A barangay in Pasig City has relaunched its car-free Sunday to provide the public with open space for recreational activities.

Barangay San Antonio (BSA) last Sunday implemented this anew with motor vehicles barred from plying the stretch of Emerald Avenue, located at the heart of Pasig City’s Central Business District.

BSA reimposed the car-free Sunday as the quarantine alert level of the National Capital Region (NCR) was downgraded to Alert Level 2.

Emerald Avenue will be off-limits to all types of motor vehicles from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

With this, the 500-meter stretch of Emerald Avenue, a major thoroughfare, was transformed into a recreational space where people are free to jog, bike, and do Zumba.

BSA chairman Raymond Lising said the clamor of the people wanting to do physical activities outdoors pushed them to relaunch the program following the easing of restrictions in Metro Manila.

Lising said their car-free Sunday is not just for health reasons but is also aimed at lessening pollution which he said is their small contribution to the recently concluded Glasgow Climate Pact for greater action to achieve climate plans.

He said the closure of the road will promote healthy living among residents by giving them space to exercise and other physical activities for their wellness amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It is also promoting a healthy lifestyle by having a decent place to do your outdoor activities and provide an open space for the public because parks in Pasig are limited,” he said. “We have deployed safety officers along Emerald Avenue. They are ensuring that all health protocols such as social distancing and wearing of face masks are being followed.”

The number of people in the area is also being strictly monitored by barangay officials. (PNA)