The Baguio City Police Office will remain stationed across 67 public schools throughout the opening weeks of the school year to ensure continuous traffic management and student safety.
The extended deployment of the 152 personnel aims to provide a sustained police presence as schools settle into the “Balik Eskwela” routine, preventing a return to the severe traffic gridlocks and campus security risks that typically surge during the first days of classes.
Police Colonel Ruel Tagel, BCPO director, previously announced during the City Hall Hour press conference that teams are collaborating with barangay leaders and school administrators to enforce strict traffic rules right outside school gates.
Tagel said this includes the consistent enforcement of the city’s “King of the Road” ordinance, which mandates that vehicles stop for five seconds to prioritize crossing pedestrians.
By keeping officers on-site for the upcoming weeks, the BCPO plans to strictly implement anti-road obstruction rules, ensuring drivers do not block sidewalks or double-park near school grounds during peak drop-off and pick-up hours.
Tagel added the prolonged footprint is also designed to deter street crimes such as pickpocketing and snatching near major university lines and public school campuses while newly established Police Assistance Desks will remain fully operational to guide lost students and handle immediate campus emergencies during the transition period.
The city’s top cop emphasized that the BCPO’s goal is for families to feel a lasting sense of security, rather than just a temporary boost on day one of classes.
However, he reminded the community that long-term safety requires cooperation, urging parents to continuously teach their children street awareness and responsible walking habits. Clariz Hidalgo | UC Intern
