QC mulls proposal making Tomas Morato Avenue car-free on Sundays
The Quezon City local government is proposing to make Tomas Morato car-free on Sundays.
The LGU posted an announcement about its upcoming hybrid public consultation for barangays happening on Aug. 21 and Aug. 24
The proposed ordinance titled "Carless Day and Market Day" by Councilor Irene Belmonte aims to close the entire stretch of Tomas Morato, from E. Rodriguez to Scout Albano, to vehicular traffic every Sunday from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Penalties would be slapped on violators.
The consultation will be open to the public for comment and recommendations and will take place at the South Triangle Covered Court on Aug. 21, 4 p.m. and Barangay Obrero Old Barangay Hall on Aug. 24, 4 p.m.
Online reaction
Reception to the proposal has been mixed as some users worry that the making the Tomas Morato car-free would impact businesses in the area.
"This initiative would backfire. Tomas Morato isn't like Makati CBD that has pay parking areas. Businesses will around the area will suffer if these will push through," one user wrote in the comments of QC government's post.
"As a QC resident that's spent countless Sundays patronizing the restaurants in and around Tomas Morato, let me just say, if we weren't allowed to at least drop off our grandparents in front of the restaurant, then we would never have eaten there. And I'm sure there's countless other consumers who take the same issues into consideration," another added.
Meanwhile, others are excited about the street markets that will pop up on Sundays should the proposal push through.
"Good initiative. May datos naman mula sa ibat ibang lugar na nagpapakita na kapag naging car-free ang isang daan, tumataas ang quality of life ng mga tao sa lugar na yun, at lumalago mga negosyo dahil sa foot traffic na gawa ng pagiging car free," one said.
"We need more of this. Dati, may mga reklamo sa 'carless oval' sa UP Diliman every Sunday, pero nasanay din ang mga tao; the 'carless oval' project has been in place for several years now," added one user.
In 2023, Makati implemented car-free Sunday Mornings along Ayala Avenue from September to December.
Meanwhile, Manila mayor Honey Lacuna also signed Ordinance No. 9074 closing off parts of Roxas Boulevard to motorists starting May 26.