Personnel manning checkpoints along Baguio City’s borders remain vigilant against unauthorized travels.
Baguio City Police Office Director Allen Rae Co made the reiteration in the face of complaints reaching his office alleging tourists are crossing provincial boundaries into the city.
Co said the BCPO Tourist Police and mobile police units investigated social media reports about tourists crowding Session Road, Camp John Hay, and other city parks, but these individuals were actually residents of Baguio going out of their homes on their market days.
Others came from La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, Tublay and other areas but were on official business, Co said.
He assured the public that BCPO only allows entry of those with official business, essential travels and, returning Baguio residents and workers.
He said Executive Order 95, s. 2020 issued by Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong disallowing leisure travel and tours and loitering outside of homes is still in effect.
Meanwhile, an online registration system, hdf.baguio.gov.ph, has been activated to ensure all individuals crossing city limits have travel authorities.
Since May 18, the BCPO processed 38,569 travel permits for locally stranded individuals and those with indispensable travels. Over the same period, the city welcomed 41,264 returning Baguio residents who have undergone triage assessment.
An average of 377 individuals daily are vetted by the City Health Services Office at the central triage at St. Vincent gym and 160 individuals daily average assessed at the Teachers’ Camp.
“BCPO imposes compliance of the requirements when entering Baguio to anyone who wishes to come in the city as covered by a travel authority per directive from the Philippine National Police,” Co said.
“BCPO will not tolerate violations compromising the safety and health of the public, thus, any travel in the city that do not fall within considered essential travels will be dealt with accordingly,” he added. – Jessa Samidan
April 26, 2024
