Mayor enforces unified drive against road, smoking, littering issues

BAGUIO CITY — Mayor Benjamin Magalong has deputized barangay officials to spearhead anti-road obstruction (ARO), anti-smoking, and anti-littering operations within their respective jurisdictions, as part of a renewed unified campaign against these persistent issues in Baguio City.

Through Executive Order No. 112-2025, issued on September 2, 2025, the mayor authorized barangay heads to conduct operations, apprehend violators, and issue citation tickets for three key ordinances:

• Ordinance No. 7-1984, Article XVI – “Anti-Obstruction and Illegal Parking” (Oplan ARO)
• Ordinance No. 34-2017 – Smoke-Free Baguio Ordinance

• Ordinance No. 54, series of 1988 – Anti-Littering Ordinance

This move is anchored on Section 389, Chapter III of RA 7160 (Local Government Code), which directs the Punong Barangay to enforce all applicable laws and ordinances within their area.

It also follows Section 391, paragraph 24(a) of the same law, which empowers Sangguniang Barangay members to perform duties prescribed by law or ordinance.

Scope of Barangay Enforcement

1. Anti-Road Obstruction (ARO)
Deputized barangay officials and volunteers are authorized to issue citation tickets and remove illegal obstructions, such as:

• Illegally parked vehicles and junked items
• Construction materials (sand, gravel, lumber, cement, steel bars, debris, etc.) blocking the right-of-way

• Illegal structures, including shanties, stores, stalls, sheds, billboards, signages, fences, railings, and garbage receptacles obstructing roads

In line with Ordinance No. 91, series of 1989, barangay officials will also photograph illegally parked vehicles and submit reports to the Land Transportation Office (LTO), with a request to withhold renewal of vehicle registration until fines are paid.

2. Anti-Smoking Campaign
Barangay officials and volunteers are mandated to fully implement the Smoke-Free Baguio Ordinance, which prohibits the:

• Use, sale, distribution, and advertisement of cigarettes
• Use of electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems (ENDS/ENNDS) such as vapes and JUULs

• Use of tobacco products in public transport, government vehicles, public buildings, entertainment establishments, enclosed public areas, and other public spaces, except in designated smoking areas (DSAs)

Mayor Magalong emphasized that barangay officials should also serve as role models, especially to minors, in upholding the ordinance.

3. Anti-Littering Campaign
Barangay officials and volunteers are likewise directed to strictly enforce the Anti-Littering Ordinance, which penalizes individuals caught:

• Spitting, urinating, or throwing garbage in public spaces

• Dumping cigarette butts, wrappers, soil, and other refuse in streets, parks, plazas, alleys, waterways, and public buildings

Property owners are also required to:

• Provide garbage receptacles along sidewalks for public use

• Ensure receptacles are available inside buildings or establishments open to the public

In addition, deputized agents must conduct regular spot inspections in commercial and industrial establishments—such as hotels, restaurants, hospitals, transport companies, universities, and schools—to ensure cleanliness of their premises and adjacent areas, including roads, canals, curbs, alleys, and passageways.

Mayor Magalong reiterated that this unified effort empowers barangay leaders and community volunteers to take an active role in maintaining order, promoting health, and ensuring a clean and safe Baguio City.