Manila to close a portion of Roxas Boulevard on Sundays to aid exercise
By Chloe Mari A. Hufana
THE MAYOR of Manila City on Monday signed an ordinance blocking cars along the Roxas Boulevard highway every Sunday morning to promote exercise among residents and reduce air pollution in the area.
Under the local law signed by Mayor Maria Sheilah “Honey” H. Lacuna-Pangan, a portion of the highway, both north and southbound, from Padre Burgos Avenue to Quirino Avenue will be closed to all vehicles from 5-9 a.m. on Sundays.
It aims to promote health and wellness and introduce a pollution-free fitness program in the capital through jogging, running and cycling.
“The concerned City Hall departments will all be hands on deck and will notify the buildings, businesses, residents and offices along Roxas Boulevard so they can participate and make the needed adjustments to their Sunday schedules in May and June,” Ms. Lacuna said in a statement on Monday.
The capital aims to advance tourism by promoting the natural beauty of Manila Bay, “its world-famous view and the enduring architectural design” of the highway and the bay, according to a copy of the ordinance.
Ira F. Cruz, a transport advocate and director of AltMobility PH, said the city should extend the hours for car-less Sundays.
He noted that Pasig City’s so-called “People’s Street” initiative imposes at least 12 hours of road closures, with Emerald Avenue in the village of San Antonio closed the longest from Saturday to Sunday.
“In Valenzuela, the local government reverted Fatima Avenue permanently for the people,” he said in a Viber message. “We hope this starts a trend among Philippine cities to start prioritizing the needs of people over motorists.”
Rene S. Santiago, a founding member of the Transportation Science Society of the Philippines, said the effect of the Roxas Boulevard closure on vehicle traffic would be minimal.
Light motor vehicles can be diverted to parallel service roads along the highway and other streets, while heavy motor vehicles will be rerouted to main roads, such as Taft Avenue.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) urged motorists to use Quirino Avenue, Maria Orosa Street, Kalaw Avenue, M.H. del Pilar Street and Bonifacio Drive to avoid the closed portion of Roxas Boulevard.
The ordinance was proposed by Manila Councilor Philip Salvador H. Lacuna, who said it is aligned with the Philippine National Guidelines on Physical Activity of 2010 issued by the Department of Health.
It is also in line with a Supreme Court ruling promoting environmental awareness about Manila Bay and to make it an integral part of a livable and walkable city.
