Panagbenga opens on colorful note; cops to ensure peaceful festivities

February 2, 2013 1:26pm



Baguio City's yearly Panagbenga Festival went off to a colorful start over the weekend, highlighted by a grand parade and dance contests.

Visitors were treated to the drum-and-lyre competition that started the festivities, according to a report on "Balitanghali" on Saturday.

The festival will last the entire February, even as police reassured the public it is ready to ensure a peaceful and orderly festival.

Earlier, a report on state-run Philippine Information Agency said police have made preparations to cope with the large number of visitors at the festival.

“Police will be very visible and will be felt by the people,” it quoted Baguio City Police Office head Senior Superintendent Jesus Cambay as saying.

The 18th Panagbenga, also known as the Baguio Flower Festival, will run from February 1 to March 3, the PIA said.

Cambay said augmentation forces will be coming from the Cordillera police regional office as well as the Police Regional Training Service and volunteer civic action groups.

Added help to secure the event will come from the National Service Training Program (NSTP) of colleges and universities in Baguio. — LBG, GMA News