In a bid to free the public from saddling congestion fees, Councilor Edison Bilog wants the Smart Urban Mobility Project (SUMP) rejected.
Bilog said “Next na dapat i-oppose ay ang binabalak na congestion fee,” on the heels of the withdrawal of SM Prime holdings in the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to re develop the Baguio Public Market.
The SUMP’s mandatory 120-day review period began on October 8, 2025 and ends February 4, 2026, after all project documents were certified complete with the council mandated to decide to accept the project, accept it with revisions or reject it all together.
Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) holds Original Proponent Status (OPS) for the P2.5-billion contract, which aims to reduce traffic through contested congestion charges and other transport solutions.
Since the scheduled deliberation the previous year following the project’s endorsement by the City Development Council (CDC), has yet to be calendared.
Bilog decried apprehension on the approved Committee Report of councilor Fred Bagbagen submitted January 5, endorsing the project but highlighted there has been no public consultations for the crucial project seen to be the future of Baguio’s traffic management.
“I-reject na natin ito ng maaga,” Bilog said, adding that the next step of the process would be to invite resource persons from the MPTC as well as stakeholders and surmised that a public consultation would be scheduled before the February deadline for decision.
It is the third high-profile PPP proposal under council evaluation, following the now failed SM PPP market redevelopment deal and the approved Unified terminal under Megawide Enterprises.
The SUMP proposal by MPTC has drawn significant resistance to its central funding mechanism: the proposed “congestion charging.” This system intends to require private cars to pay fees as high as P250 for entering the city’s Central Business District (CBD), including Session Road, during peak hours.
North Luzon Monitor reached out to the MPTC but was told that there has been a change in leadership in the company which has stalled any media interviews or inquiries in the project for the city.
Opposition for the project has been mounting with individuals and civil society organizations signifying their sentiments to the SUMP -PPP deal. By Maria Elena Catajan