The Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFFI) said the twin grand parades — street dancing and float parades scheduled on Feb. 28 and March 1 — for the Panagbenga Festival are all set.
“We have everything in place, coordination with different groups and offices have been done, including the peace and order and security sector of the parades,” Evangeline Payno, chief of staff of the BFFFI said in a press conference on Wednesday.
She said that they are waiting for the final confirmation of one of the contingents regarding their participation in the parades.
There are 22 contingents for the street dancing parade and there are 30 floats, 11 of which are under the large float category.
She also thanked the volunteers and others working for the success of Panagbenga’s 30th year.
Aside from Baguio-based street dancers and performers, there will be contingents from Ifugao, San Jose (Nueva Ecija), Malasiqui (Pangasinan), Sto. Domingo (Ilocos Sur), Balaoan (La Union), Pugo (La Union) and Jones (Isabela) aside from delegates from Benguet province.
Col. Ruel Tagel, Baguio City Police Office director, also said there are 2,357 police personnel and volunteers who will be deployed for the two main events of the month-long festival.
“Most are police personnel. They will take charge of the crowd control, traffic and the advance command post,” Tagel said.
He added that they have coordinated with some public schools for the use of their compounds as pay parking areas, preventing the public from leaving their vehicles on the roadsides.
“We ask everybody to follow the rules and regulations as well as our ordinances for their safety and to ensure that they have a convenient visit for the festival and anytime,” the police official said.
The 1,500 police officers initially set for deployment will be doubled to cover other areas where related activities would be held.
This year, the BFFFI has included a special feature presentation with five chapters showing the events that happened in the city.
“This era presentations will showcase the community participation that made the Panagbenga happen and continue until now,” said Anthony de Leon, chairperson of the BFFFI executive committee. (PNA)
