March 10, 2026 – Traffic interventions are in the works to improve safety at the stretch along Suello Road, Asin Road barangay observed to be prone to accidents, the latest of which involved a cattle truck that killed two persons last March 6.
In a report to Mayor Benjamin Magalong, City Engineer Richard Lardizabal spelled out short-term and long-term measures hashed out by his office, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Cordillera and Baguio City District Engineering offices (BCDEO) and the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) following the mayor’s directive to immediately identify and implement coordinated road safety schemes to prevent more mishaps.
Lardizabal said he had already conferred with Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Regional Director Director Editha Babaran of DPWH-CAR, Engr. Marion Joy Sta. Maria of the BCDEO and City Director P Col Ruel Tagel of BCPO and they agreed to adopt the solutions.
Among the immediate actions is the installation of a series of warning signages such as “Slow Down – Accident-Prone Area,” “Steep Downhill,” “Engine Brake/Shift to Low Gear” and “Strictly Observe 20 kph.”
Temporary reflective tarpaulin signages are set to be installed while funds are being sourced for permanent standard signages.
Reflectorized road markings will also be improved. DPWH is scheduled to install rumble strips on Monday, while properly designed speed humps are also being considered before reaching the critical section of the road.
As part of protective measures, authorities will study the installation of protective barriers, additional streetlights and a vehicle runaway escape ramp for emergency situations.
For traffic enforcement, the BCPO will deploy traffic personnel during peak hours and conduct random checks on vehicles to ensure brake compliance and prevent overspeeding.
The city will intensify information campaign on the condition of the road being an accident-prone and to remind drivers to observe safe downhill driving practices.
The team also transferrer large green metal road signages currently located at the junction of Naguilian and Longlong to Suello Road to further improve warnings for motorists.
For the long-term solution, officials said a possible road reconstruction or contour correction may be considered depending on the engineering findings of the BCDEO.
The mayor expressed alarm over the spate of accidents that happened along the site.
“This is an urgent matter, a safety issue. We must have short and long term solutions,” the mayor told the city engineer.
The latest accident in the area involved a white forward truck loaded with five cows. It was descending Suello Road from Taloy Norte when it bumped a Toyota Innova in front of it and crashed into the concrete railings along the road before overturning.
The truck driver, a 45-year-old married man and a native of Manaoag, Pangasinan who was residing in Taloy Norte, Tuba, Benguet, was declared dead at the scene. Another passenger, a male believed to be around 20 to 23 years old and a native of Urdaneta, Pangasinan who was also residing in Taloy Norte, also died in the crash.
A 14-year-old passenger, also a resident of Taloy Norte, sustained injuries and was brought to the hospital for treatment. ** Aileen P. Refuerzo
