Home | To bottom

Panagbenga rift widens

BAGUIO CITY (Dec. 3) — As the staging in February of the city’s largest crowd drawer Panagbenga Flower Festival draws near, the rift between two flower festival bodies widens with the launching today by the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc. (BFFFI). Earlier the Baguio Flower Festival Association (BFFA) had its own soft launching at the Mayor’s Office here.

Contrary to pronouncements by both BFFFI and BFFA personalities that they are willing to unite and work together for a better Panagbenga, the two launchings speak louder, creating more confusion even among members of the media.

In a separate press conference earlier today, Mayor Braulio Yaranon said he has extended his hand to the city council in a reconciliatory attitude when he formed the Ad Hoc Committee with Catholic Bishop Carlito Cenzon as chair. However, the mayor said his political opponents who are allegedly behind the BFFFI did not accept the offer and went on with separate initiatives for the flower fest.

The gap widens as Yaranon declared that the city would authorize only one Panagbenga and that while he is mayor, they will have to obtain necessary permits.

“Over my dead body, literally!” Yaranon quips.

Congress representative Mauricio Domogan said the Ad Hoc Committee is only a proposal, which, he said, the city council did not act on. He said the merging of the BFFI and the BFFA is not in consonance with the council resolution returning the lead role in the preparations of the flower fest to BFFFI, referring to Resolution 294 the city council passed on July 17. Yaranon vetoed said measure on Nov. 3.

Councilor Edilberto Tenefrancia, who was at the BFFFI Panagbenga launching, was disappointed that Yaranon condemns himself by his own words. He added that the council would not allow a dictator to rule the city.

Both camps invoke the rule of law in the staging of the Panagbenga next year. While the city council stands firm that the overriding resolution to the mayor’s veto makes Resolution 294 in full force, the city mayor said, the overriding resolution is not properly enacted because it failed to refute the grounds of the veto action.

Meanwhile, Department of Tourism Regional Director Pura Molintas said the Panagbenga made a difference in the tourism industry. She cited a report that indicated that before the flower festival, there were no arrivals in February. Only during the summer months that Baguio City receives tourists then, she added.

“Panagbenga is crucial in the economy of Baguio City and the whole Cordillera,” Molintas said. # Lyn V. Ramo for Nordis

Home | Back to top