The famous Baguio flower festival or the Panagbenga which was cancelled earlier this year due to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic will push through on February 2021, the City Government of Baguio confirmed.
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said that the festivity will be simple. Programs and activities planned for the festival will be localized. The usual highlights of the festival such as the grand street dancing competition and the float parade will not be conducted.
“Magkakaroon lang tayo ng simple na ceremony. At the same time, magkakaroon tayo ng landscaping na very limited naman. Kaya nating i-limit naman ‘yung mga number of people sa mga sites natin (We will only have a simple ceremony. At the same time, we will have limited landscaping. We can limit the number of people in the sites),” Mayor Magalong stated.
Landscapes and different artworks of local artists in the city will be showcased in the said festival, similar to the works exhibited during the celebration of the Ibagiw Festival.
The city government anticipates the participation of the residents in the said activity while abiding by the health and safety protocols.
“It will be a very simple lang na opening. After that, wala nang parada. After that, ‘yung landscaping, ‘yung gardens sa ating mga exhibits. Iyon lang siguro ang mga highlights for next year (It will be a very simple opening only. After that, there will be no parade. After that are the landscaping and gardens in the exhibits. These may be the only highlights for next year),” the Pine City chief elucidated.
Meanwhile, the city government is continuously monitoring any updates regarding the new strain of COVID-19 for possible enactment of stringent protocols. – Report from Breves Bulsao/PTV Cordillera
