It would not make sense to close down the City’s main street, even for one day. That would make business and commerce suffer. Maybe the boulevard [can be closed down], or a re-routing of trucks onto the highway for that day only. — Andrew Scribner, manager, Edge Radio on the Internet
Great idea! — Dr. Doody Garcia-Carre, retired doctor
If they close it down on Sundays, where will the churchgoers park when they attend mass at the Cathedral? Besides, not too many people walk along Perdices on such days since most of the stores are closed anyway. It’s good for pedestrians, not so good for motorists. Dumaguete has a growing population. There are more vehicles now. Yet, the number of roads, mostly narrow, has barely increased. Closing down one route will mean more traffic in the other roads. Still, it’s worth a try. People adapt. But maybe it should be viewed as an experiment. Let it run for a few months, see what happens. If the net results are positive, then make it permanent. If the negative impacts are greater, then discontinue it. — Engr. Gilbert Arbon, provincial director, Department of Science & Technology
It’s an excellent proposal! I would love to walk along that promenade soon with family and friends. — Dessa Quesada-Palm, director, Youth Advocates through Theater Arts (YATTA)
Great idea! — Prof. Dale Law, mountain biker
This is a tourist-friendly move. Tourists visit Dumaguete to enjoy and relax, so let’s give space on Perdices St. — Bing Aguilar, former broadcaster
Not a bad idea. They can start with aerobics early morning up to mid-afternoon, and give provisions for dinner with live band. — Dr. Patrick Chua, orthodontist.
I heartily approve of it! It encourages walking as a form of healthy lifestyle. — Rachelle Nessia, Philippine Information Agency
We only have three major streets: Perdices, Real, and Rizal Blvd. Just imagine the vehicular chaos that would ensue if you closed one. This idea would have been good 30 years ago. Remember, it’s so crowded in the streets now. Adto na sa dagat ta mamangka ani. It’s wishful thinking, highly improbable and impractical. Maybe they can do that after 9pm because anytime earlier would affect the businesses along that road. Nobody should even toy with that idea anymore due to the excessive congestion in the City. We don’t even like it when roads are closed down to accommodate parades. Even for parades, only half should be closed because you cannot close down major thoroughfares. Maybe just a re-routing is in order but not to close down even on certain days. — Roy T. Cang, businessman
I am in favor of the Ordinance. It will help the environment and promote a healthy lifestyle among us. — Maricar Aranas, secretary, National Union of Journalists in the Philippines-Negros Oriental
Great idea! Why not everyday? This will make us like some of the attractive walking cities in Europe, Australia, US. It is consistent with Dumaguete’s character as a University Town and City of Gentle People, and will make it a unique tourist attraction. We can imagine Perdices St. as the largeslt open mall in the country. Our good Mayor and the City Councilos will just need to come up with a good traffic plan. — Roberto D. Montebon, president, Silliman University Medical Center
It’s a good idea because of its environmental and wellness impact that is, first, to declog Perdices St. of heavy traffic, and thus lessen air and noise pollution; second, the people will be compelled to walk — which is not bad — as walking is really a good form of exercise. — Iannie Opinion-Bulos, government employee
It actually sounds like a great idea. Why not close it down completely and turn it into a walking street instead? So then it will be open to al fresco stores and eating places. — Greg Morales, photojournalist
I think it’s not the best idea at this time. The City Council should take into consideration that we don’t have enough parking space around the downtown area. — Jyl Rae Moncada-Teves, executive secretary, Noreco II
I will vote for you if this can be done! — Dr. Eileen Marie Macias-Pinili
I think it’s impractical. It will just make other streets like San Juan, San Jose, V. Locsin, Legaspi, Gov. Lorenzo, Pinili, Sta. Rosa, and Lukewright congested for vehicles because for sure, those streets will now serve as the parking areas. Our streets are not wide enough. Well, why not try one Sunday and make an experimental study? — Dwight Sun, Education program supervisor, Department of Education-Dumaguete Division
It’s about time! — Atty. Cristine Cuisia-Remollo
I think it’s a wonderful idea to close the main street for pedestrians. If I’m not mistaken, this was proposed years ago! Why has this taken so long? — Shelley Palmore-Teves, manager, B3 Bldg.
I’m for a great change for Dumaguete. Perdices St. should have a facelift, like pots should have uniform palms, and not just any plant to “make do and comply” with the Order. Perdices St. should have the appropriate ambience and so this proposed Ordinance would be much appreciated. — Dr. Rico Absin, anaesthesiologist
There are not too many activities going on along Perdices St. on Sundays or holidays so it will not really matter if it’s closed down on those days. It may be best to just leave it open. — Prof. Roy Olsen de Leon, Biology teacher
I’m so for it. The Ordinance obviously has in mind protecting the environment and minimizing pollution even for just a few days each month. But it would also encourage people to walk; and walking is a good exercise. I’m sure many other cities and municipalities would follow suit. — Atty. Pristine Martinez-Raymond, Edlaw Law Office
Wonderful! I am glad that Mayor Chiquiting Sagarbarria is pursuing a key project of the Masterplan that was envisioned during my incumbency by a team of which he was part. I wish that eventually, the closure of Perdices St. be made permanent. — Atty. Felipe “Ipe” Remollo, Dumaguete Mayor 1998-2001; president/CEO, Clark Development Corp.
I don’t think it’s necessary. For one, it’s going to close to motorists the roads that traverse Perdices. Second, since most stores along Perdices are closed on Sundays anyway, there isn’t much to see while walking there, except concrete. A better idea would be to close Rizal Blvd. to afford a bigger area for families to enjoy the beauty of the boulevard. — Chedette Mascardo, homemaker
The closure of any major thoroughfare for whatever reason results in major traffic problems due to our inadequate road system. This is further aggravated by poor traffic discipline, and the lack of parking space. Unless a well-planned solution to these problems is available, I would not favor the idea. — Dr. Johnny Magbanua, cardiologist
It’s a welcome innovation to declog Perdices St. of traffic at least once a week. It could enhance our image as a family-friendly City, pollution- and traffic-free. If we can add a bike lane for a pollution-free City, then we will also be less-reliant on the high-priced gas. I think this idea was proposed years back. It’s time to adopt it. — Dr. Batchiba Lacdo-o, vice president for Academic Affairs, St. Paul University Dumaguete
Very good! It’s long overdue. That was our proposal during the time of former Mayor Ipe Remollo. God bless Mayor Chiquiting Sagarbarria and Vice Mayor Allan Cordova and the other City leaders. — Dr. Henry A. Sojor, president, Negros Oriental State University
I do not agree! Why close the main street of Dumaguete? We already have enough traffic problems in the City, and closing down the main street will worsen the problems. We already have the Rizal Blvd. for that purpose. — Rudy Diaz, businessman
Great idea! It will help instill the healthy lifestyle among Dumaguetenos, and to encourage families to go out and enjoy the outdoors. — Prof. Nadia Abesamis, Biology teacher
This is a very good Ordinance so the people can have a pleasurable experience of shopping leisurely in this area. Stores in this area then should be open during those days when Perdices St. is closed. The traffic management office should also devise a traffic scheme so there would be no congestion in the other streets. — Roy Calingacion, manager, Pambato Cargo Forwarders
I am for it! — Iris Tirambulo-Armogenia, avid runner
My answer will not have weight and substance as this will require a public hearing where the proponents for and against are given the chance to air their positives and negatives of legislation, considering we are a democracy. The issues here are traffic management, human congestion, environment. — Dodo Bustamante, businessman
The City must first solve the traffic problem by implementing strict compliance of all traffic rules, imposing violations to these rules, and completing all traffic signs and road markers before thinking of closing down Perdices St. — Bobby Duray, architect
Won’t it cause parking and traffic problems since traffic will be redirected? — Engr. Rona Valente-Vicuna, designer
Wonderful! I hope the plan pushes through. My sister Myrna and I have been dreaming of a time when this will be done here — to reclaim the joy of walking downtown, breathing cleaner air, and not being bothered by the noise of vehicles. Like the Dumaguete of our youth. It will show how an urban or semi-urban center can bring pleasure to the community, even if it’s once a week only. It will also demonstrate that our City leaders are sensitive to modern trends of progress. So do it soon! — Lorna Pena-Reyes Makil, sociologist
That would be great! Just like Plaza de Leal in Macau, except that it’s closed everyday there. It’s really a pedestrian promenade, closed to vehicular traffic. — Babbu Wenceslao, professor of Fine Arts, Foundation University
I don’t think it’s a good idea. In fact, it’s a silly idea because we have very narrow streets, and it will only congest the side streets. Besides, what is the attraction along Perdices St. that would make pedestrians walk by there unless you make it like Hollywood or Las Vegas? Why not think of a boardwalk along the boulevard since the boulevard itself itself is an attraction. — Dr. Daphne Ravello-Rana, obstetrician-gynecologist
The proposal is not “to make way for pedestrians” but to promote a healthier Dumaguete with reduced vehicular pollution, and with residents in better shape owing to the ‘exercise’ they will benefit from walking. It will also allow 90 percent of the population with no motorized vehicles an equitable share of the streets. When our officials built our roads, they did not give bicycles, pedestrians, seniors and persons with disabilities due consideration. Our sidewalks are ill-conceived, and used as parking spaces, and we have no bicycle lanes in our very wide streets. Making our roads vehicle-free on weekends and holidays is only fair. Roadways are not just for vehicles, they are for pedestrians, too. And to the business establishments, fret not. In the US, when streets are closed to vehicular traffic, stores in the area posted gains from 10 to 20 percent in sales. Restaurants posted more, when allowed to place tables in the street fronting their place of business. Turns out that when people walk, they tend to stop and shop more, or dine. When planned and implemented properly, it will be a win-win for all, it will make us friendlier, and Mother Earth will really smile on us favorably. — Leo G. Mamicpic, president, Friends of the Environment in Negros Oriental
It should be closed everyday. Perdices St. should be for walking only. The move will be healthy and environment-friendly. — Atty. Myrish Cadapan-Antonio, executive director, SU Jovito Salonga Center for Law & Development
The invariable principle of good governance is the “greatest good for the greatest number”. Will closing down Perdices St. promote the greatest good for the greatest number? I don’t think so. It is difficult to see how such a measure would work for the greater good for the general populace of Dumaguete since it may even inconvenience a lot of other motorists. — Judge Arlene Dato
The proposed Ordinance is laudable. It is something new and something to look forward to. It reflects the courage to traverse new grounds for development. It shows the dynamism of the proponents. Let’s go for it! — Atty. Bobby Mercado, governor, Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Negros Oriental
