Baguio city: No private drones will be allowed during the twin grand parades of the Panagbenga Festival street-dancing and float parades scheduled for February 28 and March 1. In an advisory issued on Thursday, Evangeline Payno, chief of staff of the Executive Committee of the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc., clarified that only the foundation, the Baguio City Police, and the Philippine Military Academy will be permitted to use drones during these events.
According to Philippines News Agency, Executive Committee chairman Anthony De Leon stated that only drones with permits from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) will be allowed. He emphasized that drone usage for the event must first receive approval from the city police. The prohibition aims to ensure public safety by confirming that drones are in good condition and operated by licensed individuals. "We cannot afford any drone falling from the sky and hitting any person. We are expecting thousands of people on the streets, and a simple mistake of crashing drones will cause major injury and damage," De Leon explained.
CAAP guidelines on drone usage prohibit their operation over people, populated areas, or public events, mandating a distance of at least 30 meters from any individual not involved in the operation. In addition, Maj. Marcy Grace Marron, Baguio City Police information officer, noted that their drone will be linked to the Baguio City Command Center as an added security measure for the event.
To ensure the safety and security of the festival, approximately 1,529 police personnel in uniform and plain clothes will be deployed. Additionally, over 200 force multipliers from the city government, public order and safety division, emergency medical service, city disaster risk reduction and management office, and health services office will also be on duty. Marron further mentioned that around 606 criminology student-interns will assist in maintaining peace and order during the parades.
She also encouraged the public to use the city police's ViewBaguio online application to access updated information about traffic, road conditions, and other relevant details during the parades.
