BAGUIO CITY (PIA) - - This city is slowly recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and reliving its title as the “Summer Capital of the Philippines” with thousands of visitors now coming up to experience the cold weather, the scenic spots and  adventures Baguio  has to offer.

 City Tourism Officer Aloysius Mapalo, in a media forum, affirmed the upward trend of visitors coming up to Baguio especially during weekends and during the Holy Week.

Mapalo shared that the April 8 to 10 weekend registration to the VISITA Apps was around 51,000.  Visitors registration also reached around 55,000 during the Panagbenga weekends in March. 

Based on the baguio.visita.gov.ph - online registration for local and foreign visitors, there were already around 55,000 Baguio visitors that registered as of April 13, Holy Wednesday. 

Meanwhile, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio (HRAB) President and Baguio Country Club General Manager Anthony De Leon affirmed that their member hotels are fully booked during the Holy Week break.

With the expected continued influx of tourists, the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) assured that in partnership with volunteer groups, operation plan “Ligtas SumVac” (Safe Summer Vacation) is in place.

PLtCol Judy Jasmine Palicos of the BCPO, in the same forum, appeals to motorists and the public for patience on the traffic situation and   for continuing cooperation of both tourists and residents in ensuring a safe, peaceful and orderly Baguio.

To also help ease the flow of traffic along Marcos Highway and Naguilian Road, the Joint Inter - Agency Task Force Kennon headed by Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Chairperson and Office of the Civil Defense Regional Director Albert Mogol approved the temporary opening of Kennon road to non – residents public and private vehicles.

As per the JIATF directive, effective April 18, Kennon Road is open on one – way inbound (going up to Baguio) direction every Monday (5:01am) to Sunday (4:59am), then one – way outbound (going down from Baguio) every Sunday (5:00am) up to Monday (5:00 am).

Motorists are also advised to maintain a speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour, drive safely and strictly adhere to traffic and parking rules, as there are also residential vehicles that are moving within Kennon Road. Vehicles that are more than five tons are not allowed to pass through Kennon Road. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)