City officials recently requested the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc. (BFFFI) to include any activity related to trees and other non-tree planting events as part of the activities during the celebration of the Panagbenga or flower festival in the city.
Under Resolution No. 324, series of 2023, local legislators stated that in preparation for the tree-planting events, activities like gathering of pine cones or seeds and other non-tree planting events shall be conducted among the activities of the month-long celebration of the Panagbenga to help in sustaining the efforts to preserve and protect the city’s environment.
During the Scout Officials for a Day (SOFAD) held on October 14, 2019, the SOFAD council adopted the proposal of SOFAD Councilor Dennise M. Maguen which requested the BFFFI to include tree-planting events as one of the activities during the conduct of the annual Panagbenga or Baguio Flower Festival.
Panagbenga is an annual flower occasion that reflects the history, traditions and values of the city and the Cordillera as a whole. It was envisioned as a tribute to the city’s flowers and as well to rise from the devastation of the July 16, 1990 killer earthquake that rocked most parts of Northern Luzon.
The city was nicknamed the City of Pines because of its then abundant and large cover of trees but the same dwindled through the years due to rapid development and these need to be nurtured and replenished through regular tree planting activities to preserve and promote what the city is famous for as haven of flowers and trees.
Panagbenga is celebrated in February and tree planting activities are conducted starting in the month of June up to September every year.
Copies of the approved resolution will be forwarded to the BFFFI for information, guidance, ready reference and further needed action.
