The parking area of Baguio City High School (BCHS) will soon be opened to the public as a pay parking facility on weekends and holidays in a bid to ease congestion in the Central Business District (CBD) and address the persistent shortage of parking spaces in the city. Around 60 slots are designated for visitors excluding spaces for school employees.
On May 5, 2025, the Baguio City Council passed a resolution granting Mayor Benjamin Magalong, as the city’s representative, to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with BCHS, represented by its principal, Whitney Dawayen.
Previously, the City Mayor’s Office identified the open spaces of BCHS as possible relief areas for vehicle parking during peak days like weekends and holidays when congestion in the CBD worsens.
The BCHS administration agreed to the proposal but clarified that they are not authorized to conduct revenue-generating activities on their own, such as collecting parking fees, hence the need for a formal partnership with the city government.
Under the revenue sharing arrangement, 85% of the collected parking fees will be allocated to BCHS to provide the school with additional resources to support its operations. The remaining 15% will be remitted to the city government to contribute to the city’s ongoing efforts to manage traffic and improve urban mobility.
During the May 5 regular session of the city council, Dawayen answered questions raised by the city council members.
Regarding the conduct of make-up classes that require student attendance, Dawayen said the school may prohibit parking on those days to prioritize educational activities when necessary.
Dawayen also assured that a designated comfort room in the first building of the school would be made accessible for the public.
With regard to the installation of CCTV cameras in the parking area, the principal explained that part of the proceeds from the parking fees would be allocated for the procurement of such gadgets and for paving and improving the parking area itself. He said these upgrades would be included in either the MOA or a related project proposal.
It was also pointed out that the standard parking receipts will be used for the collection of parking fees in compliance with city ordinances.
Once the MOA is finalized, it will be submitted to the city council for confirmation prior to its implementation. **Jordan G. Habbiling
