By Rose Frejane A. Cruz

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Mayor Benjamin Magalong clarified that taking pictures at Lion Head on Kennon Road is not completely prohibited, but rather vehicles that stop right in front to take pictures that cause traffic on the road are prohibited.

According to Magalong, there is a designated parking area not far from Lion Head, so tourists are not prohibited from taking pictures at the area.

He said, “It depends on the traffic flow, if there are really many vehicles going up and down, it is really forbidden to stop their vehicles in the middle of the road or on the side just to take pictures, because it is an obstruction to the flow of traffic.”

Due to the criticism on social media regarding the tarpaulin placed in front of Lion Head, it has been removed, instead motorists are allowed to take pictures, but must park in the designated parking area.

The assignment of police officers to the area to guide motorists is in line with DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s directive on March 31 to strictly implement zero-obstruction policies, especially along Kennon Road, where many motorists stop for picture taking, causing heavy traffic in the area.

According to Magalong, the policy is in line with Secretary Remulla’s general guidance, and it is up to the discretion of the traffic controller in the area, who if it is really loose and parks in the parking area, can go to the landmark itself and take pictures.

“We just need discipline from our motorists so that they don’t have to deal with traffic on the road, so I appeal to our tourists who will be passing through Kennon Road to avoid stopping right in front of the landmark so as not to obstruct the flow of traffic and to those who want to take pictures of the Lion Head use the parking area so as not to obstruct the traffic around it.”

Kennon Road is the closest road with 33km to and from Baguio City, which is a great relief given the ever-increasing price of gasoline.