BY: VANESSA BUGTONG
Residents and city officials expressed disappointment over the heaps of trash left in the wake of the Panagbenga Festival, with photos of the mess going viral on social media.
The images, taken at the Rose Garden in Burnham Park, showed piles of garbage dumped near benches and pathways, with trash bins overflowing.
Faith Chaguna, a student, was among those who voiced their frustration. “It no longer feels like Baguio,” she said. “People are throwing their trash anywhere.”
The City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) also expressed concern over the irresponsible disposal of waste.
Eugene Buyucan, head of the General Services Office (GSO), noted a significant increase in garbage volume during the festival. “There was a higher volume of trash than usual,” he said.
Despite complaints, some Panagbenga Market Encounter staff insisted they had trash bins available, and the waste was regularly collected.
“We pull out the garbage every day,” said Edison Dongpaen, a market marshal. “It just so happened that someone took photos right after the major events.”
Mayor Benjamin Magalong acknowledged the need for better waste management planning, while CEPMO admitted that the number of trash bins in the area was insufficient.
However, they assured the public that they were doing their best to collect and dispose of the waste, especially during peak tourist days.
Despite heavy traffic over the weekend, the GSO managed to collect and dispose of around 220 tons of garbage, significantly higher than the usual 180 tons on regular days.
On March 3, several students volunteered to help clean the park, reinforcing the city’s efforts to maintain cleanliness.
