BAGUIO CITY — City Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. last week issued two Administrative Orders for the use of certain roads and parks for activities of the Baguio Flower Festival 2009.

In Administrative Order 9, Athletic Bowl, Melvin Jones Field and Grandstand shall be used for the opening parade and ceremonies on Feb. 1; Burnham Park and the lake shall be used for the “Promenade at the Lake,” Fluvial Parade on Feb. 14; Melvin Jones, for the “Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom,” activity on Feb. 22; and the Athletic Bowl for the Grand Street Parade and Ceremonies on Feb. 28.

On March 1 up to March 3, the Athletic Bowl shall be used for the floats on parade and display afterwards; on March 7, Pony Boys take charge of the Melvin Jones Field and Grandstand with games on horseback, dubbed as “Gymkhana;” while the whole of Athletic Bowl and the Grandstand is reserved for the closing ceremonies and electric light parade on March 8.

Administrative Order 10 cited the Local Government Code as basis for the closure of some city streets for the celebration of Panagbenga 2009.

On Feb. 1, 5:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M., roads from the Military Cut-off rotunda to Lower Session road, Session road and Harrison road shall be closed for the opening parade, while from the first of February until March 8, Lake Drive road shall be closed for the Market Encounter and Landscaping Contest.

On Feb. 23 to 25, Legarda road from Baguio Palace Hotel to Giligan’s shall be closed for Legarda rocks, while on Feb. 26 to Feb. 28 from 5:00 P.M. To 12 Midnight, the road fronting Abanao Square is closed for Abanao Nights.

On Feb. 28, from 5:00 A.M. To 1:00 P.M., Military Cut-off rotunda to lower Session road, Session road, Magsaysay Avenue, Harrison road is closed for the grand street parade; on March 1, the same route is closed for the float parade.

On March 1, at 12 P.M. up to March 8 at 12 Midnight, Session road (from SM rotunda to Mercury Drug at People’s Park) and other roads intersecting Session shall be closed for the Session road in Bloom.

On March 8, from 5:00 P.M. To 8:00 P.M., Harrison road from the intersetion of Veniz Hotel to the junction of Baguio Patriotic School shall be closed for the closing ceremonies and electric light parade.

Furthermore, the AO states that Victory Liner buses shall load and unload their passengers at the Baguio Convention Center to ensure the unobstructed use of Upper Session as assembly point of passengers for the different activities.

Signs and markers are expected to direct the riding public along the routes, while the Traffic Management Branch of the Baguio City Police Office is expected to come up with appropriate rerouting schemes and safety measures for changes in the schedule for the early information of the public. # Julie G. Fianza/PIO-Baguio