BAGUIO CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Baguio Bureau) – Year in and year out, at the end of Holy Week, the major expressways leading to the National Capital Region become virtual parking lots because vacationers, mostly from the summer capital, Baguio City, are all rushing to get back in time for work on the Monday after Easter Sunday.

To avoid yet another repeat of nightmarish traffic along TPLEX and NLEX, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has announced that the two main thoroughfares to and from the city — Kennon Road and Marcos Highway — will be completely shut down on Sunday, April 9, and Monday, April 10. Vacationers in Baguio for the Holy Week will not be allowed to leave the city during those two days.

In an interview with The Adobo Chronicles, Magalong said that this is his city’s contribution to help with the congestion along expressways going southward during those two critical days.

So as not to burden stranded vacationers, Magalong said hotels and restaurants will offer a 50% discount for customers who can show that they have been affected by the shutdown.

Local businesses immediately praised Magalong’s initiative.