NAGA CITY— Magsaysay Avenue, normally a four-lane artery buzzing with traffic, transforms into a playground on Sunday nights.
Under this city’s “Magsaysay Carless Sundays” program, the avenue is filled, not with motor vehicles, but with strolling families, children busy drawing on the street, cruising skaters, and fitness buffs moving to the beat of Zumba music. Pop-up vendors line the sidewalks while small crowds watch performers under the glow of streetlights.
The program launched by Naga Mayor Leni Robredo on Nov. 16 and spearheaded by the City Events, Protocol and Public Information Office reimagines a key stretch of Magsaysay as a pedestrian-first zone every Sunday night. The city positions the initiative as both a public health measure and a civic experiment: creating safer outdoor spaces, promoting active transport, and “bringing families back to the streets.”
Car-free hours run from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on all Sundays throughout November.
The closed section at the commercial core of Magsaysay and surrounded by restaurants, malls, and residential buildings has been repurposed for a range of free-use activities such as Zumba sessions led by local instructors, bike and skate meetups, street mural projects, live music, and vendor stalls offering local food, crafts, and small products.
Noreen Sophia Alegre, 23, found her first Carless Sunday experience refreshing. She said what stood out most for her and her mother was the freedom to walk around without worrying about passing vehicles.
The open street made the whole area feel safer and more relaxed, Alegre added.
Jhay Estanislao, a badminton coach under the local government unit, said the initiative has helped boost local sports advocacy.
It has also given Estanislao a chance to introduce badminton to more people. “We began holding training sessions for both students and non-students at the Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum starting from the inaugural Carless Sunday on Nov. 16,” he said.
Small business owners reported positive effects, such as improved sales from the increased foot traffic.
Alexandra Fragata, who sells flower bouquets along Magsaysay, said that while the program is recreational in theme, strollers stopped by her stall to buy flowers for loved ones or for themselves.
Mayor Robredo posted her vision for the initiative on Facebook: “Families strolling; children playing, learning to skate and ride a bike, drawing on the streets using colored chalk; musicians singing and playing music; artists painting murals; pets joining the fun with
their owners; vendors plying their trade; friends spending time together along the stretch of Magsaysay Avenue.”
Naga officials said Carless Sundays addresses a longstanding need: With limited large public parks, residents need safe outdoor areas for exercise and family activities.
By aligning Carless Sundays with National Children’s Month, Bike Month, and Clean Air Month, Naga hopes to promote healthier habits and stronger community ties without the high cost of building new public spaces, the officials said.
The program’s rollout was not without challenges. Its initial launch was postponed due to a typhoon threat, with organizers prioritizing public safety. The relaunch planning involved careful coordination of traffic rerouting, vendor placements, and weather considerations.
Carless Sundays will continue until the end of November, with rotating themes and activities. Officials are inviting residents to participate and share feedback so the program can be refined or extended.
The possibility of the initiative becoming a regular Nagueño tradition will depend on the city’s ability to sustain public interest while balancing safety, logistics, and the daily demands of mobility for both people and commerce.
