BAGUIO CITY, Philippines  – Mayor Benjamin Magalong has strongly denied the rumors circulating that he has resigned as Mayor, after he was appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., as special adviser and investigator to the independent commission investigating corruption in the government’s flood control program. “I did not resign. I remain your duly elected Mayor, fully committed to serving our city of Baguio. Although I am part of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to help look into alleged anomalies in flood control projects, this will not affect my mandate as Mayor. My primary duty and priority remains the people of Baguio,” Magalong said. He said that as a public servant and citizen, his duty is clear and he will remain true to his promise to serve the community with honesty and responsibility. “When we stand by these values, we create a stronger and more trustworthy Baguio for all.” It can be recalled that PBBM selected Magalong as Special Adviser and Investigator, trusting that from over 38 years of investigative experience with the Philippine National Police (PNP), he brings a proven track record in handling high-profile cases, including leading the Board of Inquiry (BOI) investigation into the Mamasapano incident. Trained in crisis management and hostage negotiations with the FBI, his expertise reinforces the commission’s mandate to pursue the truth with rigor. As Special Adviser and Investigator, Magalong will not serve as a formal member of the commission, but will provide assistance by submitting documents and evidence independently gathered in his work. This role allows him to lend his investigative expertise without compromising his primary responsibility as Mayor of Baguio City, where he remains committed to hands-on leadership and good governance. According to Magalong, he accepted this responsibility with the same values ​​he upholds in Baguio: accountability, transparency, and integrity in governance. He asked for support in his renewed commitment to fairness and integrity. “Every investigation must be guided only by the truth and the best interests of the people; impartial, guided only by accountability and transparency.”          

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – “Start the week with courage and integrity: values that drive us not just in our work, but in our duty to fight for our country.” Mayor Benjamin Magalong, said that social activism is part of civic action and a reminder that standing up against corruption is standing up for the people. “Here in Baguio, we ensure that our city remains a safe space where voices calling for accountability, transparency, and good governance are heard and protected.,” Magalong  said. “Together, let us keep the fire of integrity burning and lead the way to a just and honest future,” he added. Earlier, the Mayor joined the Baguio-Benguet Laban sa Korupsyon Protest Rally at Malcolm Square, standing in solidarity with the people’s call for transparency, accountability, and good governance.-Gaby B. Keith with reports from CMO Socmed team

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The City General Services Office (GSO) said that residents and businesses in the city produce around five hundred fifty tons of mixed waste daily that makes solid waste management one of the local government’s primordial concerns that needs varied solutions. GSO head Eugene Buyucan said that some 300 tons of the city’s generated waste are collected, 100 tons are recyclables and the remaining volume is being managed by the big companies operating in the different parts of the city. He admitted that there is an increasing volume of generated waste in the city because of the continuous increase in people migrating from other places and businesses wanting to operate in the urban center. However, the GSO official claimed that with the ongoing strict implementation of segregation at source, the sorting of the recyclables among other strategies, the volume of the residual waste being hauled out of the city will continue to decline. Buyucan disclosed that for this year, the local government earmarked some PhP192 million for the hauling and tipping fees that will be paid by the city in the disposal of the residual waste in identified solid waste facilities in the lowlands. According to him, the closure of the Capas engineered sanitary landfill in Tarlac and the temporary setback suffered by the landfill in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan nearly had a great impact on the city’s resources for hauling. However, the city government department head stated that concerned officials were able to negotiate with the management of the Porac engineered sanitary landfill in Pampanga and the operator of another landfill in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan that allowed the city to maximize the use of its available resources to continuously haul the residual waste and properly dispose of the same. Buyucan rallied the residents and business owners to strictly comply with the regulations that had been imposed on the disposal and collection of their generated waste to ensure the maintenance of cleanliness and orderliness in their barangays and avoid the piling up of garbage in their respective areas. Further, he said that the city always ensure that the garbage being brought out by the people during the collection schedules in the designated pick up points will be immediately collected except in some few cases that the city’s garbage trucks will be encountering technical concerns that might cause temporary delays. (BaguioPIO)              

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — During a courtesy visit to Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong, Mayor Benjamin LL. Cuaresma III of Bambang, Nueva Ecija formally presented a resolution expressing the unified intent of all League of Municipalities of the Philippines – Nueva Vizcaya Chapter members to join the Mayors for Good Governance Movement. He was represented by his Municipal Administrator Lopito Lloyd Valdez. The resolution reflects the chapter’s collective commitment to uphold integrity, transparency, accountability, and citizen-centered governance. Municipal Administrator Lloyd also conveyed Mayor Cuaresma’s strong interest in aligning with the movement’s advocacy, recognizing Mayor Magalong’s exemplary leadership as a model for effective and principled public service.

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Mayor Benjamin Magalong served as a keynote presenter and panelist for Tier 1B Local Government Unit Partners participating in the European Union-Philippines Green Economy Partnership initiative, Aug 27, in Quezon City organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines. Concurrently, the City Planning and Development Office (CPDSO) contributed as a panelist during the comprehensive Deep Dive session focused on Portfolio Development for the Green LGUs Project. CPDSO Head Donna Tabangin said Baguio, alongside other participating LGUs, showcased its comprehensive efforts and innovative approaches in sustainable urban development, climate adaptation measures, and green economy transition initiatives. The city emphasized its commitment to environmental stewardship and its role as a model for sustainable local governance practices within the broader framework of the EU-PH partnership’s objectives for promoting green economic transformation at the city level, she said.-Gaby B. Keith

By Rose Frejane A. Cruz   BAGUIO CITY, Philippines  – A 2nd-year Bachelor of Science in Information Technology student at the University of the Cordilleras was crowned as Miss Baguio 2025 during the Coronation Night held at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center, on September 6. Janela Andal Recio,22, of Trancoville Barangay, who is among the 12 candidates who participated in the search for Miss Baguio 2025, has the title of Miss University of the Cordilleras 2024 and Miss Galiacayo Camilliana 2025. Along with Recio who was crowned are Mikaela Coloma Lazaro (Bakakeng SLU SVP), Miss Baguio Creative 2025; Zyra Mae Carbonell (Bakakeng Norte/Sur) – Miss Baguio Kultura 2025; Precious Faith Mirasol (Brookside)- Miss Baguio Kalikasan 2025 and Brynne Cessary Bayang (Middle Quirino Hill), as Miss Baguio Tourism 2025 and Sangguniang Kabataan Federation Baguio Ambassador. Those who received minor awards were Miss Social Graces: #10 Trinity Samantha Lacanlale, of Brgy. Dontogan; Darling of the Press: #7 Brynne Cessary Bayang, of Brgy. Middle Quirino Hill; Best in Creative Costume: #2 Precious Faith Mirasol, of Brgy. Brookside; Best in Talent: #8 Zyra Mae Carbonell, of Brgy. Bakakeng North/South; Best in Swimwear: #11 Janela Recio, of Brgy. Trancoville; Miss Courage: #6 Yvonne Jill Llobrera, of Brgy. Pucsusan and Miss Photogenic: #4 Elisha Lare De Castro, of Brgy. Upper Quezon Hill “The City of Baguio proudly celebrates the newly crowned Miss Baguio 2025.Janela’s journey reflects the true spirit of a Baguio woman that is strong, compassionate, and inspiring. May her reign open doors to new opportunities and allow her to shine even brighter as an ambassador of culture, talent, and community,” said Galadys Vergara, chair of the Baguio Tourism Council.        

By Rose Frejane A. Cruz   BAGUIO CITY, Philippines  – A fire engulfed the basement of the Maharlika Livelihood Complex with a floor area of ​​1,500 square meters, which lasted for eight hours before the fire was completely declared out, which started at around 9:00 a.m. on September 6 until 5:04 a.m. on September 7. According to Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who immediately went to the area to monitor the situation, he thanked all responders including fire stations from BLISTT and private entities and individuals who provided assistance in fire operations. “Our firefighters had difficulty extinguishing the fire immediately, because the black smoke coming out of the main entrance was too thick, which means the fire is still ongoing, so they also guarded the two exit areas on both sides of the building to protect our city market from being affected,” Magalong said. He said, “We have more than enough equipment and capabilities of our fire department, other BFPs from neighboring towns and private companies also came with equipment, to support our firemen.” The MLC is the first mall in Baguio City managed by the Human Settlements Development Corporation (HSDC) under the Department of Agriculture (DA), and its basement area was formerly a food court, which also burned down. The food court was not returned, instead it was rented out to nearby stalls mostly selling clothes and gadgets, and E-Bingo is also here. According to Magalong, the firemen had great difficulty entering the basement due to the thick and dark smoke, so the firefighters used a smoke suction machine to help the firefighters. As a result, it will be recalled that on July 16, 2025, the parking area on the third floor of Maharlika also caught fire, with the fire starting in a stall at around 1 am and being declared out at around 4:20 am. The MLC officially turned over its management to the city government, following the expiration of its 50-year lease on April 28, 2025. A one-month extension was granted to facilitate a smooth transition. The ceremonial turnover took place on May 28, 2025, at the establishment’s lobby, with the transfer becoming effective on May 31, 2025.          

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong led a ceremony commemorating the 80th Victory Day at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence in Camp John Hay, on September 3, Together, they honored the shared sacrifices of Filipino and Allied forces during World War II and celebrated the enduring ties between the Philippines and the United States. Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. served as the guest of honor. Victory Day marks the end of World War II in the Philippines.  In the 80 years since standing shoulder-to-shoulder in battle, the Philippines and the United States have grown ever closer as friends, partners, and allies. “The liberation of the Philippines during World War II was a triumph of the extraordinary bravery of Allied forces and the indomitable spirit of the Filipino people.  From resistance movements that defied occupation to countless sacrifices made, their legacy is the freedom we cherish today,” Ambassador Carlson said in her remarks.   “This shared struggle forged a special relationship between our two nations, rooted in mutual respect, trust, and an unwavering commitment to the safety and prosperity of future generations of Filipinos and Americans.” “That surrender marked not only the end of World War II in the Philippines but also the triumph of courage, strength in spirit, and hope over tyranny and despair.  For us in Baguio, this is more than just an event written in textbooks—it is part of our city’s living memory, a legacy carved into our very identity,” Mayor Magalong said. “As we remember that day and its significance to the world, we also honor the extraordinary sacrifices of the men and women—Filipino, American, and other allies—who fought courageously to restore peace and freedom.” “Today must not merely be an ordinary memorial day.  It must be a day of deep reflection,” Secretary Teodoro said.  “If we do not learn from the lessons of the past, and think as much as we want that the world is a static place, if we do not have resolve, purpose, and unity in action in all facets of public and private life, even with individual behavior and discipline, then we have no business honoring those who have shed their blood.” More than 300 guests attended the ceremony, including Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr., National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chairperson Regalado Trota Jose Jr., and Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu.  Veterans, members of the diplomatic corps, the media, and partners from the public and private sectors were also present. Ambassador Carlson joined Secretary Teodoro, Mayor Magalong, NHCP Chairperson Jose, and PVAO Undersecretary Mapagu in presenting coins to living World War II veterans Angelo Viloria Andrada, Ernesto Carreon Luis, Florence Rimando Marasigan, and Sixta Quiñones Favila to honor their courage and invaluable contributions to freedom and democracy. Luis led the solemn ringing of the ceremonial bell at 12:10 p.m., marking the exact minute of General Yamashita’s surrender.  Churches across Baguio City also rang their bells in unison. During the event, Ambassador Carlson announced the launch of a virtual tour of the historic U.S. Ambassador’s Residence.  Developed by the U.S. Department of State, the virtual tour is free and accessible online through the OBO VR app in the Apple Store or through the following link: https://hullfilm360.com/projects/state/baguio/web/360tour/index.html. “This initiative preserves our shared heritage and invites future generations to reflect on our past and help build a hopeful tomorrow,” Ambassador Carlson said. Following the ceremony, Ambassador Carlson hosted a reception celebrating U.S.-Philippine friendship and the 249th anniversary of U.S. independence.  “We begin a new chapter as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence and the 80th anniversary of U.S.-Philippine diplomatic relations in 2026,” Ambassador Carlson said.  “The friendship, partnership, and alliance between the United States and the Philippines is a crucial part of that story because of the values we share such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”      

  In partnership with the United States Embassy, Mayor Benjamin Magalong and other City Officials solemnly commemorated the 80th Victory Day on September 3, 2025, a Special Working Day honoring World War II veterans’ heroism, bravery, and sacrifices. This annual commemoration highlights the historic events of September 3, 1945, when Japanese Imperial Army General Tomoyuki Yamashita formally signed the Instrument of Surrender before ranking officials of the Allied Forces at Camp John Hay, Baguio City, an event that officially ended hostilities in the Philippines during World War II. Now in its 80th year, Victory Day not only serves as a tribute to the courage and patriotism of Filipino and American soldiers who fought for freedom but also as a reminder of the importance of unity and resilience in safeguarding peace. / ET/ NO&DB