BAGUIO CITY – Councilor Elmer Datuin, executive chair of this year’s Panagbenga celebration, said the feared “carmageddon” or monstrous traffic jams did not materialize during the just-concluded Grand Street Dancing and Float Parades, the festival’s most visited events.
He was seconded by city administrator Carlos Canilao who said that this welcome development can be attributed to visitors’ leaving their vehicles at their hotels or homes and using public transportation.
“Local and foreign tourists must have learned from past experiences that it would be more convenient for them to leave their vehicles at their hotels or homes and take public transportation instead,” he added.
Both officials made the declaration in Tuesday’s City Hall Hour press conference spearheaded by the public information office under the City Mayor’s Office.
Canilao pointed out however, that there was still an increase in garbage after the parades.
“We are continuously reminding the public to please properly dispose of their litter in trash receptacles,” he said.
Earlier, Mayor Mauricio Domogan reiterated his appeal to residents and visitors to cooperate and do their share in the Summer Capital’s on-going anti-littering campaign by depositing their trash in garbage receptacles and not just anywhere.
He said this will go a long way in easing the city’s garbage problem that usually spikes during big events like the Panagbenga.
The chief executive said the public should utilize the trash receptacles put in various areas of the central business district for their litter as he encouraged visitors to treat Baguio as their home-away-from-home and keep its environment clean, green and garbage-free.
By: Gaby Keith
