Recently, a portion of Pacita Avenue, the main thoroughfare to the Pacita Complex in San Pedro City, Laguna, was closed to all motor traffic due to the construction of an archway next to two major commercial arcades.
A few days ago, I was walking along the stretch of road where they closed it off (except for cars entering one of those major commercial arcades), and as if by a flash of inspiration, I suddenly imagined it as a place not for cars, but for pedestrians.
Consider this. I had always been uneasy crossing Pacita Avenue these past months, as it had been transformed from a sleepy road leading to a residential hub in my childhood to one of San Pedro City's main thoroughfares. Traffic jams are now the rule, rather than the exception. And the rush of vehicles has made it harder for people to cross even along pedestrian lanes.
Looking at that empty stretch of road, I suddenly imagined this scenario: that part of the road being used by joggers, cyclists and people who just want to spend a day in the shade of the trees along a mini-park (more like a green enclosure) running from 2nd to 3rd Streets.
The fact that there's also a large grassy area near the place, hardly ever used except for putting up billboards and election paraphernalia, made the idea of transforming it into a "car-less road" - even just on Sundays - all the more appealing.
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The idea isn't new, either: some LGUs in Metro Manila have particularly designated certain thoroughfares (such as Roxas Boulevard in Manila and Tomas Morato Avenue in Quezon City) as "car-free" during certain times on Sundays.
Instead of vehicles choking the streets during rush hour, these areas become filled with people who are allowed walking, jogging, running, biking, skateboarding or even roller skating.
The rationale behind the "Car-Free Sunday" policy is that such a program will not only reduce the number of vehicles on the road - thus reducing pollution and accidents - but also promote a sustainable and people-centered urban environment.
“We aim to encourage outdoor activities, support healthy lifestyles and advance our commitment to environmental sustainability,” was how Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte put it.
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Now let's go back to our local situation here in San Pedro City and you'll probably agree with me that such a policy is long overdue.
Not only does` our city lacks the parks and open spaces where people can play, relax and spend time with friends and family, there's an abject lack of spaces where pedestrians can move without fear of being run over.
Sure, there’s a large parking space behind the Centro Pacita where joggers and bikers usually spend their time, but they have to share even that space with cars, especially during the weekends.
If our local government is serious in promoting an active citizenry, it should start by providing them with adequate spaces. And in lieu of parks, why not convert our roads into such spaces, even if only on weekends?
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