By Rose Frejane Cruz   BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio Filipino-Chinese community and the city government launched activities for the Spring Festival 2026 celebration under the Year of the Fire Horse at the city hall ground, Baguio City, on February 9. “This year’s celebration is more colorful and fun with the help of the good relationship between the city and the Filipino-Chinese community, to show good relations towards unity for the development of the city,” said Peter Ng, chairman of the Spring Festival 2026 celebration. The Spring Festival was first launched in Baguio City in 1998 and because the celebration was seen to have a great impact on the enjoyment of the masses, even on tourism, it was immediately established in 1999 by virtue of an ordinance, where the Chinese in the city had more unity to support the projects and programs of the city government, towards the growth of tourism and the economy. The exciting and joyful Grand Colorful Parade will be held on February 18 at 3:00 p.m., with classes suspended for the day to allow students to watch and in recognition of the great contributions of Filipino-Chinese to the city, followed by the Dinner Awards Night in the evening to be held at the Hotel Supreme Mall and Event Center. According to Ng, in the 28 years of the celebration, their activities have remained traditional community outreach activities, such as the Gift Giving to about 200 indigent families of Barangay Middle Quirino Hill, which was set by the Office of City Social Welfare and Development on February 13. “As we do to recognize the great contributions of journalists in publishing our programs, we have prepared a media fellowship night on February 10,” Ng said. The popular Spring Festival and Little Chinatown showcases at Session Road, with activities taking place on February 13 and February 22, with the Chinese New Year Fun Run to be launched in the morning. Mayor Benjamin Magalong also highly commended the Chinoy group for their unwavering support to the city, which has strengthened unity, brotherhood and cooperation in the development of Baguio for generations. “Today, as we launch the 2026 Spring Festival, where not only welcoming a lunar yeay,we are celebrating a tradition that has become a part of Baguio’s cultural identity. Your contributions have helped build Baguio into a vibrant,diverse and robust community that we are proud of today.”      

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Mayor Benjamin Magalong has issued fresh reminders for tourists and visitors to the city to be vigilant in their accommodation bookings to avoid becoming victims of scams and illegal transient businesses. Magalong made the call as the city prepares to roll out crowd-drawing events for the Panagbenga Festival this February. “Let’s be cautious so as not to fall prey to these people who take advantage of our festival to advance their unscrupulous deed,” the mayor said. He said scammers usually use fake social media pages and accounts pretending to be the owners or representatives of legitimate accommodation establishments. To make sure of legitimate transactions, visitors were urged to transact only with accommodation establishments listed on the city’s officials tourist assistance website, the VISITA website at htttp://visita.baguio.gov.ph/. To verify legitimacy of the transactions, people are also advised to call the Permits and Licensing Division at 619-3184 to confirm the names of registered owner/s and their contact numbers. Fake accounts may be reported to the official Facebook page of the Baguio City Anti-Cyber Crime Unit or call 09088997228. The City Tourism Office also listed warning signs that the service is fraudulent: *Too good to be true packages.  All-in packages that are unrealistically cheap may not be actually real! *No business permit and no official receipt.  Always ask for copies of business permits and receipts that can be verifiable; *No official public website or social media page.  Legit businesses will promote their services on public and well-recognized online platforms, usually with customer reviews and ratings; *Social media account was just recently created.  Not necessarily all new websites or accounts are illegal, but scammers have the propensity for deleting old accounts and then will create new accounts, using different names every time; *Showing IDs that are not government-issued.  Many IDs can just be fabricated and therefore may be fake, better ask for government-issued IDs since they are more verifiable. *Declared address is non-existent.  To verify the address, please call 074-4462009. – Aileen P. Refuerzo    

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The city government is trying to resolve some two hundred cases of multiple claimants over the stalls being rented out in the different sections of the Maharlika Livelihood Center to conform with the city’s policy of one person, one stall. Assistant City Treasurer Fernando Ragma, Jr., a member of the Maharlika Livelihood Center Transition Committee’s technical working group, said that some 53 cases of multiple claimants covering some stalls in the newly acquired property are set to be resolved within the month. He claimed that the city government aims to settle the multiple disputes over some of the stalls in the different sections of Maharlika so that the actual number of stallholders could be determined and to put an end to the rampant sub-leasing of stalls in the income-generating asset. Earlier, some 960 lessees had been identified when the Maharlika was under the State-owned Human Settlements Development Corporation (HSDC) of the agriculture department but based on the inventory conducted by the city government, there were only more than 600 lessees. Ragma pointed out that the discrepancy in the number of lessees is a product of the multiple claimants of some of the stalls aside from the fact that there are big stalls that were subdivided into several spaces and eventually sub-leased to interested individuals. The assistant city treasurer added that Maharlika is covered by the city’s market code that is why some of its provisions are applicable to the stalls in Maharlika where sub-leasing is strictly prohibited. He advised tenants to await the decision of the transition committee relative to the stalls they are occupying or conducting business because the collegial body will still resolve the pending disputes over some of the stalls but what is important is that status quo still prevails in the property until such time that the appropriate notices shall have been issued to them. He explained that the city government is trying to resolve the pending disputes over the stalls the soonest and that any decision it makes will be based on who among the claimants will be able to show concrete proof of actual occupancy and the payment of the lease rentals due to the government. Maharlika building structurally stable says expert The City Budget Office said that the Maharlika building is generally structurally stable based on the structural integrity test conducted by experts commissioned by the city government for such purpose. City Budget officer lawyer Leticia O. Clemente said that the positive result of the structural integrity test conducted in the Maharlika building is an assurance that the structure is still safe for occupancy by the tenants and the people frequenting the area for their business. However, she claimed that there is a need for the city government to first retrofit the foundations of the structure if the city decides to put up additional floors to accommodate more tenants which was also part of the recommendations presented by the structural experts that conducted the integrity test on the building. The city budget officer added that any improvement to the Maharlika building must pass through the scrutiny of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) as the building has been declared as a heritage structure, having been existing for 50 years. According to Clemente, what the city government could do at the moment is work on the rehabilitation of the burned basement and the initial facelift earlier identified while trying to source out more funds to fully renovate the structure while maintaining its façade. Further, she noted that the relocation of stalls identified by the Bureau of Fire Protection as obstructions along hallways and the lobby were the ones that were provided relocation spaces at the upper floors of the structure to allow them to pursue their business operations. Clemente chairs the Maharlika Livelihood Center transition Committee which is tasked to facilitate the smooth transition of the administration and management of the Maharlika building from the State-owned Human Settlements Development Corporation to the city government following the lapse of the 50-year lease contract. City earmarks P10-M for Maharlika market feasibility study The city government earmarked around PhP10 million for the conduct of a feasibility study that to inform the crafting of a master development and conservation plan for the Maharlika Livelihood Center and the city public market that will serve as a blueprint for any future developments to be undertaken in these facilities. City Budget Officer lawyer Leticia O. Clemente, who also chairs the Maharlika Transition Committee (MTC), said that the feasibility study will take around four months and will probably start by the middle of February so that the city government will have the requisite master development and conservation plan for both major income-generating assets to guide policy makers and decision makers in deciding future developments to introduce in these major city properties. She added that the conduct of the feasibility study for both city assets is aligned with an earlier resolution passed by the City Council requiring the preparation of a master development plan and a conservation plan for the Maharlika building and city market for the city to have a blueprint of developments that will be allowed to be introduced in the said structures. Clemente underscored the importance of conducting the feasibility study to serve as basis in preparing the master development and conservation plans for both the said areas so that future leaders of the city will be guided on what kind of developments should be introduced in any part of the facilities to avoid the implementation of improvements that are not part of the crafted plans. The city government acquired ownership of the Maharlika Livelihood Center from the State-owned Human Settlements Development Corporation (HSDC) under the agriculture department following the lapse of the 50-year lease agreement of the city-owned land where the structure was erected. Clemente stipulated that the master development and conservation plans will identify the kind and magnitude of development that can be introduced in the properties, especially that the Maharlika

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Every February, when the mountain air of Baguio turns crisper and the city seems to breathe in unison, flowers begin to speak. They bloom not only in gardens and parks but in streets, schools, marketplaces, and hearts. This is Panagbenga, the Baguio Flower Festival, a celebration that grew from resilience, flourished through community spirit, and became one of the country’s most cherished cultural traditions. The story of Panagbenga began in 1995, at a time when Baguio was still healing from the devastation of the 1990 Luzon earthquake. From this period of recovery came an idea both simple and powerful: to hold a flower festival that would honor the city’s environment, culture, and people. Atty. Damaso E. Bangaoet Jr. presented the proposal to the John Hay Poro Point Development Corporation (JPDC), then managing Camp John Hay. With the support of the Base Conversion Development Authority and the immediate approval of its leadership, the plan took root. February was chosen as the month of celebration, a fitting season for renewal. When the first Baguio Flower Festival was held in 1996, it was fittingly billed “The Birth of a Tradition.” What began as an initiative quickly became a movement. Volunteers, city officials, artists, teachers, students, business owners, and civic groups all stepped forward. The people wanted a festival of their own, one that was unmistakably Baguio in spirit, color, and character. With the full support of city leaders—Mayor Mauricio Domogan, Representative Bernardo Vergara, and the City Council—the festival unfolded smoothly, its success carried by cooperation and shared pride. Over nine days, Baguio came alive with activities: a floral parade, street dancing, garden shows, cultural performances, competitions, and community-wide beautification efforts. Panagbenga had found its rhythm. Children danced along parade routes dressed as flowers of every shape and hue. Businesses created flower-inspired products. Civic organizations provided manpower and logistics. New traditions were born alongside it. “Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom” invited people from all walks of life, artists, children, families, and even tourists to paint flowers that would later transform city walls into open-air galleries. “Session Road in Bloom” closed Baguio’s most famous street to traffic, turning it into a promenade of flower carts, sidewalk cafés, music, and laughter. Art, fashion, and heritage converged in events that highlighted indigenous weaving, local creativity, and the city’s evolving identity. By 1998, Panagbenga had matured. Community involvement deepened, and participation expanded across sectors. Burnham Lake, envisioned by city planner Daniel Burnham as Baguio’s heart, became the stage for a fluvial parade and boating competitions. Horses, a long part of the city’s character, took center stage during Pony Boys’ Day, where riders dressed as knights, cowboys, Katipuneros, and tribal figures paraded and competed, blending history with spectacle. Food, too, became part of the celebration. The Baguio Association of Restaurants hosted a food festival, adding flavor to the already rich sensory experience. Drum and bugle corps filled the air with music, while schools brought the festival into classrooms and campuses through academic, artistic, and environmental activities. In these efforts, Panagbenga planted itself firmly in the consciousness of the youth, ensuring its continuity. As the festival grew, so did the understanding that its greatest strength lay not in any single event but in the collective spirit that sustained it. This came to be known as the Panagbenga Spirit—a sense of oneness born from shared purpose. Government agencies provided structure and support, much like a trellis guiding a garden’s growth. Each year, Panagbenga closes with rituals rich in symbolism, flags lowered and entrusted for safekeeping, petals falling from the sky, candles lit against twilight, fireworks bursting through the rain. These moments do not signal an ending but a promise: that the season of blossoming will return. Today, Panagbenga endures because it lives where traditions truly survive, in the hearts and minds of the people. Born from shared history, shaped by collective effort, and sustained by community spirit, it remains a celebration not only of flowers but of who the people of Baguio are and who they aspire to be. In every bloom, every dance step, and every helping hand, Panagbenga continues to say what words alone cannot: this is a city that flowers together. (Danielyn Abela, PIO-DMMMSU Intern)    

CAMP JOHN HAY, Baguio City, Philippines — In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s push for inclusive and people-centered governance, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has granted the Supreme Court of the Philippines usufructuary rights over a 10,000-square-meter property in Camp John Hay for the construction of a Hall of Justice serving Baguio City and nearby areas in Northern Luzon. The project will establish a centralized, purpose-built judicial complex aimed at improving court efficiency, reducing case congestion, and bringing justice services closer to communities outside Metro Manila. For BCDA, the initiative shows how state land can be strategically activated to strengthen governance and uphold the rule of law. BCDA President and CEO Joshua M. Bingcang said the agreement reflects institutional trust and a shared responsibility to deliver essential public services. “This grant is a conscious act of trust between institutions committed to serving the Filipino people,” Bingcang said. “We are confident this land will give rise to a Hall of Justice that stands for fairness, integrity, and the rule of law.” Court Administrator Ma. Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta said the development is a significant step toward strengthening judicial presence and service delivery in the region, particularly in fast-growing urban centers. “[Their] continued support and cooperation are essential to ensure that the use of government lands is lawful, responsible, and beneficial to the public,” she added. The signing was attended by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, and members of the Supreme Court. BCDA Chairperson Larry B. Paredes served as witness, underscoring the shared commitment to strengthening the country’s justice system. The project supports the Marcos administration’s broader agenda to expand access to justice, improve government service delivery, and ensure that public institutions work more efficiently and equitably for Filipinos, particularly in the regions.  

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) declared that the camp remains safe for visitors claiming that the January 16 traffic road crash that claimed the life of a 69-year-old senior citizen and injuring six others is an isolated case. JHMC president Manjit Singh Reandi said that the administration is currently assessing the overall situation of the camp to identify areas where the necessary adjustments could be introduced to sustain the overall safety and security of the people visiting the different areas of the former American rest and recreation center. Among the areas in the camp being currently assessed are the sidewalks, railings, facilities, and pedestrians to ascertain which areas need improvements or adjustments. The JHMC official claimed that the corporation will widen identified critical walkways and sidewalks, install additional railings in critical areas around the camp, put in place or adjust pedestrian lanes for the safety and convenience of residents and visitors frequenting the different facilities of the camp. Reandi pointed out that the road crash opened the doors for JHMC to work on some possible improvements in the camp that will contribute in enhancing the safety and security of the people visiting the different sites. At the same time, the JHMC is also closely working with the management of the Cordillera Basic Sectors Transport Cooperative (CBSTC), the operator of the electric vehicles plying the John Hay loop, to ensure the road worthiness of the vehicles being used to ferry people around the camp. Reandi explained that the JHMC is also closely looking at the fit to work condition of the drivers of the electric vehicles to check on their mental and physical conditions to prevent the occurrence of similar incidents in the future that might compromise the overall safety and security of passengers and pedestrians. Further, JHMC will also make sure that the operator will have the necessary insurance coverage for the electric vehicles and the passengers aside from making sure that their operation will be covered by the relevant permits from the regulatory agencies such as the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB). According to him, JHMC has been consistent in closely monitoring the road worthiness of the electric vehicles being used in the free John Hay loop ride that is why the corporation also granted a space inside the camp that will serve as an office of the operator to ensure appropriate coordination and immediate action whenever there will be problems that may arise such as what happened in the recent incident. On the other hand, Reandi stipulated that JHMC officials had already reached out to the families of the fatality and the injured individuals right after the incident and that the corporation had already extended financial assistance to the bereaved family of the deceased senior citizen while it is also working out the appropriate aid for the injured individuals. He asserted that it is still business as usual inside the camp amidst the traffic incident as JHMC remains on top of the situation with the immediate response done by the corporation’s emergency response team who were right in the midst of the action within one minute after it was reported to the management. Meanwhile, The city government provided assistance to the victims of the road accident along Scout Hill, Camp John Hay last January 16, 2026 where one woman died and four others injured. Mayor Benjamin Magalong ensured that all appropriate assistance will be extended to the victims through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD) and the City Health Services Office (CHSO). The Baguio City Police Office through the Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) is still investigating the cause of the accident even as documents are being prepared for inquest proceedings. The bus driver was arrested by responding authorities. Initial report of the BCPO said the incident happened at around 3:20 p.m. and was reported to authorities at about 4:30 p.m. involving a Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) electric bus driven by a 52-year-old man from Itogon, Benguet. Initial investigation showed that the bus was ascending Scout Hill Road when, for still unknown reasons, it swerved to the left side of the road and hit five women who were along the area. The bus then continued forward and eventually ditched on the roadside slope. One of the victims was declared dead on the spot by responding Emergency Medical Service (EMS), while the four other women sustained injuries. The injured victims were given first aid and rushed to a hospital for further treatment. (Baguio PIO)    

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – “Ang serbisyo publiko ay hindi dapat transaksyon, at ang pamumuno ay hindi dapat nakabatay sa personal na utang.” In a social media post, Mayor Benjamin Magalong said that for genuine change to last, the current system must be changed to prevent the asking of favors from politicians in exchange for votes. “Panahon na ring wakasan ang kultura ng padrino at utang na loob. Ang pamahalaan ay dapat gumana sa malinaw na patakaran, pantay na serbisyo, at pananagutan: hindi sa palakasan,” he said. Magalong pointed out that good governance starts when government institutions are strong, and processes are clear. “Ang tunay na reporma ay nagsisimula sa pagbabago ng sistema, hindi sa pansariling pabor,” he stressed. “CONVICTION, INTEGRITY, COMMITMENT NEEDED TO SERVE EFFECTIVELY” “In public service, true leadership requires unwavering faith not only in God but in the purpose of serving the people.” Thus, declared Mayor Benjamin Magalong in a social media post, as he pointed out that just as the wind tosses a wave, a leader who doubts can be easily swayed by challenges, criticism, or uncertainty. He said that to serve effectively, “one must act with conviction, integrity, and steadfast commitment, trusting that sincere intentions and faithful actions will guide positive change.” “Let us, therefore, approach every decision and responsibility with faith, clarity, and courage, anchored in service to the community and the common good,” the Mayor stressed. (Gaby B. Keith)