ILOILO City – A portion of Sunset Boulevard could soon be closed to vehicles every Sunday under a proposed city ordinance that seeks to transform the popular waterfront corridor into a safer recreational space for pedestrians, runners, cyclists, and families amid growing public demand for more people-centered public areas.
Councilor Miguel Treñas said the proposed Sunset Boulevard Car-Free Sundays Ordinance was crafted following repeated requests from Ilonggos who want Iloilo City to adopt a car-free program similar to those implemented in major urban centers such as Makati’s Ayala Avenue and Bonifacio Global City.
The Sunset Boulevard, also known as the Iloilo River North Bank Road, is a scenic five-kilometer, four-lane highway connecting Barangay Tabucan in Mandurriao district to Barangay Cagbang in Oton, Iloilo. It doubles as a dual-purpose recreational linear park and is a popular destination for sunset viewing, cycling, and jogging.
The car-free proposal also comes in the wake of a recent vehicular incident involving a student driver along the boulevard, a route frequently used by runners and outdoor enthusiasts.
“Many runners have told us that they need a safer area where they can run. We also saw that there was an accident at Sunset Boulevard recently involving a student driver. That showed us that many of our runners are already using this route, so we felt there was a need to create a safer environment for them,” Treñas explained.
Under the proposal, a portion of Sunset Boulevard within Iloilo City’s jurisdiction would be temporarily closed to motor vehicles every Sunday, allowing residents to use the area for walking, jogging, cycling, recreation, and community activities.
“Over the past several months, many Ilonggos have been sending messages and suggestions to our office asking if we could implement a car-free Sunday program similar to what other progressive cities around the world are doing. We listened and carefully studied the idea,” Treñas said.
The councilor emphasized that the initiative is intended to benefit a broad segment of the population and not only fitness enthusiasts.
“This is not just for runners, cyclists, or fitness enthusiasts. It is for families looking for quality time together, children who need safe spaces to play, senior citizens who want to enjoy a morning walk, and Ilonggos who simply want to experience a cleaner, more people-centered city,” he said.
The ordinance seeks to promote active mobility, reduce carbon emissions, encourage healthier lifestyles, and strengthen community interaction by reclaiming public spaces for people rather than vehicles.
City officials are still evaluating the most suitable schedule for the weekly activity.
“Our initial plan is to hold it every Sunday. We are still evaluating whether it should be in the morning or afternoon. Usually, runners prefer early mornings, but we are also looking at afternoon schedules because that would allow us to set up stalls and other community activities, similar to what we have seen in some cities in Japan,” Treñas said.
He added that the city is studying additional features that could be incorporated into the program.
“People can jog, bike, walk, and participate in other activities. We are still studying what additional features can be introduced,” Treñas said.
Treñas clarified that the proposal does not call for a full closure of Sunset Boulevard. Instead, only one lane is being considered for temporary closure to minimize disruption to traffic flow.
“Indi siya full road closure. Ang isa lang ka lane ang aton ginaplano nga gamiton para sa car-free activities,” he said.
According to Treñas, the initiative forms part of Iloilo City’s broader goal of creating a healthier, more inclusive, and more livable urban environment while providing residents with greater opportunities for recreation, wellness, and community engagement./PN
