Tourists flock to Baguio to welcome New Year

Traffic is slowly building up at Baguio City’s business district, where most of the tourist spots are located, as visitors arrive in the country’s summer capital to welcome the New Year.

According to EJ Gomez’s report in 24 Oras on Monday, the city government has been on full alert status on the holiday season due to the expected number of tourists.

“Since the start of the holidays, nag-elevate na kami ng Code Blue, naka-activate na ang aming emergency operations center, and of course, yung aming command center ay naka-full alert status na,” said Baguio CDRRMO head Charles Bryan Carame.

(Since the start of the holidays, we elevated our status to Code Blue, we also activated our emergency operations center, and of course, our command center is on full alert status.)

The Baguio City government prepared a concert on New Year’s Eve, December 31 at the famous Burnham Park to celebrate the entry of the year 2025.

The Baguio Tourism Office also assured that everyone will experience fair weather in the city on Tuesday.

“Yung forecast natin for the weather, for today and tomorrow, there’s a little chance of rain,” said Erico Dispo, tourism operations assistant.

(Our weather forecast for today and for tomorrow is that there’s a little chance of rain.)

Tourists have been enjoying the cold weather of Baguio City as they take pictures with the St. Bernard dogs and the horses at Mines View Park.

For those who prefer to stroll around and enjoy the view, the Mansion, Wright Park, and the Botanical Garden are the popular places to visit.

“Okay po, masaya. Lahat gusto namin ma-experience kasi bihira lang kami makarating [dito],” said tourist Arsenia Cajucon.

(Everything’s okay and fun. We want to experience everything because it's rare for us to visit here.)

With throngs of tourists enjoying the city, police visibility in various landmarks has increased.

“Around 85 na mga PNP personnel will be deployed. Made-deploy po sila diyan sa Burnham kasi nga sasalubungin. Wala pa naman pong natatanggap na mga threat po, pero ‘yun nga po handang-handa na po ang pwersa ng Baguio City Police Office sa pagsalubong ng bagong taon,” saod P/Maj. Mary Grace Marron, Baguio City Police Office public information officer.

(Around 85 PNP personnel will be deployed. They will be deployed in Burnham Park. We have yet to receive reports on any threats, but the Baguio City Police Office’s force is ready to welcome the New Year.)

Further, the Baguio City Police’s data showed that 2,278 firecrackers have been confiscated so far amid the total ban on pyrotechnic devices in the city. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News