“Maging aware po tayo… dito kasi pag nahuli kayo at na-ticketan, hindi po valid yung reason na ‘Ay, turista po kami.’ ” - Baguio police to tourists coming for Panagbenga

Baguio City, Philippines – With preparations for the 30th edition of the Flower Festival underway, the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) reminds tourists planning to visit the country’s Summer Capital to act as if they are visiting another country—know the norms, rules, and regulations, and strictly abide by them.

“A gentle appeal or reminder po sa ating mga tourists who will be coming to Baguio this Panagbenga: ‘yung attitude po sana na dadalhin natin is ‘yung behavior natin pag pumupunta tayo abroad,” said PLTCOL James Allen Dogao, Chief of BCPO’s Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU), during the press conference following the festival’s launching last week.

He added that tourists must research the existing ordinances, which are available on various platforms such as the BCPO ViewBaguio App and the city’s Public Information Office. Visitors are expected to know the local rules, as breaking them will result in consequences.

“Maging aware po sana tayo dito kasi ‘pag nahuli po kayo at na-ticketan, hindi po valid ‘yung reason na ‘Ay, turista po kami.’ Hindi po iyon valid,” Dogao reiterated.

The TEU chief further called on spectators and locals alike to follow directional signage that will soon be put up, especially during major celebrations—the Grand Opening Parade on February 1, the Street Dance Parade on February 28, and the Float Parade on March 1. Alternative routes will also be posted.

Dogao assured that BCPO will coordinate with concerned agencies, including the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the City Engineering Office, among others, to ensure safe and smooth traffic flow during the festivities.

As earlier stated by Mayor Benjamin Magalong, the city will implement the three-layered security and safety scheme anew, noting the strategy’s positive results during last year’s celebrations.

“This time, there might be some revisions as well. Unang-una, with the new acquisition of drones ng BCPO, we will be deploying drones that will be linked with our command center so multiple drones will be deployed. Second is we might request again for additional or more personnel because we expect na tataas yung number of visitors coming here because we got a lot of good reviews, excellent reviews, especially during the float parade,” said the mayor.

As part of the preparations, the city police, along with Baguio Flower Festival Incorporated and concerned line agencies, conducted a “walkthrough” of key activity areas on Tuesday, January 20, to assess and inspect the routes and venues.