Car-free days in the Philippines refers to several government and private sector initiatives designating certain areas at specific days or times as car-free to promote gatherings, exercise, and other recreational activities.
History
The earliest known example of a car-free area in the country was the pedestrianization of Rizal Avenue from Recto Avenue to Carriedo Street in Santa Cruz, Manila in 2003. The initiative however, was reversed due to traffic complaints. The segment was reopened to vehicular traffic in 2007.[1]
On June 3, 2012, the Pasig city government launched a car-free day along F. Ortigas Jr. Road in Ortigas Center, closing the road to motor vehicle traffic on Sunday mornings.[2] The car-free day was suspended during the COVID-19 lockdowns from 2020 to 2021, where it was revived in November 2021 as Open Street Sundays.[3] Since 2021, Pasig has since designated more roads with car-free days, dubbing the program as People's Streets.[4]
In February 2021, the entire 5th Avenue in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig was made car-free every weekend.[5]
In September 2023, Ayala Land, the Makati Commercial Estates Association (MaCEA), and the Makati government launched Car Free Sundays at Ayala Avenue, closing most of Ayala Avenue as well as parts of Makati Avenue and Paseo de Roxas around the Ayala Triangle Gardens on Sunday mornings.[6]
In December 2023, car-free days were also initiated by the Greenfield Development Corporation in Greenfield District, with parts of Mayflower Street being closed to traffic on Sunday mornings.[7]
In May 2024, Manila City Ordinance No. 9047 was signed, launching Move Manila Car-Free Sundays By the Bay which designates a 2.3 km (1.4 mi) portion of Roxas Boulevard as car-free on Sunday mornings.[5] The city is also studying the possibility of expanding its car-free days to the Pasig River Esplanade and Binondo district.[8]
List
| Name | Year started | Schedule | Coverage | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car-Free, Care-Free Days | 2024 | Every first Sunday of the month, 6:00 am to 10:00 am |
|
Diliman, Quezon City |
| Car Free Sundays at Ayala Avenue | 2023 | Every Sunday, 6:00 am to 10:00 am |
|
Makati Central Business District, Makati |
| Car-Free Sundays at Mayflower Street | 2023 | Every Sunday, 6:00 am to 10:00 am |
|
Greenfield District, Mandaluyong |
| Move Manila Car-Free Sundays By the Bay | 2024 | Every Sunday, 6:00 am to 10:00 am | Ermita and Malate, Manila | |
| My Street High Street | 2021 | Every Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 am to 9:00 pm |
|
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig |
| Name | Year started | Schedule | Coverage | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brgy. San Antonio People's Street | 2021 | Every Saturday, 6:00 am to Sunday 9:00 pm |
|
Ortigas Center, Pasig |
| People's Street sa Bgy. Bagong Ilog | 2022 | Every Sunday, 6:00 am to 12:00 pm |
|
Bagong Ilog, Pasig |
| People's Street sa Brgy. Kapasigan | 2023 | Every Sunday, 6:00 am to 6:00 pm |
|
Kapasigan, Pasig |
| People's Street sa Bgy. Oranbo | 2022 | Every Sunday 6:00 am to 6:00 pm |
|
Oranbo, Pasig |
| People's Street sa Bgy. Manggahan | 2022 | Every Sunday, 6:00 am to 6:00 pm |
|
Manggahan, Pasig |
| People's Street sa Caruncho | 2022 | Every Saturday, 6:00 am to Sunday 9:00 pm |
|
San Nicolas (Pob.), Pasig |
| People's Street sa Bgy. Sto. Tomas | 2022 | Every Sunday, 6:00 am to 12:00 pm |
|
Sto. Tomas, Pasig |
| People's Street sa Bgy. Sumilang | 2022 | Every Sunday, 6:00 am to 6:00 pm |
|
Sumilang, Pasig |
See also
References
- ^ Lopez, Allison (July 17, 2007). "Lim reopens Rizal Avenue, forest park". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on September 14, 2007. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ Lapeña, Melay (June 3, 2012). "On 'Carless Sundays', Pasig City residents roam in wide open spaces". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ Tunac, Hermes Joy (August 26, 2024). "Iya Villania, Drew Arellano enjoy biking with kids in carless Ortigas". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ Lariosa, Saab (June 13, 2022). "More carless, public spaces: Pasig City adds four more 'People's Street' roads". PhilSTAR L!fe. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ a b Santos, Kara (July 29, 2024). "A guide to the car-free streets in Metro Manila during weekends". Top Gear Philippines. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ Adel, Rosette (September 10, 2023). "Ayala Avenue kicks off month-long 'car-free' Sunday mornings". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
- ^ "Advisory: A part of Greenfield District is car-free on Sunday mornings". Top Gear Philippines. December 14, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ Hufana, Chloe Mari (May 27, 2024). "Manila eyes wider car-free Sundays". BusinessWorld. Retrieved January 13, 2025.