BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The Palafox Associates architectural firm, the winning bidder to prepare the Dominican Hill Heritage Site redevelopment plan, has finished and presented their output in a final public consultation held Jan. 20, 2026 at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center. The public consultation was open to the public, stakeholders, heritage advocates, professionals and other interested individuals while it was also broadcast via social media livestream to reach a wider audience ensuring an inclusive decision-making in the adaptive reuse of the 3.2-hectare city government’s property. The Palafox team led by Heritage Conservation Specialist Architect Joel V. Rico have presented a comprehensive Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for the century-old Dominican Hill Heritage Site project focused on the preservation and adaptive reuse while promoting sustainable development aligned with the 2021 Guidelines for Cultural Properties. Key features of the CMP include the retention of the original facade and the additional modern elements such as the following: Crystal Gazebo inspired by Fr. Roque Ruano’s original design – paying homage to the retreat house’s historical intent; Skylighted Portico – designed to enhance natural daylight and reducing the need for artificial lighting; Spiral Staircase replacing the semi-circular staircase while adding a Scenic Elevator for persons with disability accessibility; and a Patio and Garden in the Atrium. The design aims to enhance the structure’s aesthetic and functional appeal while integrating it into the surrounding landscape. Adaptive reuse of the building prioritizes state-of-the art galleries to serve as a Creative Hub for local artists considering that Baguio City is a designated UNESCO Creative City for crafts and folk arts. Multipurpose halls and a historical wall will also be integrated with an industrial design. Additionally, a proposed restaurant will be incorporated serving as a commercial component to generate income for site maintenance and heritage conservation. Outside the building, a hillside amphitheater will be weaved into the existing landscape; at least two Cantilever view decks will be integrated without cutting existing mature trees; a sound garden or meditation zone; a deck/frontage expansion; adaptive reuse restaurant; a picnic and botanical garden; adaptive reuse of the 10 commandments building; an outdoor gallery and donor’s wall; and pedestrianized pathways. “The property offers only about 30% of its area as buildable land, due to slopes being less than 18%, which complicates the planning process. Furthermore, the buildable area is encircled by lush vegetation and mature trees, protected under the Baguio Environmental Code, preventing any tree removal,” the team stated. To address the site’s parking requirements, the team identified a nearby open-space approximately 250 meters from the main gate – that currently functions as a ground parking area. Said space can be redeveloped into a mixed-use parking facility that includes a ticketing area, administration office, and commercial components. The team recommends the implementation of a park and walk setting to minimize vehicular traffic and reduce carbon emissions within the property. Also, the inclusion of a Hop-On, Hop-Off shuttle service is proposed to facilitate seamless access for commuters and visitors. For Persons with Disabilities, the team proposes the installation of a hill hiker system similar to a funicular. The system would transport PWDs from the base of the Dominican Hill to the property located at the top. During the final public consultation, traffic and garbage management were pointed out, and the team assured that these are all part of the business plan component of the CMP. In the study, a carrying capacity of 200 persons at a time inside the building was calculated, and 2,000 individuals outside. The Dominican Hill Heritage Site, located in Barangay Dominican-Mirado,r is recognized as a Grade 2 level heritage property under the internal rules and regulations of RA10066, which covers Important Cultural Properties, Natural Properties of Cultural Significance, Declared Archeological Sites, Heritage Trees, Heritage Zones, Marked Structures, and Gabaldon School Buildings. In 2022, the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) secured a 15 million pesos national grant for the Detailed Architectural and Engineering Design Service (DEADS) and the development of the CMP. Historical and cultural significance were the major considerations in the preparation of the CMP, as well as a series of technical workshops and consultations with stakeholders. The team projected a probable project construction cost of more than P800 million to P1 billion for the conservation and adaptive reuse of the Dominican Hill Heritage Site, at par with Green Building Certification Standards. – Jessa Mardy Samidan  

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines  – Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Jaime Raphael Feliciano, Chief Business Development Officer of Megawide Construction Corporation signed the lease agreement for the Baguio City Integrated Terminal Project, the city’s first project implemented under the Private-Public Partnership (PPP) scheme, on January 21. The signing ended years of obstruction in the complex steps of the PPP process that began in 2020. PPP Center Executive Director Undersecretary Rizza Blanco-Latorre attended the event and congratulated the city for the successful project and acknowledged the amount of effort put in by both parties in the endeavor. Feliciano assured that they came up with a “very fair contract” considering the “rigorous and transparent process” they went through with both the executive and legislative branches of the city government. “We had to go through the eye of a needle. But because of that, we were able to come up with a contract that was very fair,” he said. He assured that they will fulfill all their obligations and build a “world-class intermodal terminal” like they have done in their quality PPP projects nationwide including the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) and the Clark International Airport. “Because Baguio is special to us and to most Filipinos, we promise to fulfill all obligations and more, in the times to come,” he said. “Megawide in partnership with the Baguio City Government aims to strategically build an intermodal terminal to help decongest the central business district (CBD). The goal is to offer an enhanced passenger experience by providing a first-world transport facility that can integrate multiple modes of transportation,” Megawide said. The BCIT project is one of the city’s major projects under the PPP program, to be built in Barangay Dontogan along Marcos Highway, which will serve as a passenger transfer terminal for provincial buses coming from outside Baguio to serve as a passenger transfer terminal to various modes of transportation to the city. They specifically aim to “consolidate provincial buses, UVs, modern jeepneys and taxis, offer better passenger facilities with comfortable and spacious waiting areas, provide quality facilities for transportation operators and develop an iconic structure that reflects the culture and heritage of Baguio.” The modern terminal is expected to provide travel conveniences (comfortable seats, waiting areas and boarding gates), passenger info displays/kiosks, ticket booths, customer service, baggage/luggage trolleys, food and retail offerings, free wifi, park and ride options); safety features and facilities for the disabled (24-hour safety and security system, ramps for the mentally challenged, elevators, etc., first aid provisions, breastfeeding stations for nursing mothers, standby police units and designated areas for massage services for the visually impaired); Multiple modes of transportation to various destinations (bus, UV, traditional and modern jeepneys and taxis) Other features are to the benefit of operators, in terms of lower operating costs and overhead costs (available space for minor repairs and cleaning, no need for separate ticketing facilities, no need for separate drivers’ lounge and canteen, no dead run due to the presence of a staging area, and the presence of EV charging facilities) Revenue is also seen to increase due to data-driven passenger management ensuring that transport demand matches supply. For the city government, revenue is expected to increase through rental payments, revenue share, property taxes, and businesses that generate contributions to business permits and taxes. The lease will last for 40 years, after which all project-related assets will be transferred to the city. The company has assured that city residents will be given priority employment for both construction and management. The project has an estimated cost of P1,186,000,000. – Aileen P. Refuerzo

Public urged to practice basic health protocols   BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The City Health Services Office (CHSO) urged both residents and tourists to continue practicing basic health protocols to prevent them from either contracting or passing on to others transmissible illnesses that might compromise their health. Dr. Donabel Tubera-Panes of the CHSO epidemiology and surveillance unit advised people who are not feeling well to voluntarily wear a face mask, practice regular handwashing and sanitation and more importantly, seek medical attention from the nearest health facility for proper diagnosis. The medical officer made the pronouncement after confirming that the city had around 18 cases of the so-called ‘super flu’, with the first case detected on October 15, 2025. Panes reports that most of those who contracted ‘super flu’ are children, comprising 66 percent of those afflicted and that most of them are females, primarily because of their health-seeking behavior. However, she said that all the 18 recorded ‘super flu’ cases in the city have already recovered from the cold day illness. She further advised that it is important for people to observe a healthy lifestyle by taking in nutritious foods to strengthen their immune system and avoid contracting illnesses that might affect their daily routine. For her part, City Health Officer Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes reminded people to shift their eating habits by avoiding fatty foods which might affect their overall health. She pointed out that a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition should be the guidepost of people in choosing their food with more vegetables, fruits and white meat instead of the usual red meat. Brillantes also reminded people to have themselves vaccinated with the available anti-flu vaccines for them to have an added layer of protection from the flu virus during the cold season for them to stay healthy and be productive. (Baguio-PIO)      

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Social Security System (SSS) has appointed Normita M. Cruz as Vice President for the Luzon North 1 Division effective January 8, 2026. With over 40 years of service in branch operations, VP Cruz, who was the former head of SSS Angeles Branch, will oversee SSS offices in Laoag, Vigan, Candon, Bangued, Bontoc, La Trinidad, Baguio, Agoo, and La Union (San Fernando). Her leadership is expected to further improve service delivery, strengthen branch coordination, and enhance access to SSS programs and benefits for over 700,000 members and more than 33,000 employers across Northern Luzon. Ms. Cruz replaces Officer-in-Charge Ms. Nancy M. Umoso, who served in the division for 11 months. With the change in leadership, Umoso will revert to her former post as Branch Head III of the SSS Baguio Branch.      

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines  — A family picnic turned tragic after an Electric Bus crashed, killing a 63-year-old woman, while injuring four of her companions inside Camp John Hay, Baguio City, on January 16. Police identified the deceased as Rowena Andrion, who was declared dead on the spot at the scene of the incident, while the injured were Susan Robles, Jessica Dacpano, Angelica Castro, and Levy Serrano Pacleb, who are now being treated at the hospital. The incident was reported to have occurred at around 3:20 p.m. and was reported to authorities at around 4:30 p.m. Initial investigation showed that the electric bus with license plate NY 369B, driven by Johnny Jr. Algayan Dumanni, a resident of Itogon, Benguet, was driving up Scout Hill Road when, for reasons yet to be determined, he suddenly veered to the left side of the road and hit the pedestrians. According to the police, documents are being prepared for inquest proceedings for a case of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and multiple physical injuries against the driver and the case has been transferred to the Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) for further investigation and disposition. In a public statement, Manjit Singh Reandi, President and CEO of John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) said that the agency is investigating the incident and is coordinating with authorities and the Cordillera Basic Sector Transport Cooperative (CBSTC), the operator of the John Hay Loop shuttle service. “We are aware of the incident that occurred earlier at Camp John Hay. I am personally assessing the situation and have directed our teams to conduct a thorough assessment and investigation,” Reandi said. The Electric bus is a Free Ride Bus within the John Hay Loop, launched in July 2025 as pilot project between the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), JHMC, South Korea-based DeviceDesign Co. Ltd., and CBSTC, designed to improve mobility within Camp John Hay while reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions.

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Mayor Benjamin Magalong is urging the public to stand by the truth and base their opinions and decisions on evidence. “Piliin nating manindigan sa katotohanan, magpakatino sa diskurso, at magpasya batay sa ebidensya. Doon nagsisimula ang mabuting pamamahala: sa tapang na igalang ang mga katotohanan, hindi lang ang mga opinyon,” the Mayor stated in a social media post. He pointed out that each individual has their own views on various issues and that everybody’s opinions are respected in a free society like ours. “Ngunit sa paggawa ng desisyon—lalo na sa pamamahala—hindi maaaring pantayan ng opinyon ang bigat at kredibilidad ng malinaw na datos at katotohanan,” the Mayor said. He stressed: “Kapag ang mga impormasyon ay naipresenta na at napatunayan, tungkulin nating pakinggan at unawain ang mga ito, kahit hindi ito tugma sa ating personal na paniniwala.” “With integrity, unity, and perseverance, let us move forward with purpose and confidence, building a better Baguio for everyone,” the Mayor added. (Gaby B. Keith)

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc. (BFFFI) and the city government launched today, January 12, the 30th edition of the Panagbenga, otherwise known as the Baguio flower festival the at the city hall grounds simultaneously with the conduct of the regular flag raising ceremony. The annual staging of the month-long Panagbenga, which usually starts every February 1, serves as the city’s major crowd-drawing event, being one of the well-attended festivals in the country. The theme of the 30th edition of the flower festival is ‘Blooming Without End’, which highlights the sustained growth of the festival over the past three decades. Members of the BFFFI Board of Trustees will be joining city officials and employees in the formal launching of the month-long activities that will be rolled out on the said date. Further, the official festival theme and calendar of activities will be formally unveiled by the concerned stakeholders, including city officials and the BFFFI Board of Trustees, during the scheduled launching program. Panagbenga enjoys the distinction of being the only festival in the country that was earlier included in the elite list of members of the International Festivals and Events Association. Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong will be delivering the inspirational message while Rep. Mauricio G. Domogan, who is also the BFFFI Chairman, will declare the official launch of the festival. (Baguio-PIO)