100,000 tourists expected in Baguio City this Holy Week

Some 100,000 tourists are expected to troop to summer capital Baguio City this Holy Week.

The Baguio City Police Office is on alert to ensure the security and safety of tourists during Holy Week and the long weekend, according to a report of Claire Lacanilao of GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon on Unang Balita on Wednesday.

More than 1,000 cops have been deployed to tourist spots, churches, and terminals of buses and vans.

"'Yung mga naka-deploy ngayon na (Police Assistance Desk) natin doon, sila 'yung tumutulong sa pag-assist sa mga motorista na paakyat ng Baguio, lalong-lalo na 'yung mga baguhan, at saka nag-ga-guide din sila sa mga puwedeng alternate route na pasukan para hindi na kailangang pumasok sa (Central Business District)," Baguio City Police Office public information officer Police Lieutenant Angeline Dongpaen said.

(Our cops manning Police Assistance Desks assist motorists going up to Baguio, especially those who are first timers. They also guide them toward alternate routes they may take so they would not need to have to enter the Central Business District.)

The City Tourism Office is also on alert, and has put up motorist and tourist assistance desks in tourist spots.

Authorities advised visitors to be extra patient as heavy traffic may be expected.

To date, hotels and transient houses are already fully booked for the Holy Week and long weekend.

Authorities meanwhile are monitoring possible scams offered by fake transient houses.

"Planuhin po natin nang maigi ang ating pagbiyahe sa Baguio. Hangga't maaari, may kausap na sana tayong accommodation establishments para hindi tayo dito pa maghahanap. Meron tayong listahan ng mga legitimate na businesses ng city or accommodation establishment sa visita.baguio.gov.ph," Baguio City Tourism Office tourism operations officer II Rachelle Anne Montoya said.

(Let's plan our trip to Baguio. As much as possible, coordinate with accommodation establishments so you would not have to look for a place to stay when you are already here. There is a list of legitimate accommodation establishments on visita.baguio.gov.ph.)

The City Tourism Office is coordinating with other government agencies to ensure the safe and peaceful visits of tourists.

It said it is also expecting that more tourists will arrive after Holy Week.

Meanwhile, authorities reminded visitors to dispose of their garbage responsibly and follow the city's regulations such as the no smoking policy and number coding scheme. —KG, GMA Integrated News