MANDALUYONG CITY -- As Baguio City opened its doors once again to tourists with the belated celebration of the Panagbenga Festival, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is present to provide emergency medical services (EMS).

The city opted to hold the world-renowned festival during the whole month of March 2022, instead of the usual February celebration, due to Covid-19 restrictions on mobility and mass gathering. Baguio City remains under Alert Level 1 until April 15, 2022 and all travel protocols are posted on the City's official website.

One of the highlights of this year’s Panagbenga Flower Festival was Session Road in Bloom held on March 21-27. The famous street was closed to traffic while entrepreneurs offered different products to locals and tourists.

During the event, the Philippine Red Cross Baguio City Chapter maintained a station daily from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm to ensure  people would be given first aid or transported to a hospital, that in case of any emergency.

The PRC EMS team served 408 patients who had their blood pressure taken, treated five individuals who experienced dizziness and nausea, and transported one patient to Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center.

PRC Chairman and CEO Senator Dick Gordon commends everyone for helping the economy but reminds all to continue practicing health safety protocols to avoid any resurgence of Covid-19.

"Kahit sa panahon ng mga kapistahan ay nandyan lagi ang Red Cross para maghatid ng mga serbisyo sa publiko, kagaya ng first aid at ambulansya," Chairman Gordon said.

The Philippines has also started welcoming foreign tourists from all countries beginning on April 1, 2022. (Philippine Red Cross)