Float makers in Baguio City are racing to finish floral masterpieces as the Panagbenga Festival parade draws near, while police roll out a strict traffic plan to manage the expected surge of visitors this weekend.

Romy Chua, a veteran float maker, said preparation starts months before February 2026 to ensure smooth construction.

“Welding works, carpentry, tapos mainly ‘yung structural. Tapos you leave seven days para sa floral foams,” Chua said.

Some groups faced challenges in sourcing flowers that match their theme. Many of the blooms come from Benguet and Baguio City, where demand has pushed prices higher.

“We're still sourcing some of the flowers at the moment, but as you can see, marami naman kaming stock ngayon which is ‘yun ‘yung inaayos sa float,” project coordinator Audreea Infante said.

Organizers said they are putting final touches on the entries days before the competition.

“We're very ready. In fact, we're very excited. More or less fine-tuning na lang ‘yan, minor details na lang ‘yung ating pag-uusapan diyan. But sa guest of honor, performers, line up ng parade, solid ‘yan,” Andrew Pinero, committee chairman of the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc., said.

Meanwhile, the Baguio City Police Office announced road closures and rerouting from February 28 to March 1.

Roads that will close include South Drive at Panagbenga Park, the entire stretch of Session Road (Upper and Lower), Harrison Road, Jose Abad Santos Drive, and Lake Drive to Melvin Jones.

Alternative routes include Marcos Highway–Suello Junction, Pacdal Circle, Kennon–Loakan Junction, Naguilian Road, and the Slaughter control point.

Police will deploy drone cameras to monitor traffic and will strictly enforce emergency lanes.

“Yan po ang naging isang problema natin because some people are occupying the emergency lane. So this time talaga, we doubled ‘yung deployment natin because we have to make sure that emergency lane will remain as emergency lane,” PCOL Ruel Tagel, director of the Baguio City Police Office, said.

Some schools will open their campuses as parking areas to help ease congestion in the city.

Manny Vallejo, a motorist, said road closures have affected regular travel plans.

“Nanibago kasi dapat mamasyal diyan sa may Burnham Park kaso sarado. Pagka may lumabas parang palit-palitan lang mga sasakyan,” he said.

Authorities advised the public to plan their trips carefully and expect heavy traffic during the festival weekend.