DOH to LGUs: Implement ‘Car-free Sundays’ for public health

The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday urged more local government units (LGUs) to implement carless weekends and set up healthy markets to encourage Filipinos to switch to a healthier lifestyle.

“Ang gusto sana namin at least every Sunday may isang kalye sa isang local government unit na gagawing car-free para fresh ang air na hihinga natin, makapag-ehersiyo ang mga kababayan natin, at pangatlo, pwedeng mag-network at magkaibigan at kumain ng malusog na pagkain,” DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa said.

(What we would like is for every local government unit to have at least one car-free street every Sunday, so that we can breathe fresh air, our fellow citizens can exercise, and thirdly, people can network, make friends, and eat healthy food.) 

In his 4th State of the Nation Address last year, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. called on LGUs to have more open spaces and implement car-less Sundays so people can engage in physical activities, lead healthier lifestyles, and fight obesity.

Several LGUs in Metro Manila are already closing some streets on Sunday mornings to allow residents to do physical activities like running. 

In Makati City, for instance, the entire stretch of Ayala Avenue is closed for running and biking activities. 

Quezon City also implements a carless Sunday scheme along Tomas Morato Avenue, which offers a safe space for running, jogging, and other community activities.

Pasig City, which pioneered the carless streets on Emerald Avenue and Caruncho Avenue back in 2011, has already replicated the program in at least five other streets. — JMA, GMA Integrated News