By: Vanessa Bugtong
Residents of Barangay Loakan Proper in Baguio City are urging local officials to install additional speed humps along the 1.8-kilometer access road, following a series of accidents, including a fatal incident involving a 45-year-old woman on November 12.
Jerry Comilang, a resident who still recalls the accident vividly, said he has become extra cautious whenever he walks along the road.
“The vehicles drive too fast, especially at dawn. No one slows down; they just go straight,” he said.
He added, “the victim had been dragged a long distance before she was reached by responders.”
The access road serves as a major route for residents of Purok Ongasan and becomes crucial during emergencies when the Loakan Airport area is closed to traffic.
Despite this, the stretch previously had no speed humps installed.
Barangay Loakan Proper’s Committee on Infrastructure spokesperson, Kagawad Vergilio Bautista, said they had requested humps in the past but were told by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) that the road fell under city jurisdiction.
“We requested before, but DPWH said they couldn’t install humps because the city had authority over it,” he explained.
After renewed concerns over accidents, the barangay appealed again, this time leading to action.
The City Engineering Office began constructing four speed humps this week.
Bautista said the measure is expected to help reduce speeding. “Drivers really need to slow down when they pass here, and many residents use this area,” he said. “This has become everyone’s shortcut.”
Comilang agreed, noting that the humps would encourage motorists to reduce speed.
While residents welcome the installation, some insist that four humps may not be enough and are asking for additional safety measures.
Barangay officials plan to discuss the request further with the City Engineering Office.
Data from the Baguio City Police Office show that from January to November this year, the city recorded 804 vehicular traffic incidents, 12 of which resulted in homicide.
