Much like Metro Manila’s Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), Baguio City Number Coding Scheme restricts certain vehicles based on the last digit of their license plate to improve mobility in the city center’s busiest commercial and tourist areas. It was established under Baguio City Ordinance No. 001-2003, and is strictly implemented by the Baguio City Government because the Central Business District (CBD) has narrow roads and heavy tourist traffic.
Take note that the ordinance applies to all motor vehicles, except for those explicitly exempted by the issuance, so if you need to drive around Baguio City, you’d want to make sure you understand the coding schedule and the affected roads to avoid getting flagged and slapped with traffic violations and penalties during your trip.
Understanding Baguio Number Coding Scheme
According to Section 825 of the Baguio City Ordinance No. 001-2003, any motor vehicle that is not exempted is prohibited from entering the number coding zone during the designated coding days and hours. This applies to all motor vehicles, including motorcycles, unless specifically exempted by the ordinance itself or later amendments. But, if your vehicle does not yet have a permanent license plate and you do not know the last digit of your plate number, then the last digit of the conduction sticker will be used to determine the actual coding day.
Restrictions
It strictly prohibits:
- Entry to the designated number coding zone on vehicle’s prohibited day
- Any vehicle operation within the zone during coding hours
- Parking on streets inside the coding zone during the restriction period from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
With this, the city meant to reduce congestion in Baguio City’s CBD, particularly along busy commercial and tourist areas by controlling the number of vehicles entering the area during peak hours. It was meant to keep traffic manageable, considering that Baguio City has extremely limited road space.
Implementation
To date, the scheme remains one of the key traffic regulations implemented by the Baguio City Government. In lieu of Metro Manila’s MMDA, the ordinance is implemented through several city government offices.
- The City Engineering Office is responsible for installing the necessary traffic signs indicating coding zones and restrictions.
- The Traffic Division of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) assists in enforcement.
- Traffic enforcers and police officers also monitor compliance and issue citation tickets for violations.
These offices coordinate to ensure the rules are properly implemented throughout the coding zone.
Baguio Coding Hours
According to Section 827 of the ordinance, the number coding scheme is enforced as follows:
- Coding hours and days: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM (Monday to Friday)
- Window hours: None (No window hours within the coding zone)
Unlike in Metro Manila, Baguio’s number coding scheme does not have window hours, meaning vehicles with restricted plate numbers cannot enter the coding zone at any time during the 12-hour enforcement period. The scheme is also limited to a specific coding zone, instead of the region-wide implementation of Metro Manila coding hours.
Baguio Coding Schedule
The coding schedule depends on the last digit of the vehicle’s license plate. This means all vehicle types are prohibited from entering the number coding zone on specific days as follows:
- Plate numbers 1 and 2 – Monday
- Plate numbers 3 and 4 – Tuesday
- Plate numbers 5 and 6 – Wednesday
- Plate numbers 7 and 8 – Thursday
- Plate numbers 9 and 0 – Friday
Note: This rule applies to everyone, residents and visitors alike.
Road Coverage and Boundaries
The Baguio City number coding rules apply to all roads inside the designated number coding zone, which covers the CBD. It is bounded by a perimeter line that defines the coding zone includes the following roads:
- Naguilian Road from the junction of Bokawkan Road to the junction of Abanao Street
- Abanao Street Extension up to the junction of Yandoc Street
- Yandoc Street
- Legarda Road up to the junction of Marcos Highway
- Marcos Highway from the junction of Legarda Road to Baguio General Hospital Circle
- Kennon Road from BGH Circle to the junction of Military Cut-Off Road
- Military Cut-Off Road up to Military Circle
- South Drive from Military Circle to Teacher’s Camp Road
- M. Roxas Road up to Trancoville Bridge
- Bokawkan Road including the portion of Magsaysay Avenue below the flyover from the junction of La Trinidad Road and Trancoville Bridge to the junction of Naguilian Road
Note: While all roads inside this perimeter line are part of the coding zone, the perimeter line itself is not.
The ordinance clearly states that roads forming the perimeter line itself are considered outside the number coding zone. This means vehicles with coding restrictions may still pass through these perimeter roads without violating the scheme.
- Naguilian Road
- Abanao Street Extension
- Yandoc Street
- Legarda Road
- Marcos Highway
- Kennon Road
- Military Cut-Off Road
- South Drive
- M. Roxas Road
- Bokawkan Road
- Portions of Magsaysay Avenue below the flyover
These routes effectively act as bypass roads or traffic corridors around the coding zone, allowing vehicles to bypass the restricted central area.
Exemptions
The Baguio City coding scheme is not absolute, which means certain vehicles and situations are exempted from the restriction.
Exempted Vehicles
The coding rule does not apply to:
- Chartered minibuses from outside Baguio used for educational tours or excursions
- Government vehicles with red plates performing official duties
- Philippine Postal Corporation vehicles used for mail delivery
- Armored bank vehicles used for money transfers
- Vehicles responding to emergencies involving danger to life or property
- Water delivery trucks assisting in fire control
- Service vehicles of public utility companies performing emergency repairs
- School service vehicles registered with the LTFRB transporting preschool, elementary, and high school students may operate within specific hours in the coding zone:
- 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM
- 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Visitor and Tourist Vehicles or private vehicles used by tourists, visitors, or participants of conventions and conferences may also be allowed entry if they possess proper documents or stickers issued by the event organizers.
Passage Permit Option
Section 833 of the same ordinance say that drivers who need to enter the coding zone on their restricted day may apply for a passage permit. The permit must be secured from the Office of the City Treasurer at least 24 hours before the prohibited day.
Applicable vehicles include:
- Franchised school services
- Private courier services
- Water delivery trucks with six wheels or fewer
The fee for the permit is ₱300 per day.
Penalties
Violating the Baguio number coding scheme is treated as non-observance of traffic control signals and signs, with penalties detailed in the ordinance as well.
The penalty includes:
- Confiscation of the driver’s license by authorities
- Issuance of a traffic citation ticket
- ₱500 fine payable to the City Treasury Office
Violators may only retrieve their license after settling the fine.
Suspension Rules
According to Section 831, the Baguio City number coding scheme cannot be suspended unless the City Mayor issues an Administrative Order.
Even then, suspensions may only occur in the following situations:
- During natural calamities
- In cases of public disturbances
- For major official celebrations or city-sponsored events
These suspensions are typically temporary and limited to specific periods.
Baguio City Number Coding Map
To help guide your trip to Baguio City, here’s a detailed map showing the covered areas, perimeter roads, along with the entry and exit points of the coded areas.
