By Stephanie Nicole Peligman   BAGUIO CITY – Fresh off their success at WorldSkills, the TESDA Cordillera State Institute of Technical Education (CSITE) has once again demonstrated its leadership in hospitality training, earning top honors at the 18th Annual Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism (HRT) Month and 16th National Food Showdown. The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio (HRAB) organized the event and held it at the Baguio Country Club from October 9 to 11, 2025. CSITE stood out as the only Public technical-vocational institution competing against leading universities and colleges. Competing against the region’s top hospitality and culinary schools, CSITE students earned prestigious awards in highly competitive categories. Their gold medal victories include: Gold Medal – Klasika Moderna Kulinarya “Pagsasalo ng Kalikasan at Kultura”: Culinary students Agee C. Docayso, Lawrence C. Serrano, and Gibran A. Sudango earned the Gold Medal after besting 17 other teams. Gold Medal – Best Traditional/Modern Regional Cooking Technique: Adrian S. Demandante and Muhammad Sarim P. Rehman took home the gold for their innovative “Italian Pasta with Native Bird” dish, winning against 14 contenders from different regions. In service excellence, the institute was also strongly represented: Silver Medal – Bellman’s Hour “Trust and Confidence” Competition (Student Division): Adrian B. Rimando secured a Silver Medal among 21 regional competitors. Diploma Award – Bellman’s Hour “Trust and Confidence” Competition (Student Division): Gene Ian C. Ingalla also received recognition in the highly contested Bellman event. A Legacy of Continued Success Guiding the team to victory were coaches Chef Mary Kristine Iris Pasion (Culinary), Assistant Expert Joshua Lizardo (Culinary), Coach Leomar Nepomuceno (Bellman’s), and Assistant Coach Resty Odasing (Bellman’s). “Our students’ success at HRAB reflects not only their skill and discipline but also the quality of training and mentorship that TESDA CSITE provides,” said Daisy C. Bungallon, CSITE Executive Director. “Coming so soon after their WorldSkills achievements, this win proves our commitment to maintaining a world-class standard.” These victories reinforce CSITE’s steadfast commitment to advancing technical education and solidifying the Cordillera region’s strong representation in national and international hospitality events.          

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Some 3,383 senior citizens from the different communities of the Cordillera who reached their milestone ages pursuant to the Expanded Centenarian Act will be receiving their prescribed cash benefits from the Cordillera office of the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC-CAR). Lawyer Luz Laureta-Balisong, NCSC-CAR regional director, said that more than PhP36 million was earmarked by the Commission purposely for the cash benefits of those senior citizens that reached their milestone ages of 80, 85, 90, 95 and 100. Of this number of senior citizens who reached their milestone ages, 2,212 are females while 1,171 are males. Under the Expanded Centenarian Act, senior citizens who reached the milestone ages of 80, 85, 90 and 95 will be entitled to receive cash incentives of PhP10,000 while those who reached the age of 100 will be getting P100,000 from the government. Based on the data obtained from the NCSC-CAR, 1,532 seniors composed of 985 females and 538 males reached the age of 80; 1008 elderly composed of 737 females and 371 males reached the age of 85; 558 senior composed of 360 females and 198 males reached the age of 90; 166 senior composed of 109 females and 57 males reached the age of 95 and 28 senior composed of 21 females and 7 males have reached the age of 100. Last year, the NCSC-CAR disbursed more than PhP35 million in cash benefits of some 3,211 seniors who reached the milestone ages which was composed of 2,122 females and 1089 males. The NCSC-CAR official advised the senior citizens or family members of seniors who are reach their milestone ages to file their applications for the release of their cash benefits six months prior to their birthdays. However, she clarified that for those who forgot that they have reached their milestone ages, they can still apply for the release of their benefits before they celebrate their birthdays for the coming year to avoid the forfeiture of the said benefits granted to them by law. Balisong also reminded senior citizens who have not yet registered with the NCSC to fill out the registration form in the website, www.ncsc.gov.ph, for the Commission to be able to establish a clear database of senior citizens in the country.

BAGUIO CITY – Close to 200 business establishments at Session Road and Gov. Pack Road were subjected to sanitary inspections in the first of the massive operations carried out starting last Oct. 1 by the Environmental Health and Sanitation Division of the City Health Services Office. This was in line with the order of Mayor Benjamin Magalong on the strict implementation of the Sanitation Code with focus on maintaining clean and well-equipped restrooms across the city. Sanitation Division Chief Engr. Albert Pay-an said that of the 199 establishments inspected, 127 were found fully compliant with the sanitary provisions stipulated in Presidential Decree 856. Meanwhile, 72 establishments were found to be in violation of sanitation standards and were consequently issued sanitary orders to address their deficiencies. Apart from the condition of toilet and handwashing facilities, sanitation inspectors also checked on the establishments’ compliance with laws and requirements on food preparation and service, drinking water quality and proper waste storage. The sale of “pasalubong” or local delicacies was also examined ensuring that all food products had proper labeling, valid expiration dates and were sold in safe condition. Compliance with business permit requirements was also considered. Pay-an said establishment owners and managers have been advised to strictly adhere to the Sanitation Code, which mandates safe food handling procedures, availability of potable water, adequate hygiene facilities, and consistent sanitary maintenance within their premises. Complementary inspections were also being done by the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) which included monitoring of the upkeep of the store frontage and premises pursuant to the anti-littering ordinance of the city. The activity will continue to ensure sustained compliance to the sanitation code. The move is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to raise sanitation standards and promote a healthier environment for residents and tourists. ( Aileen P. Refuerzo-Baguio PIO)  

The Baguio Water District (BWD) has been recognized as one of the forty-one (41) 2025 Utility of the Future Today (UotFT) Honorees, achieving a historic milestone as the first Philippine water utility to join this distinguished roster of leading water agencies worldwide. The recognition was formally conferred during the 2025 Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) at McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois, USA, on September 30. Representing the District were Ms. Luzvimin G. Ramos, Internal Audit Division Manager and Atty. Ariana G. Pacunayen, Corporate Attorney B. BWD is only the sixth non-U.S. and non-Canadian water agency to be named to the list since the program’s launch in 2016. Previous international honorees include Aarhus Vand and VCS Denmark (both from Denmark, 2016), Queensland Urban Utilities (Australia, 2019), Watercare Services Limited (Auckland, New Zealand, 2019), and the Dubai Municipality, Department of Sewage and Recycled Water Networks (United Arab Emirates, 2023). Since its inception, the program has recognized 241 water agencies worldwide. The UotFT Recognition Program celebrates forward-thinking water utilities that move beyond traditional water supply and wastewater management services to become leaders in resource recovery and sustainable water management. Spearheaded by the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the WateReuse Association, and the U.S. Water Alliance, with input from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the program highlights excellence in five key areas: (1) Water Reuse – recycling treated water for sustainable use; (2) Resource Recovery – harnessing energy and nutrients from water systems; (3) Watershed Stewardship – protecting and enhancing local water resources; (4) Energy Efficiency – reducing energy consumption and carbon footprint; and (5) Community Engagement – building partnerships with stakeholders and the public for long-term impact. As a first-time honoree, BWD was cited for its outstanding work in watershed stewardship and environmental protection – a critical mission for a city dependent on fragile watershed reservations as its primary water source. Central to its effort is the “Adopt-A-Watershed” program, which mobilizes schools, government agencies, civic groups, and non-government organizations (NGOs) in tree planting, nurturing, and clean-up activities. These initiatives not only safeguard water sources but also strengthen community ownership of environmental sustainability. “Being recognized as a Utility of the Future Today honoree affirms BWD’s long-standing commitment to balancing the water needs of Baguio residents with the responsibility of protecting our watersheds for future generations,” said BWD General Manager Engr. Salvador M. Royeca. “This recognition belongs not just to our institution, but to the community we serve—because true watershed stewardship is a shared responsibility.” he added. Watershed stewardship underscores the belief that all natural systems are interconnected. Through adaptive management, long-term vision, and collective action, BWD continues to ensure that Baguio’s vital water resources remain sustainable amid urbanization and climate challenges. With this international honor, BWD now stands among the elite group of global utilities driving innovative, sustainable, and community-centered water management practices – a milestone achievement that firmly places the Philippines on the map of global water sector leadership. -BWD  

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Mayor Benjamin Magalong is pushing for the adoption of blockchain technology as a tool to enhance transparency, accountability, and integrity in public service. This is a position paper he delivered before a Senate Committee on Science and Technology hearing recently. Magalong said, “Blockchain technology was really designed to secure documents.” “The core of our initiative is simple. The entire country has been in the public eye, nationally and globally, in another corruption scandal,” the Magalong said as he stressed the urgent need to break the country’s long-standing cycle of “structural, systemic, well-organized and highly syndicated” corruption. He said that trust is the cornerstone of any institution and that “every Filipino deserves government systems that are not only efficient but also inherently trustworthy.” He cited Baguio’s commitment to digital governance and participation by being only among four local government units in the country to have joined the Open Government Partnership (OGP) which is a global network promoting transparency and citizen engagement. “The OGP follows a basic principle that local government that practices transparency, accountability, and strong citizens’ participation are more progressive in terms of growth and development. And that’s the reason why Baguio City is a member,” he said. “We are not afraid because it’s about transparency. If you’re not doing anything wrong, you shouldn’t be afraid. And that’s why we’re pursuing an open government policy,” Magalong added. He said the city has collaborated with Bayani Chain, a blockchain platform designed to strengthen public accountability by providing permanent audit trails and promoting participatory governance. Magalong also underscored the project’s rapid pace of implementation. “We are going live on October 15, just one month after starting the partnership,” he revealed. City Management Information Technology Division (MITD) chief Francis Camarao said blockchain technology is a digital system that stores information and make it immutable, transparent and resistant to tampering or hacking. Magalong said the greatest challenge lies not in the technology itself, he said, but in the willingness to open data, including critical information such as programs of work, contracts, bidding documents, and technical plans which Baguio is “very much willing to do.” Magalong cited the ability of blockchain technology to ensure permanent traceability and auditability of infrastructure documents and procurement records as a key advantage over traditional systems. To ensure that it is people-driven and not just technology-driven, he said the city, spearheaded by the MITD, is currently conducting training and knowledge-sharing sessions for its personnel.        

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The city government has entered into a pioneering accord with private consulting and mentoring firm Alliance for Improving Health Outcomes (AIHO) Inc. to pilot a social contracting arrangement for its public health programs which will initially focus on tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Under the Memorandum of Agreement signed on Sept. 9 by Mayor Benjamin Magalong and AIHO project lead Dr. Zhamir Umag, the two parties will collaborate on a technical assistance project for the city to advance its social contracting efforts to strengthen engagements with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and enhance health service delivery. Social contracting involves governments tapping non-governmental organizations (NGOs) like the CBOs to deliver services thereby leveraging the expertise and community connections of these CBOs to effectively reach its target clients. Under the agreement, the AIHO will conduct organizational readiness, organizational capacity and fiscal landscape assessments of the city government; mentor and coach CBOs to enhance their organizational and technical capabilities; and provide assistance in drafting a technical advisory or policy brief on social contracting and support during policy advocacy efforts related to the social contracting. For its part, the city will provide AIHO the needed information and key personnel to facilitate the assessments, capacity building and policy development processes; select and ensure active participation of the CBOs and support the capacity building activities The agreement will be in effect for one year. City Health Officer Dr. Celia Flore Brillantes who will serve as the city’s focal person said the project’s focus will be on TB and HIV, two areas included in the eight-point action agenda or priority programs of the Dept. of Health (DOH). The agenda includes expanding access to TB and HIV screening and treatment for vulnerable populations, aligning with the national goal of ensuring universal access to healthcare.(By Aileen P. Refuerzo)    

By Aileen P. Refuerzo   BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Remember the “Basurahang Taraki” (Baraki) or smart garbage bin invention pitched by college students to the city government last year? The city is set to deploy the first batch of finished products soon in a bid to improve waste disposal practices, according to the General Services Office (GSO) Head Eugene Buyucan. The baraki trash bin features a motion sensor that detects when an individual stands in front of the bin to place trash and allows it to self-open and close. It is also equipped with solar-powered electrical wirings that serve as an alarm system to facilitate real-time monitoring of the fill level ensuring timely collection and reducing the burden of manual surveillance. It has a weather proof design and since it is not designed for mixed waste, has a trash detector to refuse wet items, thereby promoting proper waste segregation. The apparatus was developed by University of the Cordilleras computer engineering students Kyle Rusell Lucero, Aeryk John Mosquete and Samuel Sta. Cruz in 2023 as an innovative invention to help prevent overflowing trash bins. In July 2023, Mayor Benjamin Magalong and the GSO allowed the students to pilot test their invention at the Rose Garden and when proven feasible, the city decided to adopt the technology and provided support to the students to further develop the invention. Two of the students were eventually hired by the GSO last June to undertake the project. Buyucan said four units were fabricated and two are being polished for deployment in strategic places soon.

By Rose Frejane A.Cruz BAGUIO CITY, Philippines  – More than five tons of pasta with various flavors prepared by the Hotel and Restaurant Association in Baguio (HRAB) were tasted by the public during their opening ceremony of the 18th Annual Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism (HRT) Month held at the Atrium of SM City Baguio, on October 2. This year’s HRAB Pasta Festival saw various delicious pasta creations from the association’s famous members, which were tasted by attendees at the occasion. According to HRAB Chairman Jeff Ng, the well-known and popular restaurants and hotels had their own pasta creations from Baguio Country Club, El Cielito Hotel Baguio, Hill Station, Lafayette Luxury Suites, Le Monet Hotel, MV Alabanza Longganisa, Sotogrande Baguio, The John Hay Hotels and Fairways and Greens Bed & Breakfast/The Other Office by Baguio Country Club. The 15 big pans, each with a 28-foot opening, are divided into several slices that measure 5 feet by 14 feet. “The assorted pasta used uncooked weighs about 2,800 kilograms or 5.6 tons when cooked with ingredients can serve 15,000 people,” said Ng. The ingredients are 100 kilos of fresh tuna, 300 liters of olive oil. 300 kilos of Pork Lengua, 150 kilos of chicken, Longganisa (Hamonado,Garlic,Vigan), 50 kilos of Kiniing, 20 kilos of Etag, 500 cans of Spanish sardines, 150 kilos of Cheese, 30 kilos of Pesto leaves, 30 Red Green Pepper each, 120 kilos of nuts, 80 kilos of sundried tomatoes, 20 liters of milk, 10 kilos of lemon, 20 kilos of carrots, 10 kilos of black beans, 20 bottles of oyster sauce and 20 liters of sesame oil. According to HRAB President Anthony De Leon, many events will be held on this occasion, such as the 16th National Food Showdown-Regional, which will be attended by culinary-arts students from various universities. De Leon also introduced the eight HRAB scholars this year from various universities in Baguio and the Cordillera.” HRAB, which started in 2003, has become an affiliate of tourism industry promotions and is strengthening the skills of culinary arts students, not only locally, but also regionally and nationally.”