Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez is seeking the approval of the Sangguniang Panlungsod for the closure of a section of Lacson Street in Bacolod City for “car-free Sundays” starting June 9, secretary to the mayor Karol Joseph Chiu said Friday, May 31.
The SP is expected to act on the request next week.
The designated car-free zone area shall be at Lacson Street starting at the corner of Cottage Road to Ramos Street.
Chiu said minor traffic rerouting will take place.
Benitez has issued Executive Order No. 035 Series of 2024 creating a “Car-Free Sunday” Program in Bacolod, which shall be observed from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. every Sunday of the month of June starting June 9.
He said the car-free Sundays are part of the city’s initiative to protect the environment by promoting good air quality, creating greater public awareness of the benefits of walking, jogging, running, and cycling as sustainable ways to travel and to encourage our constituents to move more and be active physically, and engage in age and health appropriate regular exercises, which also aligned with the Philippine National Guidelines on Physical Activity.
The Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) shall be the office authorized to implement the car-free zones and manage traffic around the restricted areas. The Bacolod City Police Office is enjoined to assist the BTAO in the implementation of the “Car-Free Sunday” program of the City, Benitez said.*