BAGUIO Flower Festival executive committee chairman Councilor Elmer Datuin said registration for the trade fair, Burnham Blooms, is ongoing, with 220 stalls up for grabs.
“Ongoing lahat preparation. Ang Baguio Blooms sa tourism office sa Burnham ang registration ngayon (Preparation is ongoing. The registration will be at the tourism office in Burnham),” said Datuin.
Datuin said official receipts to be used will be those of the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFFI) and not the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio, adding there will only be 220 stalls this year compared to the 300 stalls last year due to considerations on aesthetics.
Mayor Mauricio Domogan, in an administrative order, mandated that “all payments for booths, special permits and related fees at the Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition, as well as the Session Road in Bloom activities shall be paid by interested persons, natural and juridical, at the City Treasurer's Office. The city treasurer shall assign a space at the One-Stop-Shop Center, for the BFFI staff and the personnel of the City Treasurer to utilize from January 2 to February 15 to collect the said fees.”
“Special permits and garbage fees shall be collected and receipted by the official receipts of the City while payments for the lease rental of the vending spaces shall be collected and received by the official receipts of the BFFI which will be utilized for the operational expenses of the festival,” administrative order stated.
Datuin, meanwhile, said meetings are also ongoing to level up prizes for the grand float parade and street dancing contests, and subsidy to participants will be doubled.
“We are looking to a bigger budget for Panabenga this year,” Datuin said.
The Baguio Flower Festival 2018, themed “Celebration of Culture and Creativity,” will be attune with the recent distinction of the Pine City as a testament to the continuing fusion and creativity the festival holds.
This year’s festival aims to put a higher premium on prizes for the float and street dancing parades to encourage more participants.
Panagbenga is an annual flower festival celebrated every February. The term “Panagbenga” comes from a Kankanaey term meaning “season of
blooming.” This festival reflects the history, traditions and values of Baguio and the Cordilleras. It lasts over a month long and flourishes through community spirit involvement.