BAGUIO City is expecting heavy traffic for the holidays due to tourist vehicles roaming around the Summer Capital.
“Marami ng aakyat na turista ngayon at expected na bibigat ang daloy ng trapiko,” Police Office-Traffic Management Unit Superintendent Evelio Degay told Sun.Star Baguio.
According to Degay irresponsible parking, slow transition on “stop, load, unload and go” vehicle movements, proliferation of business activities, road accidents and mechanical trouble causes moderate to heavy level of traffic.
Degay further added some tourists do not follow traffic rules.
“Hindi ko naman nilalahat ang mga turista, meron kasi yung mga hindi sumusunod sa mga batas trapiko, katunayan may mga naencounter na din po kami noon na mga traffic violations committed by tourists,” Dagay added.
To deal with the unexpected traffic, several road rerouting will be imposed in the city on the duration of the holidays.
“Inaasahan na namin na dadami ang mga turista sa mga petsa mula December 24 hanggang 27 at sa December 30 hanggang sa January 3, 2016 kaya tayo magkakaroon ng road rerouting.
Kisad Road will be a one way inbound route from BGH Rotunda towards the Central Business District while Legarda Road will be a one way outbound route towards Marcos highway (PS-5).
Leonard Wood Road Bridge until C.M. Recto Road junction (side of Botanical Garden) is a one way exit route and motorists from Pacdal circle can pass through C.M. Recto Road (Navy Base Road) as an exit route.
Another exit is Romulo Drive (from Wright Park pool) through Mines View Park and Gibraltar Road until the intersection at Gibraltar barangay hall.
For tourists who will visit the La Trinidad Strawberry Farm or the Central Business District, they can pass through Leonard Wood Road to M. Roxas Road as an alternate route.
Another alternate route for travelers via Kennon Rd who will visit PMA, Camp John Hay, Baguio Country Club, The Mansion, Botanical Garden and Mines View Park may turn right towards Loakan Road.
Degay also mentioned several parking areas along the road.
Motorists can park at Shagem Street, Abanao Street (Parking allowed 9am – 4pm), Session Road (Parking allowed 9am – 4pm), Harrison Road, Lake Drive, Harrison Road (fronting UC), Gov Pack (BCNHS Road side) and Naguilian Road (near Station 1).
Contingency parking areas will be Botanical Garden side, Romulo Drive, stretch of Outlook Drive, Legarda Road and Kisad Road (One Side Parking Only).
A truck ban within the central business district (CBD) will also be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the holidays.
“Yung truck ban po natin is from 7 a.m. po yan to 7 p.m., at yung number coding scheme ay hindi po natin sgurado kung mayroon pa rin kasi maari pong makansela ang number coding ngayong holidays,” Degay said.
Degay also appealed to the public and tourists to check BLOW BAGETS before going out.
“Kailangan po natin icheck ang BLOW BAGETS bago tayo mamasyal para makasiguro tayo sa ating seguridad,” Degay said.
“Hindi natin maiiwasan na magkaroon nga ng mga hindi inaasahang pagkasira ng sasakyan kaya ipinapayo natin na lagi dapat nating isaalang-alang ang BLOW BAGETS [Battery, Light, Oil, Water, Brakes, Air, Gas, Engine, Tires and your Self] but we assure the public na meron po tayong mga road stops na may mga on call na mekaniko para kapag nagkaproblema sila sa sasakyan maayos natin agad dahil isa rin ito sa nagpapabigat ng traffic,” Degay added.
“Mas makabubuti din po na sa mga residente ng Baguio na pagbigyan na lamang po muna natin ang mga turista total ay taga dito naman po tayo and we have access sa City, sa mga turista naman po sana ay displina lang, sumunod po sana tayo sa mga batas trapiko at kung maaari iwan na lang po natin sa safety ng mga hotels or sa tinutuluyan natin itong mga sasakyan natin,” Degay stated.
According to Degay it is also best to commute in visiting tourist spots in the city.
“Mas maeenjoy po natin ang pamamasyal sa Baguio kapag nagcocommute po tayo, kung malapit lang naman po ang ating pupuntahan mag lakad na lang po tayo kaysa gumamit ng sasakyan, nakatulong na nga po tayo sa pagbaba ng congestion sa trapiko, nakatipid po tayo sa gasolina, nakapag exercise pa po tayo at higit sa lahat nakatulong pa po tayo sa environment,” Degay closed. (Danica Guieb)