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.

The Social Security System (SSS) has once again strengthened its commitment to extending social protection to government workers with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Agricultural Training Institute – Cordillera Administrative Region (ATI-CAR) under the SSS KaSSSangga Collect Program (KCP). Through the SSS-ATI partnership, 53 Job Order (JO) and Contract of Service (COS) workers of ATI-CAR are now assured of SSS coverage as self-employed members, providing them reliable safety nets in times of sickness, maternity, disability, old age, and other contingencies. “Through this initiative, SSS ensures that even temporary and contractual workers are given the opportunity to secure their future and protect their families with the benefits of social security,” said SSS Acting Vice President of Luzon North 1 Division Nancy Umoso. The KCP is a program of the SSS designed to establish partnerships with government agencies, local government units, and private institutions to facilitate easier coverage, collection, and remittance of contributions for JO and COS workers who are not covered by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). SSS La Trinidad, being the SSS branch covering ATI-CAR, expressed its appreciation to the agency for being a proactive partner in the advocacy of social protection. “This collaboration marks a step forward in turning the theme “Sigurado ang Bukas” into a reality for more Filipinos. The SSS remains steadfast in its mission to extend universal and inclusive social security coverage, especially for workers in vulnerable sectors,” SSS La Trinidad Branch Head Dominador Malatag concluded. As of September 2025, SSS has 21 KCP partners in provinces of Benguet, Abra and Mt. Province with 1,740 registered JO and COS workers as self-employed members.               

Based on the RAPID DAMAGE ASSESSMENT & NEEDS ANALYSIS (RDANA) of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) for Super Typhoon #UwanPH as of 9:00AM, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025 No casualty.  

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Benjamin Magalong declared the suspension of classes in all levels, both public and private, on November 10, which is expected to bring heavy rains and winds as typhoon ‘Uwan’ passes through Baguio City on Sunday. Vehicle number coding has also been suspended to allow residents to use their vehicles in times of emergency, Magalong called on residents to take extra precautions against the possible impact of typhoon Uwan (Tropical Cyclone ‘Fung-Wong’) that is expected to hit or pass through Baguio City. Magalong said concerned agencies are currently conducting a Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDR) in preparation for the expected strong impact of the upcoming typhoon, which is expected to hit the city on Sunday, possibly bringing heavy rains and strong winds. Magalong also reminded all barangays to implement precautions in preparation for the upcoming typhoon. As part of the preventive measures, garbage collection will be temporarily suspended two days before the expected landfall of the typhoon to prevent garbage from spreading and clogging drainage systems. Residents are advised not to throw their garbage during this period and to ensure that garbage is properly secured to help reduce flooding and maintain cleanliness in their communities. Emergency response equipment has been reviewed and prepared in all barangays. Each barangay has an “orange box” containing essential emergency supplies, while communication equipment will be distributed two days before the typhoon to ensure smooth coordination of response operations. The city’s response teams and personnel led by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) are fully prepared and well-equipped to deal with any emergency that may arise. Magalong assured the public that the City remains prepared for severe storms, based on its long experience in managing severe weather events. He advised the public to take all necessary measures to protect lives and properties and that people living in areas identified as highly or very vulnerable to landslide and flood hazards are urged to follow evacuation orders and other instructions from local officials.

BAGUIO CITY — Key officials and representatives from the City Government of Baguio, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority – Cordillera State Institute of Technical Education (TESDA-CSITE), the Department of Education (DepEd), and various national government agencies convened for the second public consultation on the proposed development of the open field adjacent to CSITE, a property owned by the City Government of Baguio. Mayor Benjamin Magalong attended the consultation, which focused on ensuring that the site’s development promotes safety, accessibility, functionality, and community growth. Among the major agreements and action points discussed were the following: Safety and Accessibility: The City Government will prioritize the establishment of safe vehicle and pedestrian access points to protect students and children in the vicinity. Sports and Recreation Area: The proposed multi-purpose sports field will follow standard futsal dimensions and utilize artificial turf, allowing the space to accommodate both school-based and community sports activities. Innovation and Learning Space: Plans include integrating an innovation hub to advance the city’s youth and education development initiatives. Environmental Considerations: The development will incorporate proper drainage and wastewater management systems, along with organized parking and traffic flow, to ensure environmental sustainability and safety. Technical Collaboration: Councilor Atty. Paolo Salvosa recommended that DepEd and TESDA-CSITE architects collaborate in the design process to ensure that both agencies’ requirements and preferences are properly represented. DepEd attended the meeting to provide technical inputs; however, no formal agreement or official commitment for collaboration has been made at this stage. Land Survey Commitment: TESDA-CSITE committed to requesting a land survey from the City Engineer’s Office to determine the total land area and available space for the proposed sports and innovation facilities. The consultation underscored the shared commitment of TESDA-CSITE, DepEd, and the City Government of Baguio to pursue inclusive and sustainable development projects that promote education, sports, and community engagement. This ongoing collaboration reflects a unified vision to transform the open field into a safe, functional, and community-centered space that enhances learning, recreation, and youth development opportunities for the people of Baguio.

“Strength is not the absence of struggle, and healing is not weakness but courage in motion.” Thus declared Mayor Benjamin Magalong in a social media post in honor of October as Mental Health Awareness and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. “As we advocate for good governance, let us also remember that leadership is not only about accountability in service: it’s also about compassion for others and care for oneself,” he said. “To everyone facing silent battles, whether it’s the weight of expectations, the fight against illness, or the daily pressure to stay strong, know this: you are not alone. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness; it is an act of bravery,” the Mayor added. He is urging everyone to begin the week with empathy and resilience, check our mental health and those around us, support awareness, early detection, and compassion for breast cancer warriors, and lead with kindness because every heart we uplift strengthens our community. “True courage is not just in fighting corruption or injustice—it’s also in choosing to care, to heal, and to keep going,” the Mayor stressed.-Gaby B. Keith