“Nainform ra ko through Facebook, at first, rumors pa man lang ‘to siya,” shares Daryl Pepito, a senior Environmental Science student, recalling how he knew about Carless and Wellness Wednesdays just days before its official implementation date.
When Visayas State University (VSU) rolled out the said policy in September, students like Daryl were caught off-guard. The implementation of the said policy, exposed a deeper flaw in its execution: behind VSU’s green initiatives lies a careless gap in communication and participation where the entire Viscan community was left out.
The Day We Hit the Brakes
Carless and Wellness Wednesdays isn’t entirely new. It traces its roots to a motorless initiative launched under former university president and ecologist Dr. Paciencia Po-Milan, whose environmental advocacy laid the groundwork for today’s revival. But as it returns, the question remains: is this policy merely a symbolic gesture, or will it lead to a substantial change on campus?
The Revival
The Carless and Wellness Wednesdays initiative, launched on September 3, 2025 under the Office of the Vice President for Administration and Finance (OVPAF) headed by Dr. Neil S. Seriño, designates every Wednesday as a car- and motor-free day, prohibiting vehicle entry from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
This initiative, implemented through Memorandum Circular No. 230, aims to promote sustainable mobility and holistic well-being within the Viscan community through two main components: VSU’s Action in Reducing Emission & Optimizing Health through Alternative Mobility (VAROAM), which designates a car- and motor-free day to encourage eco-friendly transport and reduce emissions; and VSU’s Action on Wellness on Work and Work on Wellness (VAWOWOW), which offers wellness activities such as Walk on Wednesday and Zumba sessions for students and employees to support physical and mental health.
Both operate under LINIS VSU, a new enforced campus-wide waste management rule, and the Go Green Project, serving as an initiative driven toward the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. These two are pillars of the university’s sustainability drive, but even as the policy looked solid on paper, cracks began to show in its execution.
In addition, the exemptions stipulated in the memorandum have also been subjected to scrutiny, as they appear to conflict with the practical realities of its implementation. This raises concerns regarding the policy’s capacity to realize its intended purpose, given the numerous factors that must be taken into account.
The revival quickly revealed tensions, confusion, and exclusion among the campus community. These gaps exposed carelessness in the policy’s rollout, highlighting that good intentions alone were not enough for effective implementation.
Stakeholders to Bystanders
The policy’s rollout exposed a clear exclusion: students—the heart of the campus—were left out of the decision that reshaped their Wednesdays. Though represented through the Student Regent, they were consulted only after administrators had finalized the proposal—given the power to approve, but never the chance to be heard.
In an interview with Amaranth, Daryl Pepito shared that he only learned about the policy through social media.
“Nainform ra ko through Facebook. At first, rumors pa man lang ‘to siya,” he said, explaining that his awareness of the policy started from rumors until it was officially posted on the university’s page.
He further explained that the conversation only gained traction when a concerned citizen, Mr. Jed Asaph Cortes, posted about the policy online, drawing attention from the public and experts alike.
Gaining awareness through rumors and casual discourse of such a major policy highlights a gap in the university’s communication system. It suggests that official channels were not effectively used to keep the Viscans properly informed.
In a following interview with Amaranth, Dr. Seriño admitted that the gap between the orientation and implementation schedules was too short, leaving Viscans little time to adjust. This abrupt rollout and lack of proper communication sidelined the majority—not only in decision-making but also in adapting to the changes it brought.
Between the Lines of the Memo
As the policy took effect, several concerns surfaced—particularly on the exemptions stated in the memorandum. Further, in an interview with Amaranth, Dr. Seriño addressed points on electric vehicles, special events, and parking spaces, clarifying adjustments and provisions that followed.
Under Memorandum Circular 230, the administration emphasized that the initiative promotes active mobility—encouraging walking and biking instead of simply reducing emissions. While electric or solar-powered vehicles remain unexempted, the focus lies on reshaping transportation habits rather than rewarding vehicle type.
For special events and visitors, exemptions are granted through University Trip Tickets or gatepasses. Official vehicles on business trips and individuals with special needs—such as PWDs and pregnant women—are accommodated, ensuring inclusivity without compromising the policy’s purpose.
Regarding parking space, designated areas for cars are located near the main gate, ATM, Pasalubong Center, and market, while motorcycles occupy Mabolo Drive. To address congestion, the university identified backup zones such as the Eco Park (Plan B) and Upper Gymnasium (Plan C). During large-scale events like intramurals or graduation, on-campus parking is temporarily permitted for safety and accessibility.
Implementation-wise, the policy’s active hours were shortened from 7:00 AM–6:00 PM to 7:00 AM–5:00 PM. Early-entry vehicles may exit anytime but cannot re-enter once they leave campus.
Lastly, for vendor mobility, the administration introduced a gatepass system to allow vendors limited access for restocking. This aims to balance livelihood needs with the policy’s wellness and sustainability goals.
Amendments to the VAROAM Policy
As the policy gained discussions regarding issues surrounding VAROAM, the university appended amendments through Memorandum Circular No. 263, issued last September 30. This included new provisions such as gate pass issuance limited to special or logistical cases, handled by the OVPAF, as well as a temporary suspension of the policy’s implementation during inclement weather conditions. However, aspects previously indicated in the policy—such as coverage, parking, university vehicle exemptions, and sanctions—remain unchanged.
Meanwhile, as Carless Wednesday retained its implementation schedule, the hours of implementation were shortened from 7:00 AM–6:00 PM to 7:00 AM–5:00 PM. Exemptions still applied to those in special need of assistance, especially pregnant women, senior citizens, and PWDs.
Although these matters have already been clarified and amended, this does not erase the fact that many members of the VSU community were unaware of the policy before it was rolled out, leading to confusion and last-minute adjustments.
The Adjustment in the Inconvenience
For many students, the Carless and Wellness Wednesday policy walks a fine line between sustainability and struggle. Whilst it was envisioned as a goal for a greener and healthier university, the reality reveals a weekly test of patience and practicality.
According to Kinna Guimbaolibot, a fifth-year Veterinary Medicine student, the policy doesn’t make it impossible for them to move around campus, but it has made their routines far more inconvenient. She shared that carrying medical tools and transporting animals on foot can be both exhausting and unsafe, particularly when emergencies arise. “At worst, it can endanger our patients,” she added, emphasizing how the rule could complicate urgent treatments and laboratory schedules.
Guimbaolibot also emphasized the effects of the policy on the wellness of students, expressing that she remains confident in maintaining her own well-being without external enforcement.
“I’m pretty confident about my own wellness, and I would prefer if my wellness is in my own hands and not enforced by an outside policy,” she stated.
Although the majority of the Viscan population already navigates the university on foot, the question still stands—how can this policy truly promote wellness if walking is already an integral part of students’ daily routine?
In an interview with Amaranth, several students shared the same sentiments, expressing that their concerns are not against the goal of the policy’s implementation, but rather the way it is carried out.
Pepito stressed his sentiment that walking every Wednesday was challenging, especially for those with long walks and heavy loads. He further suggested that mobility support like bike rentals or shaded walkways should also be provided to make the traverse more practical.
“Temporary siya na challenge…over time, maka-adjust ra gihapon ang students,” he said.
From the perspective of the faculty and other university stakeholders, the same concerns echo. Mr. Ulderico Alviola, a concerned faculty member, raised that the policy’s execution lacked proper consultation and preparation.
“This policy was hastily implemented, not backed by science, and unnecessarily inconveniences the campus. Repeated adjustments and lifts show its lack of planning.”
He also pointed out that small utility workers and messengers are disproportionately affected, forced to complete essential duties under restrictive rules, proving that convenience matters as much as sustainability.
Similarly, Mr. Jed Cortes urged the administration to revisit and refine the policy, emphasizing that good intentions must be paired with consultation and practicality.
“For policies to work, they must be sensitive to realities on the ground,” he said, calling for participatory planning and gradual adaption.
He also noted that promoting walking should be supported by comfortable spaces, such as shaded areas and accessible seating—making sustainability inclusive rather than imposed.
Despite this, many still complied with the policy’s purpose. While it may have slowed their pace, it also sparked conversations about balance and inclusivity. For many students, true sustainability goes beyond the act of walking—it lies in creating progress that listens, understands, and adapts to the needs of those living it.
A Seat Left Empty
Recognizing that students weren’t involved in drafting the policy, they can still influence future revisions through the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services (OVPSAS) and most importantly, alongside the Student Regent, who can bring their concerns to administrators.
In the various policies implemented by the University, it is essential to consider all voices, especially the student body. Therefore, for a proper representation, the Student Regent is expected to carry out this job. However, with the recent bypass and exclusion of representation from the students’ collective voices rooted in the VAROAM policy, students were left to wonder if the expected representative truly encompass every student’s scope and concern.
As various points of discussion arise within the campus, It is important to remember that the student body representative should be the frontline in listening, assisting, and addressing the diverse needs of their fellows, whether academic or personal matters.
Because at the heart of every policy lies not just a rule, but a relationship between those who govern and those who live by it.
Inclusive leadership must stand as the cornerstone of every student-leader’s principle. Upholding this value means ensuring that representation is not limited to a single seat at the table.
A seat left empty reflects more than just an absence—it mirrors neglect and incompetence, plain and loud.
Hitting the Brakes, Moving Forward
The Carless and Wellness Wednesday policy was meant to move VSU toward a cleaner, healthier future. But somewhere between the drafting table and the campus walkways, the conversation missed the very people walking it. The entirety of the Viscan community, from staffs, utilities, and students — the largest and most affected sector — were consulted only after the policy was set in motion.
This silence in the process calls for reflection — and reform. If sustainability is truly the goal, then inclusion must be its first step. Policies that shape the daily life of the Viscan community deserve to be built with, not just students, but the whole community as well.
If a simple policy falters under their hands, what faith remains for the bigger ones ahead?
As VSU drivesits wheels toward its “global green university” vision, perhaps a short step on the brakes is needed, not to stop its wanders, but to steer better. Because progress isn’t measured by how strict a policy runs, but by how many voices helps it move forward.
In the end, Carless and Wellness Wednesday isn’t just about keeping cars off the road—it’s about keeping people in the conversation. Because a policy that moves Viscans forward should never silence the steps that make it possible.