motor vehicles along the stretch of Padre Burgos to Quirino from 5 to 9 in the morning on Sundays.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna is set to sign Ordinance No. 9047, implementing the “Move Manila-Car Free Sundays” along the thoroughfare.
“Siyempre bilang isang doktora una nating priority ay ang kalusugan ng ating mga kapwa Manileños at siyempre mga kababayan nating Pilipino. So minabuti natin na ibalik ang kinaugalian dito sa Roxas Boulevard na weekly po isasarado ang north and southbound ng Roxas Boulevard para magamit ng ating kababayan para sa kanilang pag-e-ehersisyo,” Lacuna said.
Lacuna said that aside from the health benefits, it also seeks to lessen pollution in the area.
“‘Yung ating Move Manila program kasama po dito yung motor vehicle and pollution free na gusto sana natin matupad dito sa lungsod ng Maynila kahit how many hours lang lalong-lalo na dito sa Roxas Boulevard na alam naman natin isa sa main roads na dinadaanan,” Lacuna added.
She added that there will be alternate routes.
“‘Yung service road natin magagamit for light vehicles pati yung Mabini madadaanan din. Tapos yung mas malalaking sasakyan ay padadaanin natin sa Taft Avenue. Every Sunday 5 am to 9 am papayagan natin ang malalaking sasakyan sa Taft Avenue,” she explained.
Other cities in Metro Manila like Mandaluyong and Bonifacio Global City have implemented “car-free” schemes on select roads on weekends.
“Car-free” programs are also being implemented in global cities like New York, Paris and Vancouver.
