AN important part of urban planning is the provision of green parks and open spaces, even small tree plantations such as the Arroceros area near the Pasig River where trees, both wild and native varieties, are cared for and allowed to grow. The place is called the “lungs” of Manila because it filters the carbon dioxide emitted by factories and vehicles and turns it into oxygen.
Previous mayors of the city–Alfredo Lim, Joseph Estrada and Isko Moreno–may be credited for their serious efforts at establishing new parks and making the city’s plazas attractive again, or refurbishing old ones to make them useful again to Manila residents, such as the Mehan Garden near City Hall. It was Mayor Erap who reconfigured the garden at the back of Metropolitan Theater and established air-conditioned comfort rooms for the comfort of visitors, aside from planting all sorts of flowering shrubs and trees. This effort was continued by Mayor Isko during his three-year term.
It may be said that it was Mayor Isko’s luck that it was during his term that the Intramuros-Binondo bridge was completed, and its nearby park, too, was opened to cater to the early-morning joggers and proponents of physical exercise and wellness. The facility was a donation from China and was opposed by many who thought it would damage churches inside the Walled City, particularly the San Agustin Church which is relatively far away from the bridge. Now, these opponents enjoy the ease of commuting and crossing the Pasig through the bridge connecting Binondo with Intramuros.
‘Manila’s thrust is to motivate people to exercise, promote the beauty of the Manila Bay area, and support the continuing order of the Supreme Court for a clean and healthy Manila Bay.’
People in Manila are just expecting Mayor Honey Lacuna Pangan to follow the example of the mayors before her. The recent fire catastrophe that gutted the old Manila Post Office building would have given Mayor Honey that opportunity to construct a new park in the area. What has come out of this idea?
Instead, Mayor Honey and the City Council thought of using Roxas Blvd. as a walking, jogging and biking street every Sunday morning.
This idea is an exact copy of what the Makati City local government and Ayala Corp. are doing in Ayala Avenue on Sunday mornings.
In Manila, the authorities will close Roxas Blvd. from Padre Burgos Circle to Quirino Ave. every Sunday morning and convert it into a walking street, just like in other Southeast Asian cities, and in Beijing.
The objective is to give time and space for city residents to do physical exercises like walking, jogging and biking, without the risk of being hit by passing vehicles.
This is a big game changer for the residents of Malate and Ermita who will be directly benefited by this ordinance. Remember that the residents of Binondo, Tondo, Intramuros and Sta. Cruz already uses the area near the Pasig River and the Intramuros-Binondo Bridge which was donated by the Chinese government for recreational, health and wellness purposes.
When Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan signed Ordinance No. 9047 designating a portion of Roxas Boulevard in Manila closed to motorists every Sunday, from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. starting May 26, the city is in effect implementing a policy that is both pro-environment and pro-health. The ordinance was pushed to have a very quick passage in the City Council, thanks to the efforts of Vice Mayor Yul Servo Nieto.
On Sunday mornings, Manilans and even those living outside the city limits but not very far away will be given the opportunity to roam freely and safely, walk, run, jog, bike and exercise. Many will be there to savor the fresh, clean air from Manila Bay, provided the bay is really clean.
“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-Pangan said.
This week, Mayor Honey inspected the area for any hazards and instructed concerned city hall departments to ensure the road, sidewalk, bay walk, and connecting roads were cleared of hazards and garbage during the implementation of the car-free day. This effort will need additional tasks for several offices in Manila City Hall.
Concerned departments and sections will have to notify the buildings, businesses, residents, and offices along Roxas Boulevard and in adjoining areas so they can participate and make the needed adjustments to their Sunday schedules. The Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) will also issue traffic advisories and guides on the location of water stations, parking areas, and first aid stations.
Manila’s thrust is to motivate people to exercise, promote the beauty of the Manila Bay area, and support the continuing order of the Supreme Court for a clean and healthy Manila Bay. It will also encourage the public to appreciate the historical, cultural, and economic significance of Roxas Boulevard.
Although copied from Makati, this move is a positive development that will improve the living environment in the country’s capital city.
