Dads pass strict road safety ordinance for heavy vehicles

The Baguio City Council has officially passed Ordinance Numbered 58 (Series of 2026), a proactive measure designed to mitigate the risks associated with heavy vehicles navigating the city’s unique and hazardous topography.
Approved during a regular session on June 8, 2026, the ordinance mandates rigorous roadworthiness inspections at designated checkpoints and introduces a cost-reimbursement escort system for commercial vehicles exceeding 4,500 kilograms.
The measure currently awaits the final signature of Mayor Benjamin Magalong to be fully enacted.
The measure, authored by Councilor Jose Molintas, arrives as a proactive response to the city’s “unique topography,” where steep gradients and winding roads have historically led to property damage, injuries, and fatalities involving heavy commercial carriers.
The ordinance aims to institutionalize safety protocols to protect pedestrians and preserve the integrity of the city’s road networks.
Under the ordinance, designated checkpoints will be established at Aspiras-Palispis Highway and Kennon Road. Personnel from the City Engineering Office (CEO), Public Order and Safety Division (POSD), and the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) will conduct rigorous inspections on all vehicles with a gross weight exceeding 4,500 kilograms
A key feature of the ordinance is the provision of traffic enforcer escorts for drivers unfamiliar with hazardous zones, such as the “Breathe” section of Marcos Highway or the Kennon Road.
To fund this service, the city will implement a gasoline expense reimbursement system. Drivers will be required to pay P500.00 for the first 4 kilometers, plus P50.00 for every succeeding 2 kilometers. This is a regulatory fee for service-tied cost recovery, not a general tax or “road user’s tax,” ensuring the funds are used specifically for fuel and operational expenses. **Lardizabal, Sean Kimrhed P. (UC BA Comm Student/SP Intern)