Closure of roads for 22nd Panagbenga fest approved

BAGUIO CITY – The city council approved closure of several main roads in the city on specific dates for major events of the 22nd Baguio Flower Festival or Panagbenga from Feb. 1 to March 5.

On Feb. 1, South Drive Road from its junction with Teachers Camp up to Panagbenga Park, Upper Session road up to Lower Session road, Magsaysay Avenue up to its junction fronting the Baguio Center Mall, Harrison road up to its junction with Lake Drive will be closed to vehicular traffic from 1 am to 3 pm for the Panagbenga grand opening parade and elimination round for the streetdancing competition.

Starting Jan. 19, Burnham Lake Drive from the Ganza up to the Solibao restaurant will be one-way to allow landscapers to put up their respective pieces in time for the opening of the month-long Baguio Bloom Exposition and Exhibition on Feb. 1 up to March 5.

From Feb. 1 to March 5, Burnham Lake Drive and Juan Luna Drive will be totally closed to vehicular traffic for the Baguio Blooms Exposition and Exhibition.

The city council also approved use of Melvin Jones football field for  grand opening parade on Feb. 1, the Let A Thousand Flowers Bloom, Panagbenga kite-flying challenge, Panagbenga variety show and other family-oriented events on February 12 and the grand streetdancing competition on February 25, and the grand float parade on February 26.

On Feb. 25, South Drive from Military Cut-off rotunda to Lower Session road, Magsaysay Avenue and Harrison road will be closed to vehicular traffic from 1 am to 3 pm for the grand streetdancing parade while on February 26, Upper Session road from Military Cut-off up to Lower Session road and Harrison road will be closed from 1 am to 3 pm for the grand float parade.

Traffic will be closed for the whole stretch of Session road from SM rotunda to Malcolm Square from Feb. 27 to March 5 for the Session Road in Bloom while the use of Wright Park on March 4, was approved for the Pony Boys Day and the Baguio Athletic Bowl will be used for the closing and awarding ceremonies and the grand fireworks display on March 5.

The council also approved re-routing of Victory Liner buses with passenger loading and unloading at the Baguio Convention Center grounds from 5 am to 12 pm on Feb. 1, 25 and 26 to ensure unobstructed use of Upper Session road as the assembly point for all participants of events on said dates.

However, the council stated as one of conditions non-use of Melvin Jones football field for trucks, thus, heavy vehicles will only be allowed at the Ganza parking area and for equipment to be manually carried to the stage and other portions of the football ground.--Dexter A. See