Session Road “Sunday Pedestrian” extension crops traffic gridlock

January 6, 2020 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY (January 3, 2020) – Amid complaints of public utility vehicles (PUV) drivers and motorists from heavy traffic, Session Road might just see it closed every Sunday for 6 months more.

Claiming that they were able to have heard much positive feedback from the people of Baguio and visitors, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong says he is requesting the members of the Baguio City Council allow extending the closure of one lane of Session Road for another six months or 24 Sundays.

He said that he made the said request as early as December 1 last year. “Ang ganda naman ng feedback nakikita niyo every Sunday, there’s something new, also ayan na naman nag aattract ng tourist, iba’t ibang festivals dito it attracts tourists,” Magalong claims. He added that closing portion of the road brought good effects and livelihood opportunities to some people.”…pero nag su-suffer naman tayo sa quality of life so talagang may upside and downside.

May negative sensitivities and may positive sensitivities,” (but we are suffering from the quality of life so there is an upside and downside) the mayor admitted. He said that as the head of the local government, he sees these factors and he has to consider them Every Sunday, residents of Baguio stroll the closed upward bound lane of Session Road.

They were privileged to do chalk drawings on the pavement, take pictures or just simply there to bond with family and friends. Free concerts and street performances were also held in the area. Magalong said that if he listens to all of the feedbacks especially those who are giving negative comments, nothing happens.

The council approved the closure of the road since August 18, 2019 and supposed to end on December 18 last year. Its closure however prompted traffic gridlocks on road systems around Session Road.

Artemio A. Dumlao/ABN