La Trinidad, Benguet is reminding the public to observe the monthly car-free Thursday at the municipal hall grounds.
It recently announced that it will strictly implement Executive Order 05-2018, which declared that every Thursday of the first week of the month shall be car-free within the town hall premises.
These shall apply to all privately owned vehicles and motorcycles intending to enter, park, or traverse through the premises of the municipal building.
Exempted from the order are government vehicles and private vehicles used by persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
The areas covered include the entrance and premises of the town hall, La Trinidad Municipal Police Station, and the gymnasium.
The trading post road is not covered by the policy.
During the designated car–free day, no private vehicle shall be allowed to pass or enter within the premises from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Also, private vehicles are not allowed to remain parked within the area during the designated day.
Municipal government employees or officials are not allowed to use their respective private motor vehicles or motorcycles during the whole Thursday. Instead, they are directed to walk, use public transport, or use alternative non-motorized transport.
The barangays were also encouraged to adopt every Thursday of the first week of each month as a car–free day in their jurisdiction and over their employees and officials to coincide with the observance of the car–free day by the municipal government
The declaration of a carless day, which started in 2018, is in support of the reduction of emissions coming from motor vehicles and as a part of creating public awareness on environmental protection and a healthy lifestyle. – Ofelia C. Empian
