By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental’s Victorias City is now one of the few local government units in the country to implement “car-free day.” 

The city government declares June 26 as “Car-free Monday,” as part of the locality’s observance of Environment Week.

The Victorias City Environmental and Natural Resources Office, together with the Philippine National Police-Traffic Enforcement Management, implemented car-free zones on Jover, Montinola and Yap Aquiña streets in the city.

According to the city government, the purpose of the observance is to encourage residents to reduce their daily carbon emissions and to use pedestrian lanes and pathways as an alternative.

Designated drop-off and pick-up points were established on the streets, with special consideration given to persons with disabilities, senior citizens and pregnant women.

As part of the activities, Victorias will also hold a signing of the memorandum of agreement with Subay Marketing Inc. for the implementation of a residual plastic recycling system, and with the Victorias City Water District for the Bamboo Grove and Plantation Project in the city’s Barangay 11 or Gawahon village./DGB, WDJ