Baguio City prepares for heavier Yuletide traffic
To reduce the number of vehicles within the city’s area of responsibility, the Transportation Management Division is preparing a ‘vacation lane’ scheme.
Daily TribuneTo reduce the number of vehicles within the city’s area of responsibility, the Transportation Management Division is preparing a ‘vacation lane’ scheme.
BAGUIO CITY — Traffic authorities here are rushing to implement mitigation measures in anticipation of heavier traffic due to the influx of holiday tourists and the holding of various events throughout December.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Baguio City Police Office and the Transportation Management Division are adjusting existing traffic management measures to prepare for future and heavier traffic congestion.
BCPO TEU chief P/Lt. Zacarias Dausen said they are coordinating with jeepney operators and drivers associations in Baguio and Benguet to find ways to ease traffic congestion.
He said they have rerouting schemes for intersections and traffic bottlenecks that will be implemented as needed.
To reduce the number of vehicles within the city's area of responsibility, the Transportation Management Division is preparing a "vacation lane" scheme.
Under the system, visitors to Mt. Pulag, Sagada, Atok, and other tourist destinations in Benguet and Mt. Province will be provided alternative routes to reach their destinations without passing through the city.
Meanwhile, the Baguio City Tourism Office said it has recorded around 80,000 tourist arrivals in just two days during the last week of November this year.
Tourism Officer Aloysius Mapalo said a similar trend is expected on all weekends of December, the month being a perennial tourist peak season in the city.
Heavy traffic was experienced in major attractions in the city, particularly the Botanical Garden, Camp John Hay, Baguio Country Club Christmas Village, Wright Park, Igorot Stone Kingdom and Mirador Eco-park.
The Baguio City Police Office noted a heavy influx of vehicles on said dates. For the entire duration, the traffic situation was intensively monitored for necessary adjustments.
As of October, the City Tourism Office has recorded 787,572 tourist arrivals for this year.