Just like the mythical Phoenix that rose majestically from the ashes of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world-famous Panagbenga will regale residents and visitors once more in February 2023 after a two-year hiatus. Traffic jams be damned.
With the theme, “A renaissance of wonder and beauty”, city officials headed by Mayor Benjie Magalong and Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc. officers led the festival’s launching during flag raising rites, Dec. 12, at the City Hall grounds, highlighted by dancers wearing Mountain Province native attire.
May this festival once again showcase the best that Baguio and the rest of the Cordillera region can offer. May it also continue to unite us as a people in this former land of my Ibaloy ancestors and now a wonderful melting pot of various tribes and cultures that we call home – Kafagway, Bag-iw, Baguio. Yeeehaaa!!!
In support of Baguio’s low carbon transport initiatives, the city government represented by the mayor recently signed a memorandum of agreement with Saint Louis University, University of Baguio and University of the Cordilleras, represented by their presidents, and Department of Transportation represented by Sec. Jaime Bautista.
The MOA governs the partnership between the city government and the three universities as well as the assistance to be provided by the DOTr to the initiatives.
It aims to achieve the following objectives: To facilitate the conduct of research and innovations towards the development and implementation of low-carbon and alternative transportation networks in support of resilient and sustainable communities.
The agreement also seeks to provide relevant research-based guidance for the development of local policies and guidelines on low-carbon and alternative transportation networks and related concerns on climate change.
Under the MOA, the city government agrees to facilitate the issuance of an ordinance on research and innovation for Baguio to support its innovation camp, research forum, financial support for research and innovation promotion, and support to innovation centers and research incubators, among others.
The universities agrees to support the city’s research and innovation endeavors for safe, resilient and sustainable cities but not limited to the development of low carbon transport system; assist in the validation and testing of low carbon vehicles; and more.
Meanwhile, the DOTr agrees to coordinate with the other parties on the results of research and innovation projects for possible action and as a basis for adoption to national level policies, programs, and projects; and more.
