Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna inspected Roxas Boulevard and adjacent areas Sunday morning in preparation for the city’s “Move Manila Car-Free Sundays By The Bay” which starts on May 26.
“Our car-free Sundays will be different from others like it because our venue is Roxas Boulevard, the most beautiful and historic boulevard in the country. We inspected Roxas Boulevard to ensure the road will be safe for all,” the Mayor said.
Lacuna also said she will sign Ordinance No. 9047 institutionalizing the Move Manila program and designates the stretch of Roxas Boulevard from Padre Burgos Circle to Quirino Avenue as the car-free zone wherein Manileños and others may, from 5am to 9am, exercise by walking, jogging, running, roller skating and biking, among others.
During the onsite inspection, the mayor was joined by Councilor Philip Lacuna, author of Ordinance No. 9047, and officials of the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau, Manila City Health Office, other city hall departments, and the MMDA.
The mayor, a medical doctor, said the Move Manila program is designed to advance the city’s “goal of becoming a livable city where healthy lifestyles and environmental preservation are ingrained habits.”
Lacuna said the MTPB will issue traffic advisories about Move Manila and guides on the locations of water stations, parking areas, and first aid stations.
Councilor Philip Lacuna said his ordinance is meant to promote health and wellness and introduce a pollution-free fitness program in the city.
He assured that the re-routing of traffic flow on affected areas during the time of closure will be carefully planned and managed by the appropriate agencies to ensure the commuters of continued timely travel and efficient delivery of goods and services without delay.
Light motor vehicles may be diverted to the parallel service roads along Roxas Boulevard and other side streets, while heavy motor vehicles may be rerouted to nearby main thoroughfares such as Taft Avenue.
“Medical emergency first responders and hydration stations shall be deployed at strategic locations along Roxas Boulevard for the well-being of program participants and the general public gathered participating in the activities while necessary waste management measures shall be implemented before and after each event to ensure a waste-free and healthy environment for the conduct of the program activities,” Councilor Philip said.
