The City of Baguio may have opened its door for tourists, but not for vehicles without plate numbers. The proposed city ordinance for such prohibition has just passed the third and final reading. 

According to Jordan Habbiling,  information officer of the Baguio City Council, the ordinance penalizing vehicles without registration plates is now in the City Mayor’s office, just waiting for the final approval.

Under the said ordinance, owners of motor vehicles without registration plates attached either on the front or rear bumper or both, or motor vehicles using registration plates other than that issued exclusively for the vehicle shall be prohibited to roam around the City. 

In case the plate number is still unavailable, the conduction sticker, motor vehicle file number, or improvised registration plate authorized by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will suffice. 

As an exception to the rule, vehicles whose plate numbers were detached by an authorized person for a traffic violation will not be penalized, as long as the driver can provide the traffic citation ticket issued within 72 hours.

In addition, locally assembled vehicles for dropping with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will also be allowed to enter the city but for the purpose of registration, inspection and/or obtaining clearances only.

A penalty of Php 2,000 will be imposed on vehicles without a registration plate, conduction sticker, MV file number, or temporary registration plate. Meanwhile, a heavier penalty of Php 5,000 will be imposed on vehicles with a different registration plate, conduction sticker, motor vehicle file number, or temporary registration plate not authorized by the LTO.