BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) recently reported the successful implementation of the traffic and security plans during the Panagbenga Festival’s Opening Parade, Grand Street Dance Parade, and Grand Float Parade. These insights were shared by ranking police officers during the Kapihan sa Baguio on February 28, 2024. This sheds light on the success of their efforts to ensure the safety and smooth flow of festivities.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Domingo Gambican, BCPO Deputy City Director for Operations expressed satisfaction with the decreased traffic during the parades. This positive outcome was attributed to the innovative measures taken along the parade route.
“As we observed po during the three parades that we had conducted, yung opening parade street dance parade and yung float parade nakita po natin na maaliwalas po yung kalsada natin, this is because of the innovations that we had conducted along the parade road of this festival sa mga intersections po natin meron pong tayong mga established na innovations like yung pag open po natin ng emergency along north ng kalaw at least yon ay nakatulong kung paano mapaluwag yung kalsada natin” he stressed.
The opening of emergency lanes along North Drive and Kalaw streets and the strategic control points outside the central business district contributed to broader and more accessible roads.
Crucially, the discipline shown by both residents and tourists, who refrained from bringing cars and motorcycles around the business district, played a significant role in minimizing traffic congestion. Gambican emphasized the importance of these efforts in creating a seamless parade experience. “Of course, malaking factor din yung discipline shown by our residents as well as our tourists, at least they had complied with our request that as much as possible they should avoid bringing their motor vehicles inside the business district during the parade, yon talaga ang factor na nagpaluwag saating trapiko.”
Gambican reported an estimated crowd of 32,000 during the Panagbenga Float Parade and around 20,000 during the Grand Street Dance Parade. These figures were calculated based on square meters and photographic analysis of the crowd along the parade route.
Anthony de Leon, the Executive Committee Chairperson of the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc. (BFFFI), expressed optimism about the festival’s future attendance.
Acknowledging the slow recovery from the pandemic, “Of course, we would like to have more visitors, and I guess it’s a slow climb to pre-pandemic levels. We have to understand that people are still trying to recover from the pandemic; hopefully, by next year, there will be more visitors to Baguio. At the same time, it will also give the city enough time to plan for accommodating bigger numbers.”
Regarding security, Gambican highlighted the significant reduction in reported crimes during this year’s Panagbenga Festival. With only 13 recorded crimes, eight pickpocketing incidents, and four involving individuals from Dasmarinas, Cavite, the city demonstrated a notable improvement from the previous year’s 18 reported crimes. All cases have been duly filed at the prosecutor’s office.
Remarkably, there have been no reported crimes on Session Road and Bloom since the festival’s opening.
Despite the lower crime rate, BCPO maintained a strong presence with deployed personnel and intelligence operations around key areas such as the Market Encounter of Burnham Park and Session Road in Bloom.
The deployment of emergency lanes along various roads and intersections in the central business district proved crucial for prompt responses to medical emergencies. Gambican highlighted the increased efficiency in assisting those in need and facilitating quicker routes for ambulances to reach hospitals.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Domingo Gambican expressed gratitude on behalf of the Baguio City Police Office and the Philippine National Police, extending thanks to volunteers, media partners, the committee, tourists, and especially the residents for their collaborative efforts in ensuring the success of their traffic and security coverage.
The meticulous planning and execution of the traffic and security plan by BCPO, coupled with the cooperation of residents and tourists, contributed to the success of the Panagbenga Festival 2024. The city not only showcased its vibrant cultural celebration but also demonstrated its commitment to safety and order during large-scale events. By Jackielyn Reyes
