Popularly known as the “Summer Capital of the Philippines,” Baguio is a first class city in the province of Benguet. Due to the abundance of pine trees in the area, it is also called the “City of Pines,” attracting a huge number of tourists all year round.
With a population of 400,000 as of 2024 and being the center of education and commerce in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Baguio is a highly urbanized city. Just as the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) manages traffic and other transport activities in Metro Manila, the Baguio City Police Office – Traffic Enforcement Unit (BCPO – TEU) plays a similar role in Baguio City.
What is BCPO – TEU?
As the name says, the Baguio City Police Office – Traffic Enforcement Unit (BCPO – TEU) is a part of the Baguio police force. Specifically, it is in charge of implementing and enforcing traffic laws and other transportation-related policies.
Programs and Services
Among the programs and services carried out by the BCPO – TEU is the number coding system, regular traffic updates, and the online Baguio Traffic Monitoring System.
Number Coding System
Based on Ordinance No. 001-2003 of the Number Coding Ordinance, this system is implemented in Baguio during weekdays only. Based on the last number on their license plates, motor vehicles are prohibited from entering or operating within the number coding zone between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm on a given weekday, as follows:
- Monday — numbers 1 and 2
- Tuesday — numbers 3 and 4
- Wednesday — numbers 5 and 6
- Thursday — numbers 7 and 8
- Friday — numbers 9 and 0
The coding system does not apply during weekends (Saturdays and Sundays). Holidays are not exempted, and tourists are not exempted from the ordinance. On the other hand, the system may be suspended through an Executive Order only during a calamity, emergency, or city-sponsored activity.
Baguio Traffic Monitoring System
The Baguio Traffic Monitoring System is an online portal that contains information such as: location of public utility jeepney (PUJ) terminals, PUJ routes, parking area locations, and basic traffic rules. The website also features announcements on road closures, along with alternate routes that may be taken.
Regular Traffic Updates
Through its official Facebook page, the BCPO – TEU provides regular updates on the overall traffic situation in the city. For example, the post below presents the traffic situation as of 12 noon on Monday, August 26, 2024. Areas with light traffic are highlighted in green. Meanwhile, those with moderate and heavy traffic are highlighted in orange and red colors, respectively.
With this information, motorists can plan their schedules accordingly, or choose alternate routes to avoid heavy traffic.
Transport-Related Ordinances
Just like in other parts of the country, motorists in Baguio City follow traffic laws such as Republic Act 8750 (Seatbelts Use Act), R.A. 10054 (Motorcycle Helmet Act), R.A. 10931 (Anti-Distracted Driving Act), and R.A. 10586 (Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act).
In addition, Baguio also implements the following transport-related City Ordinances:
Anti-Colorum Ordinance
City Ordinance No. 55, Series of 2017, is also known as the Anti-Colorum Ordinance. Since last December 2023, the BCPO has been tasked to launch an aggressive campaign against colorum public utility vehicles (PUVs).
According to a Facebook post by the Baguio City Public Information Office, City Mayor Benjamin Magalong warned the public against riding in colorum vehicles, citing four reasons why these illegal transport vehicles should not be patronized: “their safety is questionable; colorum trips are ‘crime magnets;’ commuters are at risk of inconvenience; and colorum vehicles are not insured.”
Anti-Distracted Walking Ordinance
City Ordinance No. 49, Series of 2018, is called the “Anti-Distracted Walking Ordinance.” It prohibits the use of mobilde devices and other distractive devices and items while walking and crossing the streets and sidewalks of Baguio City.
Anti-Obstruction and Illegal Parking
City Ordinance No. 7-84, Article XVI, is known as the “Anti-Obstruction and Illegal Parking” ordinance. It reminds all vehicle ownders to park at designated parking areas only, in order to avoid impeding traffic flow. This ordinance goes in line with the OPLAN A.R.O. (Anti-Road Obstruction) program of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
King of the Road Ordinance
City Ordinance No. 7, Series of 2010, is called “King of the Road” ordinance. Basically, it requires all motorists to slow down before a pedestrian lane, going to a full stop for five seconds before crossing it so that pedestrians can walk safely over the lane.
Latest Updates
Meanwhile, here are some transport-related news and updates, based on the Baguio City Public Information Office’s Facebook page.
Human Error Main Cause of Road Accidents
According to the Baguio City Police Office’s records, 96 percent of road crashes and accidents that occurred between January and June 2024 were caused by human error.
There were a total of 401 road crashes and road-related accidents during the period. Of these, majority or 384 were caused by human error, whereas 17 were due to mechanical defects.
New Electric Vehicle Tested
As of August 12, 2024, a new electric vehicle (EV) was undergoing a mobility test run in Baguio City. The EV is part of the city’s efforts to adopt low carbon transport solutions. It also goes in line with the country’s Low Carbon Urban Transport Systems (LCT) Project.
According to Cordillera Basic Sector Transport Cooperative (CBST) chairman Jude Wal, the EV, which can seat 25 people — passed the tests for the Trancoville and Aurora Hill routes. Eventually, it will undergo testing in more difficult routes. He also mentioned that the cooperative plans to procure 20 units of the EVs.
Senior Citizens Exempted from Coding
As part of a 90-day transport system experiment, senior citizens are exempted from number coding starting August 19, 2024.
The experiment will be carried out in two phases, as follows:
- Phase 1 (August 19 to October 18, 2024) — Private vehicles where the senior citizen is the driver will be allowed to pass through.
- Phase 2 (October 22 to November 22, 2024) — Motor vehicles, including private vehicles and taxi units, with senior citizen passengers (even if the driver is not a senior citizen), will be allowed to pass through).
Throughout the experimental period, senior citizen drivers and passengers are advised to carry identification as proof of their senior citizen status, Baguio City residency, and purpose of travel (e.g. medical purposes, working purposes).
Video: New Electric Vehicle Launched
As mentioned earlier, Baguio City is testing a new electric vehicle for possible public transport purposes. Here is a video featuring the launching of the Electric Bus, as shared by the Baguio PIO Channel:
Contact Information: Baguio City Police Office
If you have any questions for the BCPO – Traffic Enforcement Unit, you can get in touch with the Baguio City Police Office through the following contact details:
Address: Quirino Highway, Baguio, Benguet
Telephone: (074) 620 0585 / 0998 598 7739
Email: baguiocpcadu@yahoo.com
Website: https://new.baguio.gov.ph/home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BCPO.TEU
Google Map:
Final Thoughts
Baguio City is one of the most-visited destinations in the Philippines; it is extremely popular among local and international tourists alike. Of course, this means that traffic is a major concern, especially among major roads. Fortunately, the BCPO – Traffic Enforcement Unit is always ready to manage traffic and enforce the rules!
In other parts of the country, similar traffic management authorities are busy implementing the rules of the road. In Bacoor City, Cavite, for example, it’s the Bacoor Traffic Management Department (BTMD) that’s in charge of such matters.