BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan ordered the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) and the City Engineering Office to conduct a quick review of the city’s overall traffic plan that will be implemented during the Yuletide season and other upcoming big events next year to lessen the inconvenience of motorists as a result of the monstrous traffic jams around the city, like what was experienced during the influx of visitors following the declaration of a 3-day holiday in Metro Manila and Central Luzon last week to pave the way for the conduct of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Golden Jubilee celebration.
The local chief executive informed police officers and local officials that he was in receipt of initial reports from owners of hotels around the city that their establishments are already fully booked starting late November up until next year. There will be the possible occurrences of monstrous traffic jams around the city because of the expected influx of foreign and domestic visitors wanting to enjoy the city’s cool and romantic weather for a well-deserved break.
“We were really caught by surprise by the sudden influx of motorists from the lowlands last Monday which resulted to heavy traffic congestions all over the city. We were informed that there were more or less 40,000 motor vehicles that flocked to the city during the 3-day holiday that is why we encountered serious problems that time. We want to minimize the said problem by making the necessary adjustments which our police officers should do for us to enjoy the Yuletide break,” Domogan stressed.
He issued the instructions to the police to closely coordinate with the school administrators of educational institutions with wide school grounds to use them as temporary pay parking areas so visitors will be forced to leave their vehicles and use the city’s public transport or walk to their desired destinations.
Further, he directed the City Engineering Office to prepare the appropriate signages that will be installed in convergence and diversion areas to guide motorists on the appropriate directions toward their programmed destinations for them to enjoy their vacation.
Domogan also appealed to hotel owners to post necessary signages in their establishments informing the visitors to leave their vehicles in the parking spaces and for them to take the necessary public transport or at least walk for them to enjoy the city’s cool and romantic weather.
Aside from the possible pay parking areas in the different schools around the city, the local government is also eyeing the property of the Government Service Insurance Corporation (GSIS) in Barangay Marcoville to serve as an alternative parking area upon the authority to be issued by the insurance corporation.
The mayor said that local vehicle owners must also cooperate with the overall traffic plans that will be implemented in the city during the conduct of the big events until the summer months to lessen the headache of law enforcers in instilling discipline among motorists plying the city’s routes.
By Dexter A. See
