Baguio folks hit PMA’s ‘no decal no entry’ rule

City council wants changes 

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY – Residents here assailed the ‘no decal, no entry’ policy imposed by the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) within its military reservations in the city such as barangays Camp Allen, Upper Market Subdivision, and St. Joseph Village.
    Following this, the city council will push guidelines for a more lenient and flexible implementation of the areas as these are also inhabited by civilians. 
    The city council’s committee on laws, human rights, and justice chaired by Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda was tasked to craft the said guidelines which will address all concerns brought up during the council’s dialogue with the barangay officials of Camp Allen and representatives of PMA last Monday.
    The draft of the guidelines will be subject to the approval of all concerned parties.
    The ‘no decal, no entry’ policy is one of the security measures put into place to protect the military camps all over the country.
    The decals are issued only to active or retired members of the military and their authorized dependents, Armed Forces of the Philippines Civilian Human Resource Staff, Department of National Defense employees, and business tenants.
Concerned residents have been complaining to the city officials about the enforcement of the ‘no decal, no entry’ policy by PMA which impedes the smooth flow of vehicular traffic in their places.
    Tabanda questioned the imposition of the policy on residents in nearby areas who traverse the military reservation.
    She said there are titled properties that are not part of the military reservation, so residents therein must not be compelled to abide by the policy.
    “That road is the only passageway. Why are you restricting the movement and entry of private property owners who will only pass through the road?,” Tabanda told Lt./Col.  Maria Elena Esteban who represented PMA.
     Esteban informed the council members that the policy will not apply to the senior citizens, pregnant women, persons with disabilities, and vehicles of public utilities, and will not be applied in cases of emergencies as agreed upon during a dialogue between the City Mayor’s Office and the concerned parties. 
    Recounting her personal experience when she entered Camp Allen to attend a barangay activity, Tabanda said the exemptions are not being followed.
    Despite being informed that she was a senior citizen, personnel at the gate instructed her to get off her vehicle and walk all the way to the barangay hall.
    “If this could happen to me who is a city official, let alone to an ordinary resident,” she said,
    Agusto Abad, a kagawad at Camp Allen, narrated instances where the enforcement of the policy was “oppressive and unjust.”
    He showed a record book where all complaints of residents regarding this matter are recorded. 
    Abad also complained about the hostile conduct of uniformed personnel at the gate when dealing with residents.
    He accused them of being “disrespectful” and treating civilians as if they were in “combat.”
    Esteban said complaints of residents reaching offices of PMA are being acted upon.
    She told the council they will brief again personnel manning gates of all the military camps in the city.
    Councilor Levy Lloyd Orcales told Esteban Camp Allen is not only a military reservation but also a barangay with residents who are ordinary citizens.
    “While I understand the intent of such policies, bear in mind that you are dealing with civilians. Why do they receive such treatments?” Orcales said.
    Previously, the council passed a resolution calling for the creation of a grievance committee for the purpose of resolving disputes that may arise between the barangay constituents and PMA concerning the former’s property rights and interests.     Until now, the grievance committee has yet to be created.
    Tabanda said the council may take the initiative in conducting dialogues for the resolution of various issues between PMA and affected residents along with the crafting of the proposed guidelines.