By Rowena T. Cruz A major city avenue is set to be closed to vehicles on designated Sundays following the approval of a permanent Car-Free S...
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| A major city avenue is set to be closed to vehicles on designated Sundays following the approval of a permanent Car-Free Sundays ordinance aimed at promoting pedestrian use, cycling, and community activities. (Lucena City PIO) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon - Lucena City approved an ordinance declaring Car-Free, or “Carefree,” Sundays on the first and third Sunday of each month, temporarily closing a major avenue to vehicles during set hours. The move makes the program permanent while providing clear rules for monitoring, traffic management, and regular review of its effects on mobility, public safety, and how public spaces are used.
The ordinance was approved during a regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Lucena, following committee discussions and revisions to the original proposal. Initially introduced as a pilot program, the measure was later revised after further discussion and assessment to make Car-Free Sundays a continuing city policy.
Under the ordinance, selected sections of the avenue will be closed to vehicles on designated Sundays to allow walking, cycling, and community activities. The program also aims to improve public health and protect the environment by reducing vehicle emissions during the closure periods.
To manage implementation, the ordinance creates a Carefree Sundays Management Council made up of representatives from relevant city offices and agencies. The body is responsible for handling traffic rerouting, ensuring public safety, regulating vendors, sharing information with the public, and coordinating among implementing units.
The Management Council is required to regularly assess how the program is working and submit reports and recommendations to the city mayor and the legislative body. These provisions were included to respond to concerns about traffic disruption, access for residents and businesses, and the long-term viability of the program.
During deliberations, members raised concerns about traffic flow, enforcement capacity, and the possible impact on nearby commercial areas, especially during busy hours. These issues were addressed in the final version of the ordinance through provisions on monitoring, reporting, and periodic review.
The adoption of the ordinance reflects a change in local urban planning priorities, with greater focus on streets designed for people and shared public spaces. At the same time, the measure keeps systems in place for review and adjustment based on actual conditions on the ground.
In the same session, several barangay annual budgets were approved after review by the City Budget Office, including multimillion-peso allocations. The measures were declared compliant with national rules on limits for personnel expenses, disaster risk reduction funds, programs for women and senior citizens, and procurement, following committee hearings and public consultations.
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