Anti- Road Obstruction (ARO)

Cadets assigned at Baguio City Police Office participated in the OPLAN Anti Road Obstruction (ARO) together with PCPT BASINGA, Deputy Chief, TEU.

The Baguio City Police Office enforces the city ordinance with the help of the relevant barangay officials and other LGUs. The goal is to make public roads easier to access and to cut down traffic congestion in the central business district.

Anti-Road Obstruction Operation, or Oplan ARO, is a national campaign to clear major national, city, and barangay highways of public and private constructions and illegally parked cars. According to Mayor Benjamin Magalong, every barangay in the city supports Oplan ARO.[1]

Only Baguio City and Cebu City in the entire PNP organization have this type of unit, according to PLTCOL Dausen, the head of the Traffic Enforcement Unit. Three factors that cause traffic congestion, including the number of cars on the road, illegal parking, and a lack of parking spaces, are the leading causes of traffic jams in Baguio City.

One of the things the BCPO-TEU suggests to fix these problems is Oplan ARO (Anti-Road Obstruction), which the local government first agreed to in September 2016. In Administrative Order No. 116, the former mayor Domogan gave the 128 punong barangays instructions on carrying out Oplan ARO in their respective jurisdictions and keeping in close contact with the Baguio City Police Office through its various Police Stations. [2]

My observations during the conduct of Oplan ARO show that some residents continue to park on sidewalks or curb cuts despite the numerous signs prohibiting such behavior. If a driver has attended a seminar on traffic management before receiving their license, they must follow traffic laws and regulations, their behavior, and other traffic signs. Drivers must abide by the traffic ordinances to improve traffic flow and ensure everyone benefits.

As a future Public Safety Officer, enforcing city ordinances can be demanding but rewarding. It requires knowledge of local regulations, a commitment to public service, professionalism, and a willingness to respectfully and effectively engage with individuals and communities. With the proper training and approach, you can positively impact your community and help ensure they follow the ordinances.

____________________ [1] 13, N., & 5, F. (2022, November 17). City, Brgys to work on Strengthening Oplan Aro - Baguio Midland Courier. Baguio Midland Courier -. Retrieved February 14, 2023, from https://www.baguiomidlandcourier.com.ph/city-brgys-to-work-on-strengthening-oplan-aro/

[2] Anti-roadThe anti-road obstructions task force was created to address the traffic problem in Baguio City. NORTHBOUND PHILIPPINES NEWS ONLINE. (2016, October 5). Retrieved February 14, 2023, from https://northboundasia.com/anti-road-obstructions-task-force-created-address-traffic-problem-baguio-city/