Mayor: Panagbenga Festival set full blast

By Gaby B. Keith

BAGUIO CITY -- Mayor Benjamin Magalong declared that next year's staging of Panagbenga 2023 under the theme "A Renaissance of Wonder and Beauty" will "proceed as planned."
    The mayor described the much-awaited event as a "reset button" of sorts after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
    "We will proceed as planned with the celebration and there will be no-holds barred and no let-up. I see no hindrances so far, that's why we will go full blast," the mayor stressed at the formal launching of the 2023 Baguio Flower Festival on Monday, December 12, at the flag- raising rites at the Baguio City Hall.
    The launching was graced by Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. chairman former mayor Mauricio Domogan and Department of Tourism-Cordillera director Jovy Ganongan, and other officials and guests.
    Magalong expressed excitement for the return of the world-famous festival but also admitted "feeling a bit of anxiety" due to the expected increase in Covid-19 cases during the event.
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    "We must all learn to live with Covid-19 and other viruses. However, it is still better for everyone to be conscious in observing health protocols," the mayor said as he encouraged the public to keep wearing masks indoors and even outdoors in crowded situations.
    He revealed that the city government continues to formulate its own contingency plans to ensure the safety of residents and visitors, especially during huge celebrations like the Panagbenga and figure out measures to minimize the "irritability factor" of people caught in traffic jams caused by these activities.
    The mayor is hoping that the city's smart mobility system will be implemented soon to address the Summer Capital's traffic woes and decrease carbon emissions from vehicles to protect the environment.
    Among the activities included in the much-awaited Panagbenga 2023 are the Grand Opening Parade on February 1; the Grand Street Dance and Float Parades on February 25 and 26; Session Road in Bloom from February 27 to March 5; Awarding and Closing Ceremonies and Grand Aerial Fireworks Display on March 5.