Residents and Visitors May Soon Pay P250 to Enter Baguio City’s Central Business District

Baguio City is considering a P250 congestion fee for private cars and visitor vehicles entering its central business district, as part of the Smart Urban Mobility Project. The proposal was discussed in a public consultation on June 5 and aims to reduce traffic congestion and lower carbon emissions.

The Proponent of the Project

The Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) presented this proposal under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme. Inspired by cities like Singapore and London, the fee is expected to promote disciplined driving and generate local revenue.

Exemptions or Added Cost?

Exemptions include public transportation, vehicles driven by senior citizens and persons with disabilities, uniformed personnel on duty, and emergency response vehicles. Taxis would receive a discounted fee, while government vehicles and Baguio residents would qualify for rebates.

MPTC’s proposal includes smart traffic command centers, smart parking facilities, and advanced traffic enforcement, allowing real-time road condition monitoring and pre-booking of parking spaces. Negotiations are ongoing before the project is submitted to the City Council for approval.

What the People are Saying Online

However, comments on social media suggest that improving the public transport system should be the priority. Many people argue against comparing Baguio to cities like Singapore, New York, Milan, and London, where similar fees are implemented, noting that these are first-world countries with efficient public transport systems. In contrast, Baguio, being in a third-world country, lacks a solid transport infrastructure.