by Lore Doque
Baguio Blooms vendors idle for having no customers to entertain.
Baguio Blooms vendors complained about the location of the exposition at the Baguio Convention Center grounds due to the ongoing rehabilitation and the lack of customers it attracts.
According to the vendors, they are affected by the smokes and unpleasant smells from the construction site and they have no other choice but to endure the situation.
“Naapektuhan kami sa usok na galing sa construction sa convention. Tapos doon sa dulo yung amoy mabaho. Tapos minsan P1000 lang yung income namin. Minsan wala pang benta,” said Rhea Lyn Santos, one of the vendors.
There were 300 invitation letters that were given but only 82 stalls confirmed their participation. Some vendors have pulled out their stalls. According to Baguio Blooms Chair Mary Lou Galiste, only 62 stalls were left as of February 12.
“Sobrang boring kasi wala masyadong tao tsaka siyempre alam naman natin kapag business dapat nilagay man lang nila doon sa daan [na may exposition] para lang yung mga nagre-rent, mabawi naman nila yung pinang-rent kasi wala talagang tao. Luging lugi, as in,” said Eloisa Francisco, a stall owner in the Baguio Blooms.
Individuals arrive at the crowd less convention center today, February 12.
The vendors are also requesting to increase the publicity of the Baguio Blooms and to clear that the Panagbenga Festival was only postponed and not canceled.
“Nai-news na yung coronavirus and dahilan kaya na-cancel. Parang na misinterpret nila kaya dapat ibalita din nila na hindi siya nacancel, na postponed lang. Tsaka pwede rin ibalita sana na dito sa convention ang venue kasi yung ibang mga turista hindi nila alam na nandito kami, hindi nila alam kung saan yung convention, kung nasaan yung place kaya parang doon lang sila sa mga alam nila. Doon lang sila nag i-stay,” Francisco added.
Panagbenga Landscapers Association Incorporated President John Kimo said that the vendors were moved to the Baguio Convention Center to lessen the traffic and to ensure the safety of the people from the possible spread of the Covid-19 virus or the Novel coronavirus.
The patrons swarm at night but the vendors said there is still a huge difference from last year and this year’s number of customers.
Edited by Felisa Guzman
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