Following accidents involving motorists and cyclists going up Mount Tupira in Bantay, Ilocos Sur that resulted in fatalities, the municipal council has passed an ordinance banning vehicles from the mountain. 

The "Radar Road Ordinance" prohibits bicycles, tricycles, kuligligs, motorcycles, garongs, and e-bikes, as well as motorcycles with engine capacities of 150cc and below, from going up the mountain. 

Romula Panela, Bantay Traffic Chief, said they will start enforcing the ordinance strictly after information dissemination. 

“Pag nakita na namin na we have conducted enough information sa mga tao, then and there, doon na kami manghuhuli ng violators,” he said.

Violators will be fined P1,000 to P2,000, and will have their license confiscated. 

Panela said motorists appear to go up the mountain as a form of practice for trips to areas with higher elevation like Baguio. 

“Magba-bike sila ng malayo, halimbawa going to Baguio, parang ginagawa nilang practice yung pag-akyat sa Mount Tupira,” Panela said.

Mount Tupira stands at 1,200 meters above sea level and is considered a protected area. It provides an ideal access spot to view the Northern Luzon Heroes Hill National Park in the part of the town of Santa.

It also overlooks the town of Bantay, as well as the Cordillera Mountains, and the province of Abra.

Mount Tupira is adjacent to Mount Caniaw, which has been developed as the Caniaw Heritage and Forest Park by the province. 

The traffic division has initiated dialogue with the barangay covering Mount Tupira for the implementation of the ordinance.