Institutionalizing the Walk, Baguio, Walk program in Baguio would mean sustaining clean air and good health for city residents and tourists alike, a city official said. 

Vice mayor Daniel Fariñas proposed an ordinance which sought to make it a policy in the city to observe the program’s  “hike to and from work” component for all city government workers and the private sector every month. 

“The climate of Baguio City is best suited for walking compared to other places outside the Cordilleras,” Fariñas said, adding that the Walk, Baguio, Walk program has the full support of the public. 

The program was launched in Baguio last June 2 as city mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. issued administrative order 69, s. 2008, which created a multi-sectoral coordinating committee to establish a year-round hike to and from work activity. 

“During the launching of the program, participants found out that the program fits not only for health purposes and fuel conservation but it also improves the quality of air and decongests the flow of traffic in the central business district,” he said. 

In suggesting for the institutionalization of the program, Fariñas also proposed for the adoption of the project concept of the Baguio Regreening Movement in support of the program. 

To recall, close to 2,000 government employees plus dozens of citizens participated during the launch of the Walk, Baguio, Walk program. 

The Department of Transportation and Communications then reported that of the average 36,000 cars that come in and out of the city daily, more than 22,000 private and mass transportation vehicles are registered in Baguio.