Baguio suspends classes on Feb. 3 for 2024 Panagbenga Festival

The Baguio City government has declared the suspension of classes in all levels on February 3 for the 2024 Panagbenga Festival Grand Parade.

In an advisory, Baguio City public information office said under Executive Order No. 09, series of 2024, classes in both public and private schools will be suspended on the said date.

According to the local government, the opening parade of the Panagbenga Festival was moved to February 3, the closest Saturday to February 1, to “lessen the suspension of classes and maximize the presence of visitors to witness the performance of the participating schools.”

“[Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc. (BFFFI) president and trustee Frederico Alquiros] claimed that the re-scheduling of the day of the festival’s grand opening parade to a Saturday will allow student participants to be able to concentrate in their classes during week days without undue interruption and for them to be able to concentrate on their performances during the parade that will serve as a prelude to the conduct of the grand street dance and grand floral parades which are the two major highlights of the festival,” the statement read.

The 2024 festival will run from Feb. 1 to March 3, 2024 with the theme “Celebrating Traditions, Embracing Innovation.”

The activities for the year include a garden exhibit at the Burnham Park, a month-long flora and flavor fair, several dance competitions and multiple school-based and family-based competitions.

Other important activities will also be held on the following dates:

• ·      Opening Ceremony and Parade: February 3
• ·      Annual Spring Festival: February 10
• ·      Floral Parade at Burnham Lake: February 18
• ·      Grand Streetdance Parade: February 24
• ·      Grand Float Parade: February 25
• ·      Panagbenga Sponsors Exhibit and major flower festival parades: Feb. 24 to Feb. 25
• ·      Session Road in Bloom (Main road will be converted into a promenade area): Feb. 26 to Mar. 3
• ·      Panagbenga Flower Tree Golf Classic: Mar. 1 to Mar. 2
• ·      Closing Program, Award Ceremony, Floral Cadence, Panagbenga Fireworks Display: March 3

Meanwhile, Baguio City Police said that police personnel will be deployed and in several key areas of the city during the duration of the festival,

"We want everyone to immerse themselves in the festivities without a single concern for their safety. You'll see our officers everywhere, ready to assist, ensuring that Panagbenga 2024 is not just an event but an unforgettable experience for everyone," Baguio City Police Office director Police Colonel Francisco Bulwayan Jr. said.—Jiselle Anne Casucian/AOL, GMA Integrated News