BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The Tribu Siglat-Tinungbo Festival of Pugo, La Union won the Festival Dance category, while the Mabini Elementary School Drum and Lyre Corps topped the Elementary Drum and Lyre category, after the showdown competition of the grand street dancing competition of the 30th Panagbenga Festival held at the Melvin Jones Football ground, Baguio City, on February 28. Apart from the performance of the Tribu Siglat, the audience was also impressed by the participation of a female short stature dancer who did not lag behind in her energetic performance in the street dancing parade and showdown competition. Their dance performance showcased the rich culture of the Bago Tribe through traditional dances such as Manmanok, Sadong, and Tadek, accompanied by gongs and bamboo instruments—elements that reflect their origins and beliefs. Aside from their colorful traditions, an important part of their lives is farming and fishing, known as Panagkammel. Their livelihood is based on agriculture—growing rice, vegetables, and other crops—as well as the abundant natural resources of their environment. Panagkammel is not only a livelihood but also a symbol of their hard work, cooperation, and deep connection with nature and they also maintain customs such as Tinungbo, cooking food inside bamboo, which shows their creativity and environmentalism. Tribu Siglat will receive a P200,000 cash prize as 1st place; Tribu Kanluran Jones, of Jones, Isabela, 2nd place, with a prize of P100,000 and Tribu Balitok a Pagey, of Malasiqui, Pangasinan, 3rd Place with a prize of P70,000. Mabini Elementary School Drum and Lyre Corps won 1st Place in the Elementary Drum and Lyre category, with a prize of P150,000; second place went to El Tribu d Lucban, of Lucan Elementary School with a prize of P100,000 and third place went to Tuba Central School, Tuba, Benguet with a prize of P70,000. Aside from the cash prizes received, the participants will be given P100,000 each as a subsidiary for their participation in the competition. (By Zaldy Comanda)  

BAGUIO CITY – A midget woman wowed the audience with her energetic performance during the grand street dancing competition of the grand celebration of the 30th Panagbenga Festival with the themed ‘Blooming Without End’ in Baguio City, on February 28. The said midget dancer is part of the Tribu Siglat- Tinungbo Festival continegt of Pugo, La Union, and showed their rich culture of the Bago Tribethrough traditional dances such as Manmanok, Sadong, and Tadek, accompanied by gongs and bamboo instruments—elements that reflect their origins and beliefs. Aside from their colorful traditions, an important part of their lifestyle is farming and fishing, known as Panagkammel. Their livelihood is based on agriculture—growing rice, vegetables, and other crops—as well as the abundant natural resources of their environment. Panagkammel is not only a livelihood but also a symbol of their hard work, cooperation, and deep connection with nature. They also maintain customs such as Tinungbo, cooking food inside a bamboo, which shows their creativity and environmentalism. The seven other participants in the Festival Dance are the Lamut Harvest Festival Dance of Ifugao, Pagibang Damara Festival of SanJose, Nueva Ecija, Tribu Balitok a Pagey of Malasique, Pangasinan, Tribu Bagtas, Alisto SDO of Santo Domingo, Ilocos Sur, Tribu Bannuar Ilocandia of Balaoan, La Union, Tribu Eulogiano-Baggak Festival of Bauang, La Union, and Tribu Kanluran Jones-PiniUsa Festival of Jones, Isabela. In addition, the six participants in the Elementary Drum and Lyre Streetdancing competition on February 1 will also be paraded on Saturday, to continue their remaining 70 percent performance, as only 30 percent was taken from their performance during the grand opening of the Panagbenga Festival. The participants include Tuba Central School Drum and Lyre Corps; Pugo Central School, El Tribu D’Lucban Elementary School. Baguio Central School, Lucban Elementary School, Puguis Elementary School and Mabini Elementary School. The participants will once again showcase their skills in the showdown competition as the finale at the Melvin Jones Football ground, Burnham Park, Baguio City.(By Zaldy Comanda)          

  BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) General Manager Mark Lapid, along with Mayor Benjamin Magalong, personally inspected the ongoing rehabilitation of Burnham Park in Baguio City, on the afternoon of February 26. The P400 million fund for the rehabilitation of Burnham Park is a testament to TIEZA’s commitment to Baguio City to modernize the main public park in the Summer Capital, which is expected to be completed by May 2026. Lapid, along with agency officials, inspected the ongoing dredging operation and rehabilitation of the lake as Phase 1 of the project with a P100 million budget, which is a priority work. Contractor Dungan Constructors & Trading Corp. explained and Moment Diagram Builders Joint Venture informed Lapid and Magalong that the excavation works are about 40 percent complete, while the slope protection measures—considered the most technically challenging—have reached about 70 percent complete. Lapid and Magalong expressed confidence and joy at seeing the smooth progress of the rehabilitation in relation to the right path in its implementation. Lapid said the agency remains committed to providing continued funding support to ensure the completion of the rehabilitation, which aims to preserve the park’s historical value while improving its facilities for residents and tourists. According to Magalong, “It is really time for us to have a modern park, especially Burnham, which is a center for tourism, once the lake is completed, the skating rink, Children’s Park and other parts of the park will follow, along with upgrading pedestrian pathways, restoring landscaped areas, improving drainage systems, and improving recreational facilities such as boating areas, promenades, and public facilities. “This could have been done long ago because there was already a P400 million fund allocated, but during the pandemic, we withdrew it because our government needed funds to purchase medicine. So now that we have recovered and have the funds, I told the Mayor to start the rehabilitation, even if it is by phase by phase,” Lapid explained. Magalong thanked TIEZA for fulfilling its promise to continue the rehabilitation of Burnham Park, to address the effects of aging infrastructure, environmental degradation, and increasing tourist activity. (By Rose Frejane A.Cruz)    

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines —  The City Government of Baguio has been approved as a beneficiary of the 2026 Local Government Support Fund-Financial Assistance (LGSF-FA) under the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program, with a total allocation of P56 million. Mayor Benjamin Magalong announced the development after receiving a letter from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. dated February 23, 2026 affirming the grant of the assistance intended to provide rice subsidies to qualified families. 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 families and communities nationwide and will be downloaded straight to the local government unit in a direct and digitized manner to ensure faster implementation. President Marcos expressed confidence in the city’s leadership, emphasizing that the funds must be utilized transparently and in accordance with existing government budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws. “As a former Local Chief Executive myself, I entrust to you and to all our local governments the efficient, equitable, and effective delivery of social services and economic development programs so that this much-needed support is delivered and felt by every ordinary Filipino,” the President said. In response, the mayor thanked the President for the assistance and assured that the distribution of the assistance in the City will not be influenced by political interests. “Rest assured that there will be no ‘epal’ in the distribution to beneficiaries. The assistance will go directly to the people who truly need it,” the mayor said. “With the direct release of funds to LGUs, he said implementation will now be more transparent, efficient and equitable,” he added. Magalong noted that in the past, similar programs were reportedly controlled by influential members of Congress. He expressed appreciation that the program is “no longer politicized.” 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 are expected to be announced soon. According to the President, the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program LGSF-FA aims to provide 60 kilos of rice annually to over five million Filipino families nationwide. Under the program, each qualified family will receive 10 kilos of rice for six months every year. He said the P58-billion LGSF will also support other priority projects, including health facility upgrades, disaster preparedness initiatives, farm-to-market roads, electrification and water supply systems.(By Aileen P. Refuerzo)

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Some 500 farm tourism industry stakeholders from all over the country will be participating in the 9th International Farm Tourism Conference to be held in the city on March 4-6, 2026 which seeks to aggressively promote the rapidly growing industry. The 3-day event is organized by the International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST) with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the city government as co-presenters working on the theme ‘Highland Harvest, Cultivating Sustainable Agriculture and Tourism.’ ISST president and former tourism Secretary Mina Gabor said that the event seeks to highlight the growing farm tourism industry in various parts of the country and will bring to the fore the increasing investment and the development of upland farm-based attractions that will ensure their sustainability. She claimed that there are already around 800 farm tourism sites around the country but only 138 that have been accredited by the tourism department through the years. Senator Francis Pangilinan, chairman of the Senate committee on agriculture, will be the keynote speaker of this prestigious farm tourism conference where he will be expounding on the upper chamber’s legislative agenda on food security. At the same time, the conference will feature an exhibit of agricultural produce, processed food, native crafts and finished products from the Cordillera to be led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) with Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona leading the activity. Gabor claimed that participants of the conference will also have a chance to immerse in the exotic cuisine, natural wonders, adventure attractions and well-preserved culture of the Cordillera. There will also be panel discussions that will focus on highland coffee innovations with Dr. Alejandro Mojica of the Philippine Coffee Board and the Manila Times columnist Noemi Lardizabal-Dado, and tradition to technology with La Trinidad Councilor Belmer Elis, Cordillera culture bearer and master weaver Cathy Ekid, and Cosmic farm president Rogel Marsan. Among the other topics programmed during the conference are the Six Pillars of Sustainable Farm Tourism by SVD Laudatu Si’ farm founder Fr. Samuel Agcaracar, Digitalization and Farm Tourism by Vulcain.ai founder Gregory Duffel, and Preserving Natural and Cultural Heritage with Narda’s handwoven Arts and Crafts Director Lucia Capuyan-Catanes. Scientific and technical inputs will also be discussed such as Sustainable Food System for Food Security by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Country Representative Lionel Henri Valentin Dabbadie, Brand Storytelling and Marketing Strategies by Approach Consultancy president Lorenzo Manalang and Adopting Agriculture to Climate Reality International Institute for Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) Country Director Emilita Monville Oro, and Building Resilient Communities in the Highlands by ASEAN Center for Biodiversity Adviser Dr. Theresa Mundita Lim. (Baguio PIO)

  BAGUIO CITY — Five individuals were honored by the Baguio Filipino-Chinese community for their outstanding contributions to the government and community in Baguio City. The awards were presented during the Dinner Reception Awards Night of the 28th annual Spring Festival 2026 celebration, in recognition of their dedication, service, and leadership that have strengthened community ties and uplifted lives. The honoring of the five individuals was historic as it was attended by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan himself at the Hotel Supreme Mall & Events Center, on February 18. According to Executive Committee Peter Ng, through public service, community work, business, and social development, the awardees have become strong partners of the Filipino-Chinese Community in Baguio, helping to shape a more inclusive, active, and compassionate city. With 35 years of public service under the Philippine Information Agency, Joseph B. Zambrano has dedicated his career to clear and responsible public communication. He also served as a former board member of the Philippine Red Cross Baguio, a member of the Regional Advisory Council of Police Cordillera, and is now the District 3 Director of Benguet Energy Corporation (BENECO). Throughout his government service, he helped the Baguio Filipino-Chinese Community relay important information to the public, strengthening understanding and civic engagement. Arturo A. Flores in Community Service for being President of the Baguio Amateur Sports Improvement Council, has been a strong advocate for youth sports and grassroots development. His organization has encouraged young people to stay active, disciplined, and engaged through sports. Beyond this, he has been a reliable partner of the Baguio Filipino-Chinese Community, especially during the Spring Festival parades, where his group helps ensure order and coordination. His service reflects a deep commitment to youth empowerment and community cooperation. In Community Service, Johan U. Teope, former Director of the Philippine Red Cross Baguio and Real Estate Lessor of Jarco Realty & Development Corporation, has long supported community service and volunteerism. He was instrumental during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic by voluntarily extending monetary assistance to support relief efforts in the city. He has also been a steady supporter of the Baguio Filipino-Chinese Community, helping strengthen cooperation during major activities and events, reflecting a sincere commitment to service, solidarity, and community resilience. As the current President of Tiok Lim Grand Mason Baguio and owner of Jac Seven Enterprises, Businessman Jacky Lim exemplifies how business leadership can serve the wider community. He has consistently supported initiatives of the Baguio Filipino-Chinese Community through partnership, resources, and active participation. His role in both civic and business circles has helped bridge cooperation between groups, showing that entrepreneurship can go hand in hand with service, cultural support, and shared responsibility for community progress. Lastly in Public Service, Betty Fangasan served as City Social Welfare and Development Officer from 1993 to 2022, dedicating nearly three decades to public service. She was recognized as Most Outstanding Local Social Welfare and Development Officer in 2003 and Best Social Worker in 1984. During her years at City Social Welfare and Development Office, she worked closely with the Baguio Filipino-Chinese Community in identifying individuals and families in need, helping connect compassion, resources, and timely support to those who needed it most. Ng also expressed his deep gratitude to the community for supporting the joyful Spring Festival Grand Colorful Parade, to the city government officials who continue to support the Chinoy community, to the stakeholders and media groups. “This occasion would not have been possible without everyone who came together and worked together to bring about the good relationship between the Chinoy and the people of Baguio.”By Zaldy Comanda        

  BAGUIO CITY – The construction of the Baguio City Integrated Terminal (BCIT) is expected to begin in the second quarter of this year, after Megawide and city officials personally conducted a site inspection along Marcos Highway, Barangay Dontogan, Baguio City, on February 18. Megawide Construction Corporation Engineering is the winning company that will build the BCIT at a cost of P1.186 billion on a 5-hectare location along Marcos Highway, about five kilometers from the Central Business District of Baguio City. The contract between Megawide and the city government was signed on January 21, which is the city’s first flagship project under the Private Public Partnership (PPP) scheme, which began negotiations in 2020. During the media presentation of the project, Edgar Saavedra, chairman and chief executive officer of Megawide, said that although we almost went through the eye of a needle, it was a fair contract and a transparent process, before this project was implemented. Saavedra also assured that they will fulfill their obligation to make BCIT a “world-class intermodal terminal” like they made the quality Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) and Clark International Airport also under PPP. “Thank you to the people of Baguio for welcoming us and we will assure the city government, especially the Mayor, that this project will be transparent and we will do what will help to alleviate traffic in the city.” He said that the city really needs this project, so that buses entering the city can operate systematically from a single location, to reduce traffic in the CBD. According to Megawide, BCIT will have quality facilities, with barracks for drivers and a motor pool so that buses will no longer have to be brought to the CBD for check-ups. Megawide also ensured that passengers who get off at BCIT will be provided with protection, as in addition to the public vehicles waiting, they have shuttle buses that will take them to the CBD. Currently, the city government is still arranging the relocation of about 28 households living in the area where BCIT will be built, including the current Materials Recovery Facility, so that the project can begin as soon as possible. “We have already relocated our MRF, not far from the area and its road is being repaired and the households already have a relocation site, so maybe in the second quarter of this year the project will start,” said Mayor Benjanim Magalong. Magalong also explained that all buses, including UV Express, mini-buses will be relocated once the new terminal is built and Victory Liner, which has its own terminal, is still obligated to park its buses at BCIT. In this regard, Arnel Gabaig, Victory-Baguio terminal manager, expressed their support for the planned BCIT. “We will assign more than 50 percent of our buses to this new facility. We will assign the Pangasinan, Olongapo trips to BCIT, so only a few routes will remain at our terminal here.” According to Gabaig, they are also looking for a vacant lot near BCIT to build their own motorpool, so that their buses will not have to go to their terminal for check-ups. The said BCIT will be built within three years, which will provide additional employment, business, revenue and rent of P1.5 monthly to Baguio City for 40 years. (By Zaldy Comanda)              

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) brings its nationwide caravan to the Summer Capital to launch BAGANI: Rising Leaders Development Program, and engages young Cordilleran leaders, highlighting the Academy’s commitment to increasing diverse representation in the governance landscape. The BAGANI team officially introduces the program to city officials and employees during the Flag Raising Ceremony at Baguio City Hall, following a courtesy call with Mayor Benjamin Magalong, a staunch advocate for good governance. The discussion centers on how BAGANI’s program design aligns with Magalong’s advocacy of instilling transparency, innovation, and accountable leadership among the youth. “We are honored to have the support of a leader like Mayor Magalong,” says BANANI Project Manager French B. Bandong. “At the end, our goal is to instill institutional accountability and transparency, not only in the government process but in those who lead it – and through this program, we want young leaders to step up, lead and transform governance for good.” The team also secures the support of the Baguio Youth Development Council (BYDC) in promoting the inviting Cordilleran Youth to join the leadership program. BAGANI is a nationwide leadership program for Filipinos aged 18-30. It is designed for those currently serving in government–including the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK)– as well as student leaders from the universities and vocational institutions who aspire to enter the civil service. The BAGANI Fellowship provides an intensive, one-month residency for 100 selected leaders, featuring workshops, crisis simulations and direct mentorship from seasoned public sector practitioners. Alternatively, the Open Learning Track serves as a flexible, self-pace digital curriculum, allowing participants to master leadership and governance fundamentals at their own convenience while earning official certificates issued by DAP. As a government-funded initiative, BAGANI is provided free of charge to all qualified participants. The deadline for the Fellowship track is March 22, 2026, while applications for Open Learning access remain available until July 2026. About the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP): The DAP is a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) serving as a center for excellence in public sector productivity, leadership development, and strategic research. It is the Philippines’ National Productivity Organization to the Asian Productivity Organization (APO), driving productivity across key economic sectors. DAP brings BAGANI to Baguio; Mayor Magalong backs drive for youth in governance The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) brings its nationwide caravan to the Summer Capital to launch BAGANI: Rising Leaders Development Program, and engages young Cordilleran leaders, highlighting the Academy’s commitment to increasing diverse representation in the governance landscape. The BAGANI team officially introduces the program to city officials and employees during the Flag Raising Ceremony at Baguio City Hall, following a courtesy call with Mayor Benjamin Magalong, a staunch advocate for good governance. The discussion centers on how BAGANI’s program design aligns with Magalong’s advocacy of instilling transparency, innovation, and accountable leadership among the youth. “We are honored to have the support of a leader like Mayor Magalong,” says BANANI Project Manager French B. Bandong. “At the end, our goal is to instill institutional accountability and transparency, not only in the government process but in those who lead it – and through this program, we want young leaders to step up, lead and transform governance for good.” The team also secures the support of the Baguio Youth Development Council (BYDC) in promoting the inviting Cordilleran Youth to join the leadership program. BAGANI is a nationwide leadership program for Filipinos aged 18-30. It is designed for those currently serving in government–including the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK)– as well as student leaders from the universities and vocational institutions who aspire to enter the civil service. The BAGANI Fellowship provides an intensive, one-month residency for 100 selected leaders, featuring workshops, crisis simulations and direct mentorship from seasoned public sector practitioners. Alternatively, the Open Learning Track serves as a flexible, self-pace digital curriculum, allowing participants to master leadership and governance fundamentals at their own convenience while earning official certificates issued by DAP. As a government-funded initiative, BAGANI is provided free of charge to all qualified participants. The deadline for the Fellowship track is March 22, 2026, while applications for Open Learning access remain available until July 2026. About the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP): The DAP is a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) serving as a center for excellence in public sector productivity, leadership development, and strategic research. It is the Philippines’ National Productivity Organization to the Asian Productivity Organization (APO), driving productivity across key economic sectors. For more information, please contact: French Bandong Project Manager rldp@dap.edu.ph

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Smoke-Free Task Force of the City Health Services Office (CHSO) in Baguio City conducted a Ceremonial Destruction and Disposal of confiscated cigarettes and vapes on February 13, 2026 at Malcolm Square, with the theme “Unwanted 2026: Love Your Lungs, Heart, and Brain”. The destroyed items were seized from schools, illegal sales, smuggled products, and prohibited use of tobacco and vape products. The event aims to raise awareness among residents and tourists about the city’s firm commitment to protecting the public health and promoting healthy lifestyle by discouraging the use of cigarette and vape products. Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes, City Health Officer, made a call to the people of Baguio to be active and take part in helping to end smokingand vaping in the city. She also reiterated that it is the social responsibility of everyone to avoid smoking and vaping, especially in public places. In the opening remarks of Mayor Benjamin Magalong, he reminded the public that Baguio is a smoke-free city, and the only place where they are allowed to smoke is in their own residences, and if they smoke at public places in the city, they will face the consequences. The city officials also emphasized the need to strengthen and intensify the guidelines for the effective implementation of the Smoke-Free Baguio Ordinance. Councilor Joel Alangsab, the principal author of the ordinance, warned the younger generation, who are the primary target market of cigarettes and vape companies, to be mindful of the harmful health effects of these products. He added, “ Let us continue to make Baguio a smoke-free, vape-free, and tobacco-free City. The confiscated items, with an estimated total value of 5 million pesos, were collected from August 2024 up to the day of the ceremonial destruction. (By Jirah Garing)