BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan on Monday gave his blessings to the members of the Save 182 Movement to join the Baguio Flower Festival parade on Feb. 25 but cautioned the group to behave.

The group which is spearheading the petition against the cutting down or balling out of trees for the expansion project of a shopping mall chain here sought the mayor's permission to join the Panagbenga main event during its meeting last Monday where they sought the mayor's support and advice on the on-going battle to save the 182 trees to be affected by SM Baguio's expansion project.

"Of course, you may join the parade but I expect that you will conduct yourselves properly because if not, you might end up earning criticisms instead of gaining support for your cause," he cautioned the group led by Cordillera Ecological Center director Michael Bengwayan, artist Karlo Altomonte and lawyer Chris Donaal.

The mayor said he sees nothing wrong in allowing the group to join the parade "as long as they will comply with the rules set by the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFI) for the conduct of the parade."

"If they violate any of the rules, then they will not be allowed to join. It's as simple as that," the mayor told reporters during his Ugnayang Panlungsod press briefing.

He said he does not expect the group to tote placards and turn the parade into a lightning rally to advance their cause.

"I guess they know better than that because you see, what does rallying have to do with the Panagbenga festival?," the mayor said stressing the Panagbenga rules that parade participants must conform to the theme and spirit of the festival.

He said the foundation has in the past disallowed political figures from joining the parade to promote their candidacies or their political alliances and the same rule will apply to groups like the Save 182 Movement.

Asked on his lawyer-daughter Janice Marie's active involvement with the movement, the mayor said he respects his daughter's convictions as she also respects his father's principles and position.

"We do debate on issues but we make it a point to be open and to listen and consider each other's opinions," the mayor said