BAGUIO CITY, Philippines  – The local government needs around PhP350 million to fully rehabilitate the Maharlika Livelihood Center to achieve the city’s desire to make the facility one of the major economic enterprises where local micro-small and medium enterprises can to thrive. City Budget officer Leticia O. Clemente, who is also the chairperson of the Maharlika Livelihood Center Transition Committee, said that the city government already submitted a proposal to the Office of the President requesting financial assistance for the implementation of the simultaneous rehabilitation of the facility to avoid unnecessary inconveniences on the part of the existing tenants. She admitted that local fund sources are not sufficient to fund a sustained implementation of the desired rehabilitation of the facility and that it will surely take a longer period of time to do so if the city is to totally fund the rehabilitation. Initially, the city budget officer claimed that the city government will prioritize the implementation of minor improvements in the different parts of the facility aside from the implementation of the rehabilitation of the burned basement to allow better business climate in the different portions of the center. Clemente stated that aside from the implementation of the various works that had already been funded by limited local sources, the city is also working on the enforcing policies governing the lessees in the different portions of the center to enhance their business operations in the future. Earlier, the State-owned Human Settlements Development Corporation (HSDC), an attached agency of the agriculture department, formally turned over to the city government the management of the Maharlika Livelihood Center following the lapse of the 50-year contract that allowed the agency to administer, manage and operate the facility. The city government department head expressed hope that the Office of the President will grant the requested financial assistance earlier submitted so that a significant improvement could be introduced in the facility that will allow improved conduct of business in its various portions.    

By Pigeon Lobien   BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Nearly 60 members of the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters were officially insured by the M. Lhuillier Insurance. This after president Dionisio Dennis, Jr. and immediate president Thomas Picana paid the two policies offered by MLI last Wednesday at the Solibao Restaurant at Burnham. Picana, who heads the Media Golf Team, which raised the money to pay for the two year premium for BCBC members 65 years and younger and eight additional members 66 years and older but not older then 75 years old had been enrolled. “Finally, we were able to enroll our members and pay for their premiums as we initially promised,” said Picana, the Amianan Balita Ngayon publisher and editor. The golf was staged in January 25 this year at the Baguio Country Club golf course. The team was composed of former BCBC presidents led by then incumbent president Picana, co-chair Harley Palangchao, Roderick Osis, Jordan Tablac, Migs Velarde, Frank Cimatu, Joseph Cabanas, Dennis and this writer, was able to raise the funds for the insurance policies that will be for two years. The first of the group policies that is open that qualifies individuals ages between 18 and 65 years old has the following benefits: Accidental Death of P250,000.00, Total Permanent Disability of P250,000.00, Unprovoked Murder & Assault of P125,000.00, Motorcycling Coverage of P125,000.00, Accidental Medical Reimbursement (Due to accident) of Up to P25,000.00, Accidental Medical Reimbursement (Due to motorcycling) of Up to P12,500.00, Daily Hospital Confinement Benefit of P2,500/day (maximum of 20 days), Burial Assistance (Following accidental death) of P25,000.00, Burial Assistance (Due to natural death, except for pre-existing illnesses) of P12,500.00, Fire Cash Assistance of PhP2,500.00, Ambulance Benefit / Emergency Medical Transport of PhP2,500.00 and Repatriation of Mortal Remains of PhP5,000.00. Meanwhile, the second policy has the following benefits to the insure whose maximum age is 75 years old: Accidental Death of P250,000.00, Total Permanent Disability (due to accident) of P250,000.00, Unprovoked Murder & Assault of P250,000.00, Motorcycling Coverage of P250,000, Accidental Medical Reimbursement of up to PhP25,000.00, Daily Hospital Confinement Benefit (Due to Accident) of P500/day (max of 15 days), Burial Assistance (Following accidental death) of P5.000 and Fire Cash Assistance of PhP5,000. Picana said that the club will also pay for same policy next year or a total of two years for insured members 65 years old and younger, while the “super senior” that are older than 56 but not exceeding 75 years old will have policies for three years. The fund intended for the payment next year and the next will be deposited in a separate account at the Philippine Veterans Bank. Dennis and treasurer Rose Malekchan will open said bank account after the approval of a board resolution to that effect. Dennis said that the individual policies will be given to all the 58 BCBC members soon, “maybe when we have the EPIRA wokshop with the Benguet Electric Cooperative,” said the DZWT commentator. Dennis said the provision of insurance was one of the last remaining projects of his administration which will also amend the club’s constitution and by-laws with the planned Christmas Party on December 13 as general assembly. The referendum is eyed during the BCBC election early next year when the club also elects the new set of officers and directors.                  

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The Best Performing Barangays in different categories are awarded in the presence of the respective grassroot level unit officials, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director Atty. Anthony Nuyda as keynote speaker, Baguio City Field Office (BCFO) Director Millicent Carino, Congressman Mauricio Domogan, Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Vice-Mayor Faustino Olowan who share their messages during the program today, Nov. 21, at the Newtown events center,Baguio City. In the DILG Best Performing Barangays Kalinisan Program; Halina’t Magtanim ng Prutas at Gulay (HAPAG) sa Barangay, Slaughterhouse (Santo Nino), Scout Barrio, Middle Rock Quarry, Atok Trail and Upper Market Subdivision topped the category while for the Barangay Kalinisan Day (BARKADA); Middle Rock Quarry, Andres Bonifacio, BAL-Marcoville, Brookspoint, Lower Lourdes Subdivision, Fort del Pilar, West Bayan Park, North Central Aurora Hill, Kabayanihan, Malcolm Square-Perfecto, Imelda Village, Scout Barrio and Magsaysay Private Road are all winners. Still with the DILG Kalinisan Program, the Barangay Road Clearing Operations (BARCO), barangays Camdas, Gabriela Silang, Scout Barrio, Quezon Hill Proper, Aurora Hill Proper, Andres Bonifacio, Manuel Roxas and Guisad Surong acquired the score for the win. In the category Social Protection and Sensitivity; the most outstanding barangays are: For Nutrition – Atok Trail, For Persons with Disability (PWD)-Friendly – Slaughter House Area (Santo Nino), For Sustainable Local Development – Country Club Village, For Reading Center – Upper Rock Quarry, For Child-friendly – Upper Rock Quarry, For Senior Citizen’s Organization – Gabriela Silang, For Women’s Organization – Atok Trail, For Gender and Development – Happy Hallow, In Environmental Management, the most outstanding in health, sanitation and environmental protection and management is Scout Barrio barangay. The most outstanding business-friendly and competitive barangay is South Sanitary Camp. The most outstanding in financial housekeeping is Hillside, while for disaster risk reduction and management, the most outstanding is Palma Urbano. For Safety Peace and Order, Abanao-Zandueta-Chugum-Kayang-Otek (AZCKO) has the most Outstanding Barangay Lupong Tagapamayapa; while runner-ups are Palma and Slaughter house area. Special Citations are given to Legarda-Burnham, Middle Rock Quarry, Upper Rock Quarry, East Bayan Park, Loakan Proper, Poliwes, Lourdes Subdivision Extension, Irisan, Quezon Hill Proper and Magsaysay Private road as they have outstanding ratings for their Lupon. The most outstanding barangay in Peace and Order and Drug Prevention is Middle Quirino Hill. For the Seal of Good Local Governance for Barangays (SGLGB), this is an assessment and recognition system to distinguish local government units with outstanding performance. The passers for SGLGB are: Alfonso Tabora Andres Bonifacio Atok Trail Aurora Hill Proper AZCKO Bakakeng Central Camdas Camp 7 Camp Allen City Camp Central City Camp Proper Dominican Hill-Mirador East Bayan Park Engineers Hill Fort Del Pilar Hillside Holy Ghost Extension Honeymoon Imelda Village Kabayanihan Kias Legarda-Burnham-Kisad Loakan Liwanag Loakan Proper Lourdes Extension Subdivision Lourdes Lower Subdivision Lower Quirino Hill Lower Rock Quarry Magsaysay Private Road Middle Quirino Hill Middle Rock Quarry MRR Queen of Peace Palma-Urbano Poliwes San Antonio Village San Roque Village Santo Tomas Proper Scout Barrio South Drive Teodora Alonzo Trancoville Upper Market Subdivision Upper Quezon Hill Upper Quirino-Magsaysay Upper Rock Quarry West Quirino Hill The outstanding barangay districts are: District 5, for Financial Administration and Sustainability; in Disaster Preparedness; Safety, Peace and Order; Business-Friendliness and Competitiveness; District 12, for Social Protection and Sensitivity; and District 3, for Environmental Management. After assessment by the Government and City Performance and Assessment Team (GPATS/CPATs) the Sustainable Development through Meaningful Participation, Accountability, Responsive and Transparent (SMART) barangay governance awards for the Overall Best Performing Barangays are: Gibraltar Gabriela Silang Hillside Santa Escolastica Legarda-Burnham-Kisad City Camp Central City Camp Proper GEFA – Lower Quirino Magsaysay Palma Urban Upper Quirino Magsaysay Middle Rock Quarry Andres Bonifacio MRR Queen of Peace Guisad Surong Camdas Subdivision Middle Quirino Hill West Quirino Hill North Central Aurora Hill East Bayan Park San Antonio Village Happy Hallow Lucnab Outlook Drive South Drive Atok Trail Liwanag-Loakan Camp 8 Military Cut-off San Vicente Lourdes Subdivision Extension Lower Lourdes Subdivision Upper Quezon Hill Magsaysay Private road South Sanitary Camp Trancoville Holy Ghost Extension Holy Ghost Proper Honeymoon-Holy Ghost The seven top barangays for the Best Performing Barangays are: Imelda Marcos, AZCKO, Victoria Village, Upper Rock Quarry, Brookside, Slaughter House Area (Santo Nino) and Lower Rock Quarry who receives Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000) each. The Grand Champion or Most Outstanding barangay is Scout Barrio with a prize of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Pesos (P150,000.00), followed by runner-up Country Club Village with a prize of a Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00). Another runner-up, Kabayanihan barangay receives Seventy-Five (P75,000.00) cash award. All the barangays underwent stringent evaluation and assessment from the GPATS and CPATS from July onwards, in coordination with the DILG Field Office. – jgfianza, with reports from the Special Services Division – City Mayors Office (SSD – CMO)    

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Mayor Benjie Magalong attended the 12th Philippines I Transform! Leaders’ Convention, the young leaders from across the country gathered for a powerful multi-day engagement on transformational leadership and climate action. With the theme “A Decade of Action: From Ridge to Reef, Saving Our Planet,” Mayor Benjie emphasized the urgency of collective action in the face of climate change, environmental challenges, and widening social inequalities. He commended the youth for their passion, intelligence, and commitment, reminding them that they have long been leaders not just of tomorrow, but of today, already influencing communities through over 43 youth-led catalyst projects nationwide. In his message, he emphasized: Leadership grounded in integrity and purpose; Knowledge as both power and protection—especially against corruption and disinformation; The importance of voter registration, participation, and civic engagement; Creativity as a tool to inspire change and reshape narratives; The duty to demand accountability and speak truth to power and Living the change—leading by example in both small and big decisions He encouraged delegates to carry forward the fire of transformation as they return to their schools, communities, and organizations—reminding them that the future is shaped not by chance but by the courageous leadership they practice today. Mabuhay ang kabataang Pilipino. (By MRM/Photo EO)  

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines—Mayor Benjamin Magalong proudly accepted multiple major honors at The Manila Times Philippine Model Cities & Municipalities Awards 2025 on November 14, 2025, solidifying Baguio City’s reputation as a leader in sustainability, governance, and people-focused development. Top Winner – Eco-Friendly Award Top Winner – Livelihood and Employment-Centered Award 1st Runner-Up – Business Friendly Award 2nd Runner-Up – Philippine Model City “ Thank you to all our residents, partners, and sectors whose hard work, unity, and innovation make Baguio City shine. This recognition belongs to all of us, and we will continue striving for a greener, stronger, and more inclusive future. Maraming salamat po,” Magalong said  

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – More than P1.6 billion will be earmarked by the public works department for various horizontal and vertical projects in the city under the approved House version of the P6.79 trillion national budget next year. Rep. Mauricio G. Domogan said that more than P1.047 billion will be allocated for various horizontal projects while more than P371 million will be used for the put up of several school buildings in the city by next year once the same will not be amended in the Senate. Further, he claimed that his office was able to work out that the P150 million that was earlier earmarked for flood-related projects in the city will instead be used for various vertical projects in the different parts of the city so that the funds will not be diverted to other projects outside the city. Domogan pointed out that the decision to divert the funds allocated for flood-related projects to important vertical projects such as school buildings is aligned with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to scrap some P255 billion that had been programmed for flood control projects around the country under the proposed 2026 annual budget. According to him, part of his job as a lawmaker is to see to it that Baguio will be able to be getting its equitable share from the government’s limited resources being allocated for priority development projects around the country. However, he stipulated that the list of the funded projects cannot yet be released because the approved House version of the annual budget is still being deliberated in the Senate and will undergo the bicameral conference committee in the coming weeks to synchronize conflicting provisions before being transmitted to the Office of the President for signature to enact the 2026 annual budget. The lawmaker pointed out that the final list of approved projects will only be available after the President has signed the annual budget approved in both chambers of Congress into law. The President targets to sign the approved annual budget for 2026 before the end of the year to avoid the implementation of a re-enacted budget. (Baguio PIO)      

BAGUIO CITY — Mayor Benjamin Magalong is urging the youth to lead with purpose, awareness, and accountability to be informed, proactive, and courageous in standing for truth and good governance. “Leadership is no longer about titles or positions, but about purpose and responsibility. The future is not waiting for you—it is being written by you, today,” he stressed during the Training Session for Student Leadership held recently in the Summer Capital. Spearheaded by the National Association of Public Secondary Schools of the Philippines (NASSPHIL), the gathering aims to equip young leaders with the skills, values and vision to lead with integrity and compassion. He encouraged participants, composed of students, principals and educators to educate and enlighten themselves to fight disinformation; participate and mobilize for democracy; create and communicate positive change through creativity; demand accountability in their communities; and live the change they want to see. “May I remind everyone that true transformation begins with character and that the youth, armed with courage and conscience, can redefine the nation’s future,” he said. Meanwhile, Mayor Magalong also joined young leaders at the 3rd National Youth Summit on Transformational Leadership and Governance, organized by the Association of Filipino Youth for Civic Action (AFYCA), on Oct. 31, in the city. He encouraged them to lead with heart, uphold integrity and serve with empathy as catalysts of transformation in their schools, communities and the nation. “We live in defining times—when truth is tested and values are challenged. But it is precisely in these moments that real leaders must rise, not with arrogance, but with humility; not with fear, but with faith and conviction,” the Mayor stressed.-Mark Ryan Montes and Gaby Keith

BAGUIO CITY — The city government needs around P27 million to rehabilitate the basement of the Maharlika Livelihood Center that was razed by an 8-hour fire in early September to allow displaced stallholders to resume their business activities. City Budget officer Leticia O. Clemente, who chairs the Maharlika Livelihood Center to Transition Committee, said that the request for funding was already forwarded to the city council for approval so that the basement can be immediately rehabilitated for the resumption of the business operations in the said area. She claimed that part of the work to be done in the basement is the installation of the sister and the rehabilitation of the electrical system to ensure that this conforms with the standards under the Philippine Electrical Code and National Building Code to prevent the occurrence of similar incidents in the future. At the same time, the city budget officer stated that the city government also requested the Office of the President for financial assistance to implement the partial rehabilitation of the center after the facility was turned over to the city last May following the lapse of the 50-year lease agreement between the city and the Human Settlements Development Corporation (HSDC) under the agriculture department. Earlier, the City Buildings and Architecture office estimated some PhP350 million will be needed by the city government to fully rehabilitate the Maharlika Livelihood Center to serve as one of the city’s major economic enterprises in the future. However, Clemente stated that the city government will explore the possibility of accessing the financial assistance from the Office of the President and whatever available fund sources in the future to be able to implement the desired full rehabilitation of the facility to serve its purpose as a center of economic activities of the city’s micro-, small, and medium enterprises. (Baguio PIO)

CAMP JOHN HAY, Baguio City, Philippines — Camp John Hay’s Yellow Trail, long celebrated as one of Baguio City’s premier birding destinations, became the unexpected stage for a rare wildlife encounter when a juvenile Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda) was discovered. On November 10, at the onset of Typhoon Uwan, two security personnel from the John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) spotted a disoriented bird while patrolling the trail. The juvenile appeared exhausted and unable to fly properly, clear signs of distress likely caused by the storm. Recognizing its condition, the JHMC security team acted swiftly to ensure the bird’s safe capture and immediate care. The juvenile was then entrusted to the Environment and Asset Management Department (EAMD), which promptly coordinated with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – Conservation Development Division for proper handling. The red-tailed tropicbird is a striking species, distinguished by its long white tail streamers tipped in red and its graceful flight. Typically found soaring over tropical seas and diving for fish near coral reefs, it is rarely seen inland. Its presence in Camp John Hay is a highly unusual reminder of how extreme weather events can displace marine species far from their natural habitats. The DENR emphasized that rescues like this highlight the broader environmental toll of typhoons, which can force marine wildlife into unfamiliar territories. Camp John Hay’s trails, including the Yellow Trail, are already renowned for their rich avian diversity, attracting birding enthusiasts from across the country. This unexpected visitor now adds to the site’s growing reputation as a sanctuary not only for local species but also for displaced wildlife seeking refuge.