Council to propose rules on PMA’s no decal, no entry policy

February 26, 2022 Metro BLISTT

The Baguio City Council will propose guidelines for a more lenient and flexible implementation of the ‘no decal, no entry’ policy imposed by the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) within its military reservations in the city such as barangays Camp Allen, Upper Market Subdivision, and St. Joseph Village.
The city council’s Committee on Laws, Human Rights, and Justice chaired by Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda was tasked to craft the said guidelines which will address all concerns brought up during the council’s dialogue with the barangay officials of Camp Allen and representatives of PMA last Monday.
The draft of the guidelines will be subject to the approval of all concerned parties. The ‘no decal, no entry’ policy is one of the security measures put into place to protect the military camps all over the country.
The decals are issued only to active or retired members of the military and they have authorized dependents, Armed Forces of the Philippines Civilian Human Resource Staff, Department of National Defense employees, and business tenants.
Concerned residents have been complaining to the city officials about the enforcement of the ‘no decal, no entry’ policy by PMA which impedes the smooth flow of vehicular traffic in their places.
Tabanda questioned the imposition of the policy on residents in nearby areas who traverse the military reservation. She said there are titled properties that are not part of the military reservation, so residents therein must not be compelled to abide by the policy.
“That road is the only passageway. Why are you restricting the movement and entry of private property owners who will only pass through the road?” Tabanda told Lt./Col. Maria Elena Esteban who represented PMA.
Esteban informed the council members that the policy will not apply to the senior citizens, pregnant women, persons with disabilities, and vehicles of public utilities, and will not be applied in cases of emergencies as agreed upon during a dialogue between the City Mayor’s Office and the concerned parties.
Tabanda said the council may take the initiative in conducting dialogues for the resolution of various issues between PMA and affected residents along with the crafting of the proposed guidelines.
Jordan G. Habbiling