Manila launches car-free Roxas Boulevard program

MANILA, Philippines — Despite the onslaught of Tropical Storm Aghon over Metro Manila, the Manila city government launched yesterday the first day of a program promoting fitness among its residents by closing a portion of Roxas Boulevard.

Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, Vice Mayor John Marvin Nieto and District 6 Councilor Salvador Philip Lacuna led the launch of the “Move Manila Car-Free Sundays sa Roxas Boulevard.”

Lacuna authored Ordinance 9047, which ordered the closure of a portion of Roxas Boulevard from Padre Burgos Avenue, near Rizal Park, to Quirino Avenue to all vehicles from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. The road closure would allow people to jog, run and ride bicycles, as well as hold zumba marathons, along one of Manila’s major thoroughfares.

Along with other city government officials and delegations from schools in the city, they danced to upbeat music through a zumba performance led by couple and celebrity coaches Jim and Toni Saret.

Later, the officials jogged along the road. Lacuna-Pangan and other officials and attendees were drenched as they wore only their fitness outfits, jackets, caps and dri-fit shirts.

The program – wherein an estimated 3,000 people joined – ended at around 7:40 a.m., according to the Manila Police District.

Roxas Boulevard will be closed to traffic for physical fitness activities every Sunday until June 30, according to the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau.