The Baguio City Council, through a resolution, has expressed grave concern over the physical injuries sustained by performers during the recent Panagbenga Festival at the Melvin Jones Grandstand and called on the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc. (BFFFI) to provide immediate medical assistance to affected dancers.
The City Council also urged BFFFI to implement mandatory reforms such as heat-stress testing of venues.
Authored by Councilor Jose Molintas and unanimously approved by the City Council, the resolution underscores the urgent need to ensure that all injured dancers receive full medical support including hospital treatment and follow-up care for burn injuries and heat-related conditions.
Concerned citizens took to social media to express concerns regarding the injuries sustained by some performers of the Street Dance Parade on February 28 caused by the artificial turf installed on the field of Melvin Jones Grandstand by BFFFI.
The resolution presses the BFFFI to implement concrete safety reforms for future editions of mandatory heat-stress testing of performance venues and the prioritization of natural grass or heat-dissipating surfaces, especially for cultural groups that perform barefoot as part of tradition.
Molintas emphasized that while the festival remains a symbol of pride and unity for Baguio City, cultural celebration “must never come at the expense of the performers’ health and dignity.
The councilor stressed that accountability and preventive measures are essential to ensure that similar incidents will not happen again at the Melvin Jones Grandstand or in any other festival venue.
On March 2, 2026, BFFI Executive Chairperson Anthony de Leon, in a public statement issued on March 2 2026, acknowledged the concerns raised by citizens and apologized to the students, who “experienced pain, injury, and distress.”
“As everyone knows, the previous years where the participants for the Grand Street Parade was at the Melvin Jones Football Field under dust, rocks, and hot sand. The intention was to improve the performance area. The result however, caused harm and fell short of the care, judgment, and cultural sensitivity required of us as organizers,” De Leon stated.
“I take full responsibility,” he added.
De Leon said they are now undertaking measures such as coordinating with schools and contingent leaders to document the incident and extend necessary assistance; conducting an immediate review of the decision, safety assessment, and implementation; and holding stakeholder consultation with schools, cultural practitioners, and concerned sectors before any similar measures are adopted in future festivals. **Jordan G. Habbiling
