By PIA-CAR   BAGUIO CITY, Philippines (PIA) — As concerns over rising HIV cases continue, the SIGLAT-Baguio Youth Innovation Hub is intensifying its efforts to engage young people in conversations on sexual health, rights, and inclusive communities. Through the Respond Project: Community Action for Rights Empowerment and Education Initiative, SIGLAT, in partnership with the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines, Baguio-Benguet Chapter, recently gathered students and youth participants for a day of interactive learning focused on issues that directly affect their sector. SIGLAT is an initiative of the City Government of Baguio through the City Planning, Development, and Sustainability Office.   “We try to reach universities, schools, and organizations so they can participate… At the same time, we also act as a promoter and funder for activities like this. We believe in the advocacy and the cause of these workshops,” SIGLAT Project Technical Staff Engr. Pedro Fernando F. Maranan said. Maranan said that the most effective way to combat the rising HIV cases is through awareness. “We want the workshops we deliver to come from the right people, from experts and professionals. That way, the knowledge that we share is accurate and meaningful… This is what we provide in the workshops, and why we continue to reach out to the youth,” he said. Student Kyls Ethan Dabien said the sessions help mobilize people to act to resolve issues and concerns in society. “Even though hindi ko naman na-experience yung mga problema na na-mention first-hand, nakikita ko talaga yung effects nito sa society. These seminars prepare and guide not just the youth but other people to start action to resolve or help fix the problems we have in society,” Dabien said. The workshops also helped the students understand the complexities of LGBTQ+ identities. “‘Yung knowledge ko on LGBTQ+ po is that it only goes through pansexual and asexual pero ngayon ko lang na-encounter yung minsexual at finsexual. I learned that attraction doesn’t only go with sex or gender, but also how others present themselves,” participant Eloissa Mae Aguimbag said. “Hindi lang naman diretso na lecture, it also has interaction with the audience, which allows us not only to learn but also to interact in a fun and entertaining way,” participant Khryzzle Bilag also said. With plans to extend its reach through university partnerships and youth-centered programs, SIGLAT continues to empower Baguio’s young people to become informed, proactive, and inclusive members of society. (JDP/DEG-PIA-CAR w/ BSU intern Xyzza Luzano)      

By Rose Frejane A. Cruz BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Mayor Benjamin Magalong clarified that taking pictures at Lion Head on Kennon Road is not completely prohibited, but rather vehicles that stop right in front to take pictures that cause traffic on the road are prohibited. According to Magalong, there is a designated parking area not far from Lion Head, so tourists are not prohibited from taking pictures at the area. He said, “It depends on the traffic flow, if there are really many vehicles going up and down, it is really forbidden to stop their vehicles in the middle of the road or on the side just to take pictures, because it is an obstruction to the flow of traffic.” Due to the criticism on social media regarding the tarpaulin placed in front of Lion Head, it has been removed, instead motorists are allowed to take pictures, but must park in the designated parking area. The assignment of police officers to the area to guide motorists is in line with DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s directive on March 31 to strictly implement zero-obstruction policies, especially along Kennon Road, where many motorists stop for picture taking, causing heavy traffic in the area. According to Magalong, the policy is in line with Secretary Remulla’s general guidance, and it is up to the discretion of the traffic controller in the area, who if it is really loose and parks in the parking area, can go to the landmark itself and take pictures. “We just need discipline from our motorists so that they don’t have to deal with traffic on the road, so I appeal to our tourists who will be passing through Kennon Road to avoid stopping right in front of the landmark so as not to obstruct the flow of traffic and to those who want to take pictures of the Lion Head use the parking area so as not to obstruct the traffic around it.” Kennon Road is the closest road with 33km to and from Baguio City, which is a great relief given the ever-increasing price of gasoline.

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Tourists traveling along Kennon Road to and from Baguio City will no longer be able to see the famous Lion Head, as a tarpaulin has been placed in front of it, today, April 7. The action is in response to DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s call on local officials on March 31 to strictly implement zero-obstruction policies, especially along Kennon Road, where many motorists stop here for picture taking, causing heavy traffic in the area. This measure was taken because despite the police ban during the Holy Week, tourist motorists could not stop at the area and take pictures, which allegedly caused traffic along Kennon Road. According to the police, the installation of the tarpaulin is to prevent visitors from taking pictures, which is causing heavy traffic on the road, especially now during the Summer Vacation when more tourists are expected. According to a vendor in the area, they have suffered a huge loss in their livelihoods, relying solely on tourists stopping by the area now that Lion Head has been covered, as no one will buy their goods. She said, “Last year, when Kennon Road was closed for a long time and impassable due to a landslide, we were unable to make a living and now, in the summer we were expecting and there were few visitors due to the fuel crisis, this is what happened, how can we do this?” the vendor, who did not want to be named, said. The 40-foot Lion’s Head monument on Kennon Road is a sight that attracts thousands of visitors to Baguio City. It was built by the Baguio Lions Club in 1960 and formally inaugurated to the public in 1972. Since then, this place has become one of the city’s tourist destinations and tourists have become a souvenir to take pictures of at this place. (SJ)        

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Congressman Mauricio Domogan announced that the Bases Conversion and Development Authority will support the more than three-decade-old issue of segregation of 13 barangays falling within the Camp John Reservation under the 19 Conditionalities contained in Resolution No. 362 of the city government in 1994. Under House Bill No. 6437 filed by Domogan on November 27, 2025, the segregation of 13 barangays: Hillside, Camp 7, Country Club, Greenwater Village, Happy Hollow, Loakan Apugan, Loakan-Liwanag, Loakan Proper, Upper Dagsian, Lower Dagsian, Lucnab, Sta. Scholastica and Scout Barrio, from the Camp John Hay Reservation covered by Republic Act No. 7227. The said bill, as amended, converting them to alienable and disposable public land and declaring the same open for the disposition to bonafide qualified occupants and or applicants under Republic Act No. 730 or RA No.10023. According to Domogan, “During our previous hearing on March 19, before we recessed in Congress, the BCDA agreed that they would support my bill to exclude the 13 barangays from John Hay Reservation, so that’s a big deal.” He said, BCDA President Joshua Bingcang was also said to have committed to focus on and discuss with BCDA officials and city government officials, including Domogan, to iron out those issues contained in the 19 conditionalities. “There are many issues that need to be resolved, first of all in the preparation of the John Hay Master Development Plan is related to the bill excluding 13 barangays because it must be reflected in the development plan. Bingcang is grateful for the bill we have passed, because it will also somewhat determine the preparation of the master development plan,” Domogan said. Although the entire text is extensive, the 19 conditions cover five main pillars: Environment, Economy, Governance, Social Justice and Infrastructure. The main ones being proposed are Condition 9 (Revenue Sharing), where Baguio City is entitled to a specific share of the gross income: 3% for National Government, 3% for Baguio City and 1% for community development. Condition 14 (Land & Housing), the segregation of 13 barangays currently within the reservation so they can be titled to actual occupants; (Environment), strict protection of the Pine forest, a ban on cutting trees without city permits and maintaining at least 25% open space. Social Rules (2), a strict ban on gambling and casinos within CJH reservation and Condition No.66 (Reversion), all developed properties and improvements must revert to the city government upon the expiration of the lease. Although BCDA has regained control of the camp from the private developer CHJDevco, the Baguio City government led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong has expressed frustration with the long-standing discussions on the issues, especially the million-peso rental of CJH in the city. According to Domogan, given the development he sees in these issues, it is only right to have good discussions to resolve them immediately. “We hope that the next discussions between BCDA will have good results, not only on segregation, but also on all the conditions contained in the 19 conditionalities.” (By Zaldy Comanda)

By Rose Frejane A. Cruz   BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The decline in tourists in the Summer Capital and neighboring areas of Benguet is being felt this Holy Week. Mayor Benjamin Magalong admitted earlier the decline in tourists after the Panagbenga Festival, which was followed by the gasoline crisis caused by the war in the Middle East. “Our tourist arrivals dropped by 40 to 50 percent during the successive increases in gasoline prices and maybe this Holy Week our tourists might increase by 60 percent, but after this, our tourism will definitely drop again,” Magalong said. He said he spoke to bus companies who actually reduced their trips by 50 percent and even the hotel and transients association and reported that their respective bookings during the Holy Week were low. According to Peter Ng, owner of a large hotel in the city, since the gasoline crisis began until this Holy Week, their hotel bookings have dropped by 40 percent. “This crisis has had a huge impact, not just me, all businesses, big or small, are really feeling the economic downturn. Right now, I have reduced the number of workers, or rather, they are alternates.” Ng stated. Andrew Pinero, spokesperson for the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio, said that bookings at establishments have dropped by about 40 to 50 percent since early March. He said that after the Panagbenga Festival, it is normal for tourist arrivals and hotel bookings to increase during the Holy Week and Summer Vacation, but this year the demand is very low. Occupancy rates that usually reach 80 to 90 percent during the summer have dropped to about 40 percent, reflecting the stress on the local tourism industry. He said that most hotels and restaurants are now using their own tricks such as promos and discounts to attract tourists as the Summer Vacation begins. In the biking area in Burnham Park, where the previous rental fee for a bicycle was P100, it is now only P50 or P100 for two bicycles, to attract the few visitors who come here. In the neighboring town of La Trinidad, where the Strawberry Farm is a tourist hotspot, now the number of tourists here is dwindling. “Before, during this Holy Week, my farm was full of tourists picking strawberries, it was fun to see so many of them, but now it is sad that there are almost no visitors,” stated Marife Agad, farm owner.

By Rose Frejane A.Cruz   BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The City Social Welfare and Development Office reported a total of 180 incidents of Child Abuse were recorded of which 65 cases were filed, while 115 cases were not filed in the year 2025. In the data, 50 were physical abuse; 31 were incest rape; 23 were sexual abuse; 19 were neglect; 17 were acts of lewdness; 15 were emotional abuse; 12 were sexual molestation; 11 were incest-related rape (RA 11862) and two were Trafficking in Persons. The 180 cases of data in 2025 show a decrease from the 271 reported cases in 2024, where 48 were filed while 223 were not yet filed. In the said data, 53 were, while 117 were female victims, of which 17 belonged to the age group of 0-5; 15 were 6-8 years old; 23 were 9-11 years old; 82 were 12 to 15 years old, and 34 were 16-17 years old. It was further stated that 32 of the perpetrators were unrelated to their victims, while the rest could be family, neighbors, stepmothers, girlfriends, classmates, in-laws, playmates, landlords, family friends and acquaintances. For Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL), data from January to December 2025 shows 168 cases of which 24 were female and 144 were male; 129 were students and 39 were OSY. Most of them, 111 belonged to the age group of 12 to 15 years old; while 47 were 16 to 17 years old, and there were five each for the age groups of 9 to 11 and 18 to 20. Their offenses included robbery, physical harm, assault, alleged frustrated murder, slight physical harm, attempted murder, sexual molestation, alleged sexual abuse, alleged rape, carnapping, robbery, rape, murder, grave coercion; alleged statutory rape, robbery, extortion and physical harm. In this regard, interventions are being implemented through coordinated efforts from government agencies while citing data from Child Abuse (CA), Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) and Children at Risk (CaR) cases in 2025 at the recently held first quarter meeting of the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC). These interventions include strengthening child protection systems, community awareness campaigns, support for families at risk, and collaboration with schools and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Medical, financial, food, educational, and livelihood assistance is available through the CSWDO, such as temporary shelter, counseling, psychological first aid, life skills, parenting sessions, value building, and referrals to protective custody. Safety assessment, debriefing, physical examination, referral, transportation, facilitation of sworn statements, and ongoing monitoring are also provided through the Health Services Office (HSO), Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC), in coordination with other agencies.        

BAGUIO CiITY, Philippines – The Luzon North 1 Division of the Social Security System (SSS) continues its efforts in 2026 to expand social security coverage and protection of Job Order (JO) and Contract of Service (COS) workers from various government agencies through the KaSSSanga Collect Program (KCP). Through newly signed partnerships with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Ilocos Norte and Benguet State University (BSU) in La Trinidad, more than 800 JO and COS workers will be covered as self-employed members, with contributions conveniently deducted from their monthly salaries and remitted to the SSS. “This structured system removes the burden on workers to pay individually and helps ensure consistent contribution remittance to maintain active SSS membership,” SSS Vice President for Luzon North 1 Division Normita Cruz said. Around 127 JO and COS workers from PENRO Ilocos Norte will be registered, with the agency subsidizing P300 of their monthly SSS contributions. At BSU, around 700 workers will also be covered as SSS members, with contributions conveniently deducted from their monthly salaries. Cruz clarified that JO and COS workers in government agencies are not covered under the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Law, prompting the need to expand SSS coverage within the professional sector. “Through the KCP, these government workers shall have access to a wide range of SSS benefits, including sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death, and funeral, as well as loan privileges,” Cruz said. The monthly contribution for self-employed members ranges from P760 to P5,280, depending on the member’s declared monthly income. This amount already includes Employees’ Compensation (EC) contribution, which ranges from P10 to P30. “The EC Program provides additional benefits to employed and self-employed members in case of work-related sickness, injury or death,” added Cruz. She encouraged other interested government agencies to participate in the program, noting that SSS branches are open to discuss partnership arrangements and program details. “Interested agencies are always welcome to visit our branches and learn more about the benefits of the KCP. This initiative is a meaningful way to show appreciation and recognition for the valuable contributions of JO and COS workers in advancing governance initiatives,” Cruz concluded.

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Mayor Benjamin Magalong announced that the city government has received the P56 million fund allocation from the national government for the implementation of the Assistance to Indigent Individuals or Families – Food Assistance/Rice Distribution project intended to provide rice subsidies to indigent families in the city. Magalong directed the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD) to expediting the grant to qualified families from the different barangays in the city. CSWD Officer Liza Bulayungan said they will prepare the project proposal, purchase request and other documentary requirements to immediately roll out the assistance. Magalong last February thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for including the city as beneficiary of the 2026 Local Government Support Fund-Financial Assistance (LGSF-FA) under the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program. He assured that the distribution of the assistance in the City will be free from political color and influence noting that in the past, similar program was controlled by influential members of Congress. “No politics, no ‘epal’ this time.  Purely assistance from the government to those in need,” Magalong reiterated. He also assured residents that proper guidelines will be followed to ensure fair identification of beneficiaries and accountable use of the funds.  Further details on the implementation and distribution schedule will be announced as soon as available. The P56 million allocation for the city is part of the almost P58-billion LGSF allocation for 2026 which aims to provide direct support to needy families and communities nationwide. The amount is downloaded straight to the local government unit in a direct and digitized manner to ensure faster implementation.(Aileen P. Refuerzo-Baguio PIO)