The local government of Baguio announced on Friday that the Opening Parade of the Panagbenga Festival 2020, initially scheduled tomorrow, February 01, 2020, is cancelled.
The decision has been made, taking into consideration public health and safety amid the 2019 coronavirus outbreak.
It also said, “the scheduled Cordillera Regional Athletic Association (CARAA) Meet and other high-density population gathering activities scheduled in the next three weeks of February 2020 is also CANCELLED.”
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong announced during a press conference held today, January 31, 2020, at Baguio City Hall.
The mayor also said he would still see if the Panagbenga street and float parades on February 29 and March 1 would push through.
“The tourism revenues are the least of my concerns. My main priorities are the health of my constituents,” Magalong said.
“We don’t want to send the wrong message. Tourists are still welcome,” he said.
Also read: P75 environmental fee per tourist spot in Baguio pushed
Baguio Panagbenga Festival Opening Parade, big activities cancelled
The mayor also said the cancellation does not mean suspension of classes at the college level.
An online petition to cancel Panagbenga Festival 2020 launched on Thursday already gained 15,000 signatures on change.org.
“Life is much more precious than money. We, the people of Baguio, petitioned to cancel the celebration of Panagbenga 2020 to reduce at least or prevent the possibility of entering the Wuhan coronavirus to the said city,” the petition said.
“Please standby for further details. The general public is again reminded to take precautionary and proactive measures against the threat of novel coronavirus (2019-nCov),” said Civil Defense Cordillera on its Facebook post.