Baguio cancels Panagbenga, related events as nCov precaution
by Hanah TabiosFollowing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of the novel coronavirus or the 2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease (ARD) as a global health emergency, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong announced Friday the cancellation of the famed Panagbenga Festival’s opening parade on Saturday (Feb. 1).
(Rizaldy Comanda / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Magalong also cancelled the conduct of the following crowd-attracting activities in the Philippines’ summer capital as part of the local government unit’s initiative to prevent the spread of the virus:
- Cordillera Regional Athletic Association (CARAA) 2020 which was originally scheduled on Feb.16 to 21 but will be moved to a later date;
- Pedestrianization of Session Road every Sunday ;
- International jazz events.
The date of cancellation covers the next three weeks of February.
However, local agency heads present at the press conference clarified that tourists will still be able to visit Baguio and hold private activities such as weddings and birthdays. Baguio’s health official said hotel representatives were already trained and informed about the proper measures to take in case their guests develop flu-like symptoms.
Magalong also said there is no definitive decision yet regarding the Panagbenga events on Feb. 29 and March 1. According to the program of activities, the highlight event Grand Street Dance Competition will happen on Feb. 29, while the Grand Float Parade usually participated in by celebrities is scheduled for March 1.
“We are doing this because we just want to be proactive about this. We are very much concerned with the health of our residents and visitors in the city,” the mayor said, adding that potential tourism losses are the least of his concerns at the moment.
Prior to the announcement, an online petition went viral on social media asking the local government unit to suspend some activities of the popular festival.
But Magalong clarified that their decision is based on a series of careful deliberations and was not influenced by the social media appeal.