BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio City Police Office reported that a total of 245,000 people watched the two highlights celebrations of the 30th Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City

During the Kapihan sa Panagbenga on March 4, City Director Ruel Tagel said that during the grand street dancing parade, an estimated 45,000 people watched, while the grand float parade was attended by about 200,000 people.

According to Tagel, a total of 12 drones were flown by the police during the parade and to monitor the crowd, along with estimates of the policemen who served as crowd control along the parade route along Session and Harrison Road.

“For every police officer deployed as crowd control, they would count the people in front of them, so we added it up and that became the basis for the number of spectators.”

Tagel also reported that a total of 2,000 police officers served as crowd control, which resulted in a peaceful, orderly performance since the opening and grand parade.

He attributed this success to comprehensive safety, security, and incident planning, a series of coordination meetings, simulation exercises, and thorough walkthroughs conducted prior to the events.

These efforts were carried out through the strategic deployment of personnel through the BCPO’s Three-Layered Containment Ring, IMPLAN KaLMang Paglak, OPLAN D.R.I.V.E. and the use of drone technology for smart surveillance and safety.

Tagel added that the peaceful celebration was carried out with the support and cooperation of local government units, other law enforcement agencies, event organizers, emergency response teams, volunteers, and media partners to ensure a peaceful, orderly, and united coverage of the celebrations. (By Zaldy Comanda)