Parts of Salcedo Village Will Go Car-Free Every Weekend in August

(SPOT.ph) A weekend in Salcedo Village usually involves moving from one stop to another—whether you’re grabbing coffee, running a few errands, or taking a walk around the park. Next week, pedestrians will have more room to do all that as selected roads in the neighborhood make more space for people on foot.

Starting August 1, a pilot program will close or limit regular vehicle traffic along parts of Salcedo Village, creating a continuous walking route between Ayala Triangle Gardens and Jaime Velasquez Park. This is called the “Weekend Shared Street,” a month-long pilot run that will happen on August 1 and 2, 8 and 9, 15 and 16, 22 and 23, and 29 and 30—basically, every weekend of August.

The traffic scheme begins at 12:01 a.m. every Saturday and remains in place until 11 p.m. on Sunday.

The idea is to give people more space to walk, run, bike, exercise, or spend a slower weekend around Salcedo Village. Just don’t expect the entire neighborhood to be completely car-free: some portions will be reserved for pedestrians, while others will continue to accommodate vehicles through some routes.

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The main pedestrian-only section will be the portion of Paseo de Roxas between Sedeño and Villar Streets. This stretch will be fully closed to regular vehicular traffic during the pilot hours.

On Sedeño and Villar Streets, one lane will remain open to vehicles. Leviste Street will be fully closed along the portion in front of Jaime Velasquez Park, while one lane will remain available on its other sections.

The wider traffic scheme also covers Gallardo, Velasquez, and Toledo Streets. Depending on the section, these will serve either as shared streets or part of the designated vehicle route. Motorists using the marked routes will be subject to a maximum speed of 20 kilometers per hour.

Of course, emergency services and other authorized vehicles will continue to have access where needed.

The road closures don’t mean Salcedo Village is shutting down for the weekend. Restaurants, cafes, shops, offices, and other businesses within the area will remain open throughout the pilot.

Ayala Land and Makati Central Estate Association, Inc. will monitor traffic, observe how people use the expanded pedestrian spaces, and collect feedback from residents, businesses, and visitors. The results will help determine whether the initiative should continue, change, or be expanded in the future.

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