Car-free days in the Philippines
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Car-free days in the Philippines refers to several government and private sector initiatives designating certain areas at specific days or times as car-free to promote gatherings, exercise, and other recreational activities.
The earliest known example of a car-free area in the country was the pedestrianization of Rizal Avenue from Recto Avenue to Carriedo Street in Santa Mesa in 2003 and the 217-meter (712 ft) Teresa Street in Santa Mesa in Manila.[1] Both initiatives however, were reversed due to change in administration and traffic complaints, with the Rizal Avenue segment reopening to vehicular traffic in 2007.[2]
On June 3, 2012, the Pasig city government launched a car-free day along F. Ortigas Jr. Road in Ortigas Center, closing the road to motor vehicle traffic on Sunday mornings.[3] The car-free day was suspended during the COVID-19 lockdowns from 2020 to 2021, where it was revived in November 2021 as Open Street Sundays.[4] Since 2021, Pasig has since designated more roads with car-free days, dubbing the program as People's Streets.[5]
In 2013, Filinvest City in Muntinlupa launched its Carless Sundays by closing one lane along Commerce Avenue, Corporate Avenue, Parkway Street, and Filinvest Avenue to traffic on Sunday mornings.[6] This was later on expanded to include Asean Drive, Spectrum Midway, and Promenade Street with a total route of 4.5 km (2.8 mi).[7]
In February 2021, the entire 5th Avenue in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig was made car-free every weekend.[8]
In September 2023, Ayala Land, the Makati Commercial Estates Association (MaCEA), and the Makati government launched Car Free Sundays at Ayala Avenue, closing most of Ayala Avenue as well as parts of Makati Avenue and Paseo de Roxas around the Ayala Triangle Gardens on Sunday mornings.[9]
In December 2023, car-free days were also initiated by the Greenfield Development Corporation in Greenfield District, with parts of Mayflower Street being closed to traffic on Sunday mornings.[10]
In June 2024, Ayala Land launched Car Free Sundays in both the Cebu Business Park and Cebu IT Park in Cebu City.[11] Initially planned to run only for the month of June, the initiative was extended in July and remains in effect until further notice.[12] The Bacolod city government also launched its own Car-Free Sundays that month, closing a 1.2 km (0.75 mi) section of Lacson Street for leisure activities.[13]
In November 2024, Villar City launched its own Car-Free Sundays, which closes a 3 km (1.9 mi) segment of Villar Avenue from Daang Hari to Amore Avenue (Vista Avenue) for walking, running, and cycling on Sunday mornings.[14] A 2.2 to 2.4 km (1.4 to 1.5 mi) mountain biking trail adjacent to the closed segment was also launched in February 2025.[15] Later that month, the Davao City Council passed an ordinance making the entire Davao City Coastal Road in Davao City as car-free on Sunday mornings. Cycling activities are allowed along the road's northbound lanes, while running, walking, and jogging are allowed along the road's the southbound lanes. Other leisure and fitness activities were then designated at the two parks along the Coastal Road.[16][17][18]
In December 2024, following public consultations conducted by Rappler and the Quezon City government in September 2024,[19] the Quezon City Council passed City Ordinance No. SP-3345 S-2024. The ordinance creates a Car-Free, Carefree Sundays initiative along Tomas Morato Avenue and closes the segment from Scout Rallos Street to Don A. Roces Avenue on the first Sunday of each month for activities such as Zumba, jogging, cycling, exercise, and social gatherings. In January 2025, the initiative was expanded to take place on every other Sunday.[20][21]
In March 2025, Marikina launched its Car-Free Sundays by closing a portion of Gil Fernando Avenue from Bayan-Bayanan Access Road to Guerilla Street and inaugurating a public mural that showcases notable landmarks and personalities, as well as the history and culture of Marikina.[22]
In August 2025, the Butuan City Council passed SP Ordinance No. 17-019-2025, which closes off sections of major roads in Butuan as car-free on Sunday from morning to evening. Dubbed "Ato Ra Kung Domingo" lit. 'The Sunday is ours', the initiative aims to promote the reclamation of streets as safe and inclusive dynamic public spaces for recreation and community bonding.[23][24][25]
In November 2025, Naga launched its nighttime Carless Sundays along Magsaysay Avenue with fitness activities, street art, and chalk zones.[26] Following the success of its first Carless Sunday, the city government announced that succeeding Sundays will have different events, performances, and activities beyond the car-free section of Magsaysay Avenue.[27]