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Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Tourism backs foundation-led flowerfest
By Rimaliza Opiña
THE Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Office has formally announced its support to the Panagbenga Flower Festival Foundation.
Speaking before the participants in the Wow Philippines Gran Cordillera, DOT Regional Director Purificacion Molintas said the DOT-Cordillera has decided to "take on a more active role" in the promotion of the foundation-led 2006 Panagbenga Flower Festival.
Molintas's announcement came an appeal for political leaders of Baguio to patch things up and "heal the wounds" brought about by the exchange of words by some city officials.
Mayor Braulio Yaranon recently accused the DOT-Cordillera of committing "treason" when it supported the staging of the Adivay, the festival that showcased the products of the 13 towns of Benguet the same two weeks that the highlights of the 10th Panagbenga last February were held.
Earlier, the tourism department took a neutral stance as regards the ongoing "war" over the management of the 2006 Panagbenga, saying there should only be one Panagbenga.
But Molintas said her office received a directive from the DOT central office asking them to help promote the Panagbenga that is led by its founder Damaso Bangaoet Jr.
The DOT Central Office, Molintas said, is already aware of the ongoing strife and ranking officials there are anxious not over reports of two flower festivals but on the possibility there would be no Panagbenga at all next year.
"They are alarmed over what was published in the papers," she said, adding that the DOT is merely ensuring that the event would push through because the Panagbenga is considered as the region's representative festival.
"The DOT has identified the region as one of the 10 key destinations in the country. Baguio City cannot be left hanging," she stressed, saying their taking on an active role does not mean that the DOT is partial to one group.
(December 7, 2005 issue)
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