Mandatory reflector vests in Baguio soon
Motorcycle and bicycle riders, like many tourists, flock to Baguio for its cool climate, great food, and scenic views. But soon, the city may require these riders to wear reflectorized vests in a move aimed at boosting road safety, especially during Baguio’s frequent foggy conditions.
Baguio City Councilor, Leandro Yangot, Jr., has reintroduced the measure, reviving a similar ordinance first filed by former Councilor Elaine Sembrano in 2020 but left pending at the Baguio Traffic and Transportation Technical Working Group.
The proposal seeks to reduce accidents at night or in low-visibility conditions by mandating high-visibility vests made of fluorescent materials, such as neon green, yellow, or orange, fitted with reflective strips visible from the front and back. The ordinance specifies that the vests must allow ease of movement for riders.
If approved, the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) and the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) will enforce the measure, with inspections focused between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM. Penalties include a PHP 500 fine and a warning for the first offense, PHP 1,000 for the second, and PHP 2,000 plus vehicle impoundment for subsequent violations. Exemptions will be made for riders engaged in official government operations, emergency response, or other cases identified by the City Council.
The ordinance has already passed its first reading and is under review by the Committee on Public Utilities, Transport, and Traffic Legislation.
The mandatory reflectorized vest ordinance is not unique. The Province of La Union, for example, passed its own measure requiring reflectorized vests in 2018. A similar ordinance was also implemented last year in Pangasinan, where violators face fines of up to PHP 5,000. While Benguet Province had a similar ordinance in place in June 2022, it was suspended just two months later in August of the same year.
