Panagbenga fest back February; events set

By Moises Cruz

BAGUIO CITY -- Mayor Benjamin Magalong said on Monday that the Panagbenga Festival in this summer capital is set this coming February after a long hiatus.
    Speaking in a public forum, Magalong added it will be beneficial to their economy and tourism since Baguio businessmen, vendors and marketplaces will gain from it; however, the local government will encounter traffic congestion.
    "We will coordinate with the Philippine National Police and our health and emergency services so we can be sure that the celebration will be safe, secure and orderly," Magalong said.
    "Traffic congestions also cause irritability among the local population, but you cannot stop tourists from visiting," he added.
    The festival, held annually in February, was founded as a homage to the city's flowers and as a means to recover from the destruction caused by the 1990 Luzon earthquake.
    The event includes floats covered largely in flowers and street dancing performed by dancers dressed in flower-inspired costumes.
    Magalong warned the public, particularly tourists attending the event, to be cautious of rental home scammers who have some postings on Facebook, as well as people using his surname to engage in fraudulent activities.
    "There are many scammers, but we continue to notify the public and we continue to give advisories that they should carefully look at Facebook posts," Magalong said.
    "Check only legitimate websites such as visita.baguio.gov.ph and Airbnb for places to stay," he added.
    The festival will take place from February 1 to March 5, 2023, with the theme "A Renaissance of Wonder and Beauty."