CRDRRMC advise LGU’s in the region to revisit, update their El Niño Local Action Plan   BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The city government has begun preparing for El Niño as the country braces for a prolonged dry spell which weather experts say has the potential to develop into a severe one dubbed as “Super El Niño.” As early as April 7, Mayor Benjamin Magalong had directed the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) under Engr. Charles Bryan Carame to begin preparations for the drought. Magalong issued the directive during the Management Committee meeting noting forecasts that the country may experience up to six months of drought conditions, with below-normal rainfall expected to start in June and potentially persist until December. He said there is a need for early planning and coordination to mitigate the impact of water shortages, especially on communities, industries and essential services. He also urged departments to implement water conservation measures and ensure that contingency plans are in place. Carame said they are now working closely with other city departments and national agencies to monitor developments and carry out preparedness measures to safeguard residents against the effects of the anticipated El Niño. (Aileen P. Refuerzo) Meanwhile, the Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) is advising local government units in the region to revisit and update their El Niño Local Action Plan. This, as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) officially raised its El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Alert and Warning System to “El Niño Alert” on April 22. It cited the high likelihood of its development in the coming month and possible persistence into early 2027, which may bring drier-than-usual conditions, including dry spells and droughts in some parts of the country. During the Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) meeting, Engr. Larry Esperanza of the Baguio Synoptic Station shared that conditions in the tropical Pacific remain neutral though with a 62 percent chance, El Niño is likely to emerge as early as June 2026 and may persist with an 83 percent chance through at least the end of 2026. Esperanza also reported that though the country is under the dry season, there is still a possibility of rains due to localized thunderstorms. PAGASA also forecasted around one or two tropical cyclones to develop or enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility for the month of May. The RDRRMC members looked into El Niño-related situational reports and preparedness measures from the different provincial and city local government units in the region through their local DRRM Councils and some preparedness/readiness updates from the council’s disaster response pillar chaired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. OCD-CAR Regional Director and RDRRMC Chairperson Albert Mogol, in his guidance, shared by OCD-CAR Operations Officer Stephanie Trinidad, advised LGUs to prepare for the possible impact of El Niño and to revisit and update their local action plans as earlier as possible. The OCD provided information on the National El Niño Action Plan Framework and guidance for the updating of the regional and local action plans. It reminded the importance of preparedness measures focusing on water, food, and energy security, as well as on health and public safety. (Aileen P. Refuerzo and JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)    

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Baguio City Council approved and adopted the local Economic Continuity and Resilience Plan sought by Mayor Benjamin Magalong to ensure uninterrupted access to essential goods and services, stabilize the local market against price shocks, and protect vulnerable sectors and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), during the regular session on April 20. This move is a response to ongoing global crises, particularly the fuel price hike resulting from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Magalong told the City Council that an economic downturn is being experienced amid national and global crises, warning that the situation may be worse than the COVID-19 pandemic. To strengthen the city’s resilience against a possible recession, Magalong said the plan will serve as a roadmap for economic activities over the next few years. “Before, our Gross Domestic Product at the national level was at the average of 6.0%. However, last year, the economy started experiencing a down trend. In the fourth quarter of 2025, our GDP already fell to 3.0%, with an average of 4.0% for 2025. For this year, it is expected that in the first quarter, our GDP will be below 2.0% due to weak consumer and government spending, with the downward trend expected to continue through the second and third quarters,” Magalong said. Magalong’s statement was consistent with the presentation of the City Budget Office on the city’s projected revenue for fiscal years 2026 to 2028. The city’s total income for FY 2026 is estimated at P3.5 billion, an increase from P2.6 billion in 2025, with local tax revenue and National Tax Allotment (NTA) having the biggest increase. However, total income is projected to decline to P3.3 billion in FY 2027 before slightly increasing to P3.4 billion in FY 2028. City Budget Officer Atty.Leticia Clemente said, this financial projection means the city will not be able to keep up with its growing needs while also cushioning the economic impact of the ongoing fuel and energy crisis. To remedy this, she said the executive offices are looking into the possibility of incorporating the resiliency and continuity plan into their respective budgets reviewing their projects/programs/activities (PPAs). Through collaboration among stakeholders in the tourism industry, the transport sector, MSMEs, civil society organizations, barangays, regional line agencies, and the city government’s department heads, this plan was created to ensure Baguio City’s economic stability and resilience amid emerging global challenges and disruptions. According to Arch. Donna Tabangin, head of the City Planning, Development, and Sustainability Office (CPDSO), Baguio City’s economy is highly service-driven, with services accounting for 71.7%. She said the continuity and resilience plan was formulated taking into account key economic drivers such as retail and trade, finance and business services, real estate, tourism and hospitality, and education and professional services. The plan aims to address the most probable and high-impact disruptions such as inflation and fuel price shocks, supply chain disruptions, power and water interruptions, tourism decline, financial crises, disasters, and pandemics. Under the plan, four priority levels are identified. Priority Level 1 receives first funding, first attention, and first protection. This level covers energy and water continuity programs such as solar and backup systems for critical facilities, load prioritization, barangay-level solar energy systems, rainwater conservation and recycling systems, emergency rationing protocols, and bulk water and alternative supply sources. Mobility/logistics (transport and fuel) and food supply stability are also under Priority Level 1. Programs under these areas include fuel prioritization, public transport subsidy, logistics system (delivery hubs), food price monitoring, rice distribution, local and regional food sourcing, and food assistance. Priority Level 2 covers MSMEs and employment, tourism, and digital infrastructure with programs such as MSME financing plus subsidies and incentives, emergency employment program or cash-for-work, skills training, digital payments, ISP redundancy, smart monitoring systems, domestic tourism campaigns, discounts for tourism enterprises and recovery activities, even-driven economy plus circular practices, and enhancement of the Baguio website VISITA. Financial stability and financing are classified under Priority Level 3 aimed at ensuring the local government remains financially capable of fulfilling its mandate. Programs under this level include revenue protection, cash flow forecasting, austerity measures, budget flexibility, expansion of local economic enterprises, public-private partnerships for projects, and the development of new income sources. Priority Level 4 focuses on building long-term resilience, with particular emphasis on the circular economy, waste-to-resource initiatives, renewable energy expansion, and urban agriculture and localization. The plan sets the following investment framework: Priority Level 1, P948.2 million; Priority Level 2, P58.1 million; Priority Level 3, P96.8 million; and Priority Level 4, P8.5 million, with a total average annual budget of P1.11 billion. Tabangin concluded that, if the plan is successfully implemented, the city will achieve stable employment and income, continuous business operations, stable prices and supply, strong LGU revenue base, sustained economic growth, and social and economic stability. (Jordan G. Habbiling)

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines  – Instead of the usual advice to do good or prove yourself, Mayor Benjamin Magalong asked student grantees to be watchdogs against corruption or any wrongdoing in their assigned areas. Magalong led the swearing-in of about 151 grantees of the 2026 Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) on April 13. “If you see or know of any illegal activity or transaction, do not hesitate to report it to me. My office is open to receive you,” he told the students during a simple induction program. According to Magalong, during the one-month tenure of the students in the city government, they can gain first-hand experience in the work systems of various departments. Based on this experience, they will be able to tell whether or not City Hall is worthy of its status as a model of quality service and good governance, he said. “Through you, we will know if we are worthy of our ISO 9001:2015 certificate and reputation for good governance. Above all, we also count on you to tell us whether or not there is corruption in our offices,” Magalong told the students. The city achieved its recertification to ISO 9001:2015 after passing a recent external audit conducted by third-party auditor SGS Philippines Inc. The auditing firm confirmed that the city’s processes and services continue to meet the standards of the Quality Management System (QMS) and maintain its dedication to quality service, which led to the awarding of the ISO certificate on April 13, 2026. The SPES grantees are the first of two batches of student workers to be employed in the city this year through the Public Employment Service Office of the City Mayor’s Office. The next batch of 149 students will begin their positions next month.