Number coding lifted
By Aileen P. Refuerzo
BAGUIO CITY
– A traffic plan has been mapped out for the expected influx of tourists in the
city for the Christmas and New Year break even as Mayor Mauricio Domogan this
week approved the suspension of the number coding scheme.
The mayor, in administrative order 172, mandated Baguio’s number coding
scheme is suspended from Dec. 21 to 31.
Domogan said while it is true that during long holidays the city
experiences worse traffic conditions, visitors should also be given the chance
to roam around tourist spots with their vehicles.
The suspension was anchored on city ordinance no. 1, section 6 as
amended by section 1 of ordinance no. 107, series of 2008 exempting private
motor vehicles and chartered public utilities of visitors, tourists and
vacationers.
This, as Domogan said the Traffic and Transportation Management
Committee set road contingency measures to address traffic problems experienced
last year.
The mayor said the Baguio City Police Office traffic division under
Supt. EvelioDegay coordinated with La Union and Pangasinan police for
collaboration in monitoring and regulating the flow of vehicles at Kennon Road,
Marcos Highway and other major entry points to the city.
The police offices agreed to closely coordinate with each other in
ensuring the smooth inflow and outflow of vehicles towards the access points to
the city by posting uniformed men and appropriate traffic signs in strategic
and chokepoints in areas leading to the city.
Groups will also be tapped to provide motorist assistance in cases of
mechanical trouble or road accidents to prevent further travel disruptions, the
mayor added.
Degay who presented the traffic plan before the city council earlier,
said they expect the “aggregation of vehicles and pedestrians to peak” from
Dec. 24-27 and from Dec. 30 to Jan. 3, 2016 causing moderate to heavy traffic and shortage of maneuver areas
and parking spaces.
Degay said police action will be anchored on the effective deployment of
policemen in traffic hotspots, intensified enforcement of traffic laws, posting
of additional traffic signs and implementation of traffic systems including
diversion or loop system and the control point concept.
They will designate one-way routes along the following:
*Romulo Drive (from Wright Park pool) through Mines View Park and
Gibraltar Road until the intersection at Gibraltar barangay hall.
*From Leonard Wood Road bridge until C.M. Recto Road junction (side of
Botanical Garden). Motorists from Pacdal circle shall pass through C.M. Recto
Road (Navy Base Road).
*Kisad Road will be a one way inbound route from BGH Rotunda towards the
central business district. Legarda Road will be a one way outbound route
towards Marcos Highway.
For the alternate routes, M. Roxas Road will serve as an alternate route
from Leonard Wood Road towards the central business district (CBD) or La
Trinidad and vice versa.
Travellers via Kennon Road may turn right towards Loakan Road going to
these places: Philippine Military Academy, Camp John Hay, Baguio Country Club,
The Mansion, Botanical Garden and Mines View Park.
Degay said they will also implement road clearing operations to remove
parked vehicles and other blockages and will adopt a tourist-oriented policing
strategy.
The pay-parking areas are the Ganza, Burnham Park, Old City library,
Baguio Convention Center, SM, Ang Dating Daan, Center Mall, Cooyeesan, Marbay,
University of Baguio, Abanao Square and the Baguio Cathedral and at the
Bonifacio, Mabini, Quezon elementary schools and at the Baguio City National
High School.
Roadside parking will be allowed along Naguilian Road near station 1,
Shagem St. Abanao St. (9a.m.-4p.m.), Session Road (9a.m.-4p.m.), Harrison Road,
Harrison Road fronting University of the Cordilleras, Lake Drive, Gov. Pack
Road (BCNHS roadside) while contingency one-side parking will be allowed
along Kennon Road, Legarda Road, Botanical Garden roadside, P. Romulo Drive and
Outlook Drive.
The truck ban will remain to be enforced from 7a.m. to 7 p.m. within the
CBD while the lifting of the number-coding scheme has been proposed from Dec.
21.
Degay said the city police will do their best to contain road situation
but the scheme does not guarantee traffic jams as they have no control over
volume of vehicles coming to the city.
“The exodus of tourists and vacationists into the city may cause heavy
traffic. It is best to leave your vehicles in the safety of your accommodation
then commute or walk and enjoy,” the police said. – With a report from Jho
Arranz
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