No. of :

No. of Shares:

Currently viewed by: Marcus Rosit

Panagbenga 2023 opens Feb. 1, support of Baguio folks,visitors sought

BAGUIO CITY (PIA) - - The Baguio Flower Festival   popularly known as Panagbenga is all set to open this February 1 with a grand opening parade along the city’s  main thoroughfares and a program at the Melvin Jones Grandstand.  

The Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFFI) headed by Executive Committee Chairman Anthony De Leon and the city government headed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong  seek  the  support of   residents and visitors for  the successful staging of Panagbenga 2023, which adopts the theme, “A Renaissance of Wonder and Beauty”.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong (middle) calls for the support of Baguio folks and tourist alike for a succesful staging of Panagbenga 2023. Also in photo are BFFFI Execom Chair Anthony De Leon (left) and BCPO Director Col. Francis Bulwayan Jr. (CCD/PIA CAR)

Magalong, in  Kapihan media forum at the Baguio Country Club  in January 25, outlined that  successful staging of Panagbenga 2023 will prove that Baguio City is very well on track towards economic recovery.

With  the expected influx of tourists during the duration of the  Panagbenga, he appeals to the city  residents  to be  patient  as he  assured that the city government has set    security, traffic management and peace and order preparation plans for the festival. 

De Leon  seconded the call for support and patience   especially  of the Baguio citizens as the    city remains among the top tourist destinations in the country amid the continuing presence of the COVID – 19 threat.

The estimated 1.5 to 1.7 million Baguio visitors (based on accounted data) in a year do not even reflect the real numbers as transient homes, unregistered homestays facilities and households accepting visitors are not accounted for, De Leon said.

Baguio City Police Office Director Francisco Bulwayan assured their  readiness in ensuring peace and order during the Panagbenga 2023, with almost 1,700 police personnel assigned to do crowd control along with hundreds of volunteer, as well as to ensure traffic management, manage  control points, tourist destinations and critical infrastructures such as public transport terminals and even the outskirt areas in the city.

Bulwayan also assured that there are also assigned  quick reaction teams that will be ready to respond to any emergency. 

For the Feb.  1 grand opening of Panagbenga 2023, there are three elementary schools and eight cultural performing groups that will join. The Philippine Military Academy and Saint Louis University High School and College marching bands will light up the festivity mode.

BFFFI Chief of Staff Evangeline Payno (left) gives updates on the grand parades rules and registration while Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio Executive Director Mary Lou Galiste shares the guidelines on the on the Market encounter and Session Road in Bloom. (CCD/PIA CAR)

The Panagbenga 2023 festivities will be  until  March 5. The festival highlights which are the Grand Street Dancing and the Grand Float parades  are set on February 25 and 26, respectively.  


For the other Panagbenga traditional events, the Handog ng Panagbenga sa Pamilya Baguio will be on February 12; the Fluvial parade at the Burnham Park Lake   on February 19;   Session Road in Bloom   from February 27 to March 5. The    market encounter will be opened   at the Burnham Park for the whole duration of the Flower Festival. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)

Saint Louis University Marching Band playing the Panagbenga hymn during the Baguio Flower Festival 2023 launching at the City Hall Flag raising ceremony last Dec 12, 2022. (CCD/PIA CAR)

About the Author

Carlito Dar

Writer

CAR

Information Officer II at PIA Cordillera

Feedback / Comment

Get in touch