BAGUIO CITY — Residents and visitors strolling through Baguio may soon need to be more mindful of where they walk as the city moves to strengthen its “keep right” system on two-way sidewalks and pedestrian lanes.
The Philippine News Agency reported that the city is reinforcing the pedestrian rule to improve the movement of people and reduce conflicts on busy walkways.
Under the system, pedestrians are expected to stay on the right side of the sidewalk or pedestrian path, allowing people moving in the opposite direction to pass more smoothly.
The policy is particularly relevant in Baguio’s crowded commercial areas, where pedestrian congestion can quickly develop, especially during weekends, holidays and peak tourism periods.
THE RULE ISN’T ACTUALLY NEW
While the latest push is gaining attention, Baguio’s “keep right” policy has been around for years.
The city’s Resolution 261, Series of 2013, established the “Keep Right System,” with city information campaigns reminding pedestrians to keep to the right when using sidewalks, pedestrian lanes and other walking areas.
The policy has also been used in specific pedestrian-management schemes in the past.
In 2020, for example, the Baguio City Police Office marked sidewalks along Session Road with directional arrows to guide pedestrian movement. People going uphill and downhill were directed to use designated sides of the road, with crossing points provided for those who needed to change direction.
The idea is straightforward: walk right, maintain the flow and avoid blocking the people behind you.
WHY BAGUIO IS BRINGING IT BACK INTO THE SPOTLIGHT
The renewed attention comes as Baguio continues efforts to become a more pedestrian-friendly and walkable city.
Earlier this year, the city also pushed a P250-million sidewalk improvement project, part of its broader “walkable city” vision. PNA reported that the planned sidewalks are designed with a standard width of 1.5 meters and other features intended to improve pedestrian movement and safety.
That infrastructure push makes pedestrian discipline increasingly important.
A wider and better-designed sidewalk can improve mobility, but its effectiveness can still be undermined when people stop in the middle of walkways, form groups across the entire path or move unpredictably against the flow of pedestrians.
BAGUIO HAS OTHER RULES FOR PEDESTRIANS, TOO
The “keep right” reminder is also part of a broader set of pedestrian-safety measures already implemented in the city.
Baguio has an Anti-Distracted Walking Ordinance, which restricts certain forms of distracted behavior while walking or crossing streets. The city has continued reviewing and strengthening the measure, with the City Council approving an expanded version on second reading in August 2026.
The existing policy has targeted activities such as using mobile devices while crossing streets or walking in ways that obstruct or compromise pedestrian safety.
Baguio City has also emphasized its King of the Road Ordinance, which gives pedestrians priority at designated pedestrian crossings and requires motorists to observe pedestrian lanes.
Together, these measures reflect the city’s broader effort to make walking safer and more orderly.
TACTILE PAVEMENTS ALSO FORM PART OF THE SAFETY PUSH
Baguio has previously highlighted the importance of properly using tactile pavement, particularly for persons with visual disabilities.
In 2022, city officials said they were reviewing sections where tactile pavement could become slippery, particularly on narrow or sloped sidewalks. Officials also urged the public to understand the purpose of the tactile paths and observe the keep-right policy.
Representatives of organizations for visually impaired residents described the tactile paths as important mobility aids, underscoring why pedestrians should avoid blocking or misusing designated accessibility features.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR LOCALS AND TOURISTS
For anyone walking around Baguio, the rule is simple:
Keep to the right when walking on two-way sidewalks and pedestrian paths.
If you need to stop to check your phone, take a photo, wait for someone or decide where to go next, move toward the side instead of stopping in the middle of the pedestrian flow.
And when crossing a street, use designated pedestrian lanes and remain alert to surrounding vehicles and other pedestrians.
For tourists, this may seem like a small courtesy—but in a city where pedestrian traffic can become extremely dense, small habits can make a significant difference.
Baguio has long promoted itself as a city where people can walk, explore and enjoy public spaces. The challenge now is making sure that growing pedestrian traffic does not turn those same walkways into bottlenecks.
The message from the city is increasingly clear: if you’re walking in Baguio, keep right—and keep moving.
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