Written by Wayne Y. Bagaoisan, Voughn Liam D. Laruan, Dainielle Jazz P. Nunag, Felipe N. Villanueva | Photographed by: Alseiah Haluber
Marking its 30th milestone this year, the Panagbenga Festival stands as the most celebrated event in Baguio. On February 28, 2026, the University of Baguio School of Criminal Justice and Public Safety CL Maharagsik Interns, numbering 235 in total, actively provided crowd-control support during the Panagbenga 2026 Grand Street Parade. Their involvement, together with multiple Philippine National Police agencies, helped maintain order and public safety throughout the celebration, ensuring that the performances of the contingents and participants, with vibrant and artistic music and costumes, flowed smoothly along the streets of Baguio City.
Launched in the aftermath of the 1990 Luzon earthquake, the festival symbolizes the city’s recovery and resurgence. What began as a tribute to resilience has evolved into a month-long celebration every February, highlighted by grand floral float parades, lively street dances by Cordilleran culture, and vibrant community performances.
The festival featured competing schools from primary education up to tertiary education, showcasing their drum and lyre and dance festival routines that reflected the traditions and local identity of their municipality. The performances brought energy and excitement to the streets, as the audience grew larger with the number for the entrance of people entering the Grand floral floats compared to the earlier Opening parade and Street dance parade events. Each floral float carried known personalities from Philippine television that brought a spark to thousands of spectators watching through live television and along the proper road.
Through the dedication and discipline embodied by the core values of the School of Criminal Justice and Public Safety, the interns helped in upholding the lively and culturally rich atmosphere of the 30th Panagbenga Festival. The UB-SCJPS CL Maharagsik interns’ active support for crowd control ensured safety and proper event implementation. The initiative aligns with the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, by contributing to a safe and secure management by preventing potential risks through management of crowd flow, preventing congestion, and assisting in maintaining emergency access routes.
- SDG 4: Quality Education, by performing crowd control duties this enhances the competencies of the interns on leadership, communication, risk assessment, and public safety management.
- SDG 5: Gender Equality, by managing large and diverse crowds, the interns ensured a respectful, fair, and unbiased treatment among all attendees reinforcing inclusivity.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, by helping in maintaining public order in a high-volume urban event which supported a resilient, safe, and culturally vibrant celebration.
