BAGUIO CITY — Vibrant colors of floral and traditional costumes filled the main thoroughfares of Baguio City on Saturday for its annual grand street parade in celebration of the flower festival better known as the Panagbenga Festival.

 Although this is the second year that the festival has been conducted in full since the pandemic, organizers say that they expect the number of visitors to return, if not surpass, pre-pandemic levels.

 Anthony De Leon, Chairperson of the Panagbenga organizing committee, says they expect even more tourists and participants for Sunday's grand float parade.

 “It’s a historic record in the number of participants for the float, kasi usually we average 14-15 large floats. For tomorrow we have 33 floats. That’s the highest number of participants we’ve ever [had] and for 29 years of the flower festival,” he said.

 De Leon sees Sunday’s figures being 300% higher compared to Saturday’s festivities, given that most people are still making their way to the city to attend the highlight of the festival.

 Mayor Benjamin Magalong says the city’s celebration keeps getting better and better as more schools, volunteers and groups continue to support it.

 Throughout the city, uniformed personnel and medical teams were stationed in strategic areas to ensure the safety of both participants and visitors.

 As more people make their way to the City of Pines, Magalong advises motorists to take note of roadworks and schedules when accessing Kennon Road.

 “Meron tayong issue ngayon sa Kennon [Road], kasi nga ginagawa yung rock shed dun ngayon. It’s actually a tunnel katulad ng ginawa sa Marcos Highway para fully protected ang kalsada na meron erosion. This will be three months na gagawin,” he said.

 Kennon Road will be a one way road with Thursday, Friday and Saturday dedicated to the direction towards Baguio City and the rest of the weekdays for motorists going towards the direction of Manila.

The mayor notes that motorists can still use other roads to access the city like the Marcos Highway, Asin Road and Naguilan. 

Despite warmer afternoons, morning and evening temperatures can still get nippy, which is why the public is reminded to bring their their jackets. 

Magalong also cautions visitors to be mindful of their belongings.

 “Nagaakyatan nanaman kasi ang mga pickpocketers coming from the lowlands. But rest assured na significantly reduced na yung incidents ng pickpockets sa Baguio,” Magalong said.

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