BAGUIO CITY – Hinatulan ng parusang “reclusion perpetua” o’ pagkakabilango hanggang 40 taon, ang tatlong kadete ng Philippine Military Academy, matapos napatunayang ‘guilty’ sa pagkamatay ni Cadet na si Darwin Dormitorio, noong Setyembre 2019. Sa 42-pahinang desisyon ni Presiding Judge Ligaya Itliong-Rivera, ng Branch 5, Regional Trial Court,Baguio City,noong Agosto 16, hinatulang guilty sina 3rd Class Shalimar Imperial Jr., Julius Tadena at Felix Lumbag Jr. Sinabi ni Judge Itliong Rivera na sina Lumbag at Imperial na pangunahing suspek ay guilty “beyond reasonable doubt” sa paglabag sa Sec. 3 na may kaugnayan sa Sec 14(a) ng Republic Act No. 11053 at sinentensiyahan ng reclusion perpetua at magbayad ng multang P3 milyon bawat isa. Ang dalawa ay napatunayang guilty din sa pagpatay at hinatulan ng reclusion perpetua. Babayaran din nila ang mga tagapagmana ng Dormitorio ng P75,000 indemnity, isa pang P75,000 bilang moral damages, at P25,000 bilang temporal damages Hinihiling din sa kanila na magbayad ng P100,000 para sa mga bayad sa abogado. Si Tadena ay napatunayang nagkasala ng paglabag sa Sec 3 kaugnay sa Sec 14 (b) ng RA 11053 at paghihirap ng reclusion perpetua at hiniling na magbayad ng P2 milyon. Sa kaparehong desisyon ng MTC, pinawalang sala sina dating PMA Station Hospital chief Lt. Col. Ceasar Candelaria at medical officers Capt. Flor Apple Apostol at Maj. Maria Ofelia Beloy sa kasong reckless imprudence resulting in homicide. Si Dormitorio ay miyembro ng PMA Madasigon Class of 2023 na nagtapos sana noong nakaraang taon. By Zaldy Comanda

As part of their efforts to inspire the youth to become catalysts for change, SM Cares and Global Peace Foundation (GPF) recently completed the Baguio leg of the 2024 Global Youth Summit (GYS) last August 03, 2024 at SM City Baguio, one of the host cities for this year’s 17-leg event aimed at representing all 17 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The GYS is an annual event that provides the youth with an avenue where they can share their ideas and work together to create long-term and sustainable solutions to the most pressing problems and challenges affecting them today. For the Baguio leg, GYS focused on SDG 1: No Poverty, which aims to promote for the end of poverty in all forms. A total of 763 students and youth leaders joined the Baguio leg of GYS to participate in a daylong event filled with numerous activities, seminars, and workshops revolving around SDG 1. Several experts and key opinion leaders who are knowledgeable on topics related to SDG 1 joined the Baguio leg as speakers: Mr. Ingil Ra, Regional President of Global Peace Foundation Asia Pacific, talked about SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals; Ms. Lucia B. Ruiz, University of the Philippines Professor and one of the Baguio Outstanding Women Leader of Baguio City for Indigenous People’s Education, talked about SDG 1: No Poverty, which focused on Innovative Community-Led Approaches to Indigenous Poverty Reduction; Engr. Basilio C. Munar Jr., Quality Control/Assurance Chief Water Quality Laboratory and Treatment, talked about SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, Community Health and Sanitation Access in Baguio; and Ms. Shanerisse Tamondong, National Youth Coordinator for the Philippines Scaling Up Nutrition Civil Society Network, talked about SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. In his speech, Mr. Royston Cabunag, SM Cares Program Director shared, “By working together,we can make a positive impact. We can make a brighter and sustainable work together. Youth can do it!” The GYS is one of SM Cares’ numerous Programs on Children and Youth, supporting all 17 UN SDGs. Others include The Book Nook, a free library and community hub where parents and children can bond over books, workshops and activities; and supporting UNICEF’s Programs for Education of Children. Aside from its Programs on Children and Youth, SM Cares also has programs on the environment, women and breastfeeding mothers, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.  

The Baguio Tourism Council (BTC) has thrown its full support behind the city’s ongoing battle against dengue, underscoring the urgent need for community action as dengue cases continue to rise during the rainy season. BTC Chairperson Gladys Vergara called on all residents to join the fight against dengue by taking proactive measures in their homes and neighborhoods. “We all have a role to play in reducing dengue cases,” Vergara stated, highlighting the recent surge in mosquito-borne diseases. “The war against dengue begins at home, and it’s crucial that we strengthen our health and sanitation practices where we live.” Vergara emphasized the importance of eliminating stagnant water, which serves as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. “Now is the time to adopt whole-health habits at home, ensuring that we eliminate all potential mosquito-breeding sites. Dengue is a preventable disease, and by taking action within our homes, we can effectively combat this serious health threat.” The BTC has recently launched a series of aggressive strategies aimed at assisting barangays in identifying and eradicating mosquito-breeding areas in every household. The council’s initiatives are part of a broader effort to reduce the spread of dengue across the city. Vergara also raised concerns over the alarming statistics, noting that nearly 3,000 dengue cases have been recorded since January this year. “While we do not wish to incite unnecessary alarm, these figures are a clear call to action. By increasing vigilance and taking preventive measures at home, we can significantly reduce the number of cases and protect our communities from this potentially deadly disease.”