MANILA Mayor Honey Lacuna is promoting physical fitness to another level, ordering that both lanes of Roxas Boulevard be car-free every Sunday from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. starting May 26 to enable people to exercise there.
“We will make Roxas Boulevard partly car-free starting May 26, Sunday. I personally inspected Roxas Boulevard to make sure the road will be ready for the people who will exercise,” Lacuna said as she signed Ordinance No. 9047 banning cars from Luneta to Quirino Ave.
“We checked for any hazards and gave instructions to make sure the road, sidewalk, bay walk, and connecting roads are cleared of hazards and garbage,” Lacuna said, adding both lanes can be used by people to walk, jog, run and ride bikes.
She said the car-free Sundays would encourage people to shed off some of the excess weight they gained during the pandemic while appreciating the historical, cultural, and economic significance of Roxas Boulevard.
“People will experience a different perspective of Roxas Boulevard. They will have more time to appreciate its beauty and significance while walking, jogging, running, and biking, instead of the sights going by like a blur while riding any vehicle,” she added.
Lacuna said the city government is also coordinating with building owners, businesses, residents, and offices along Roxas Boulevard so they can participate and make the needed adjustments to their Sunday schedules this month and in June.
Last Sunday, the city government started the dry-run of the ordinance banning cars along portions of Roxas Boulevard.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said affected motorists can use Quirino Ave., Padre Burgos Ave., and Taft Ave.
Motorists can also take Maria Orosa St., Kalaw Ave., M. H. del Pilar St. and Bonifacio Drive.
