CAMP DANGWA, Benguet -- Brig. General Mafelino Bazar, regional director of the Police Regional Office-Cordillera, has ordered the deployment of 1,588 cops to ensure safety and security in the forthcoming celebration of the Panagbenga 2023 or the Baguio Flower Festival 2023.
Bazar said the Baguio City Police Office personnel will be strategically deployed to increase police presence in bus terminals, malls, parks, markets, and other places of convergence.
He also alerted the Benguet Police Provincial Office of the expected spillover of tourists who will be visiting tourist destinations in the nearby towns in Benguet.
Bazar also instructed them to make the necessary coordination with their respective Local Government Units in providing traffic management assistance.
"Let's prepare for it because there are many visitors coming. We will help in traffic management and in ensuring the security of our countrymen," Bazar said.
The upcoming schedule of activities in the much-awaited Panagbenga 2023 includes the Grand Opening Parade on Feb. 1; Grand Street Dance & Float Parades on Feb. 25 & Feb. 26; Session Road in Bloom from Feb. 27 to March 5 while the awarding & closing ceremonies and the Grand Aerial Fireworks Display will be on March 5.
BGen. Bazar also reminded the public to be mindful of their personal belongings and to call for police assistance as the need arises.
"Although we will deploy many policemen, we will continue to remind our citizens to be responsible with their personal equipment. I also ordered our patrollers to continue giving out calling cards so that our compatriots can call if they need help," Bazar added.