AN ENVIRONMENTALIST group here is pushing for the passage of an ordinance to free certain streets in the city of cars on Saturdays or Sundays.
Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) made the pronouncement to reporters on Monday, July 8 along with the release of the results of Citizens Walkability Study.
EnP. Lemuel Manalo, IDIS program coordinator, said the proposal will be known as the “Car-Free Day” ordinance.
The proposed measure involves the temporary closure of main avenues on the weekend to encourage recreational avenues including but not limited to jogging, walking, cycling, and pet walking.
“It is not yet existing in Davao City but there are different cities that have been managing it already,” Manalo said, citing Antipolo City and Makati Ayala Avenue as an example.
Jakarta in Indonesia, Manalo added, is known for its longest car-free avenue on Sunday morning.
Apart from the recreational activities, it is seen to boost the city’s economy, particularly the micro, small and medium enterprises as it may serve as a commercial avenue.
Barangay local government units will be encouraged to have their own car-free avenues from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on a Sunday for everyone to enjoy.
Vehicles restricted for entry include public and privately owned, however with consideration to residents in the area.
He said they will model the measure to that of the Session Road in Baguio City, which is temporarily closed from vehicular access on Sundays to promote pedestrianization, and other art activities such as busking performances, among others.
Manalo said they are yet to present it to the city council through Councilor Luna Acosta.
Before the pandemic, Manalo said the draft proposal had been through readings with former councilor Maria Belen Acosta, however was not pushed through as it must harmonize with the high-priority bus system.
“The route at that time was complex, but this time, we simplified the routes to make it easier to harmonize with the bus system,” Manalo said.
The draft ordinance is one of IDIS’ policy recommendations derived from the Citizens Walkability Study.
The study assessed prominent streets in the city and experiences, and comfort levels of streets from the citizens’ perspective.
