Free EV CAMP JOHN HAY,Baguio City, Philippines —  -‘ Thousands of visitors, residents, and workers in Camp John Hay can now enjoy free, eco-friendly rides through the new John Hay Loop, a six-month electric-vehicle (EV) shuttle service pilot launched by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), its subsidiary John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC), and private partners Device Design Co. Ltd., LexSwitch, and Cordillera Basic Sector Transport Cooperative,on August 15. The initiative aims to improve mobility, reduce congestion, and promote sustainable transport in one of Baguio’s most popular destinations, benefiting nearly 4,000 people who live and work in the estate, as well as the city’s growing number of eco-conscious tourists. Three EV units, each accommodating 22 seated and nine standing passengers, are now serving eight designated stations across Camp John Hay, including: ●      Main Gate Station – John Hay Trade and Cultural Center ●      Filling Station A – near Le Monet Hotel ●      Scout Hill Station A – near Camp John Hay Grounds ●      Mile Hi Station A – from Forest Lodge ●      Gate 4 Station – to South Drive and Outlook Drive ●      Sheridan Station – near John Hay Golf ●      Mile Hi Station B – going to Forest Lodge ●      Filling Station B – going to Main Gate Powered by a 70 kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium-ion battery with fast charging capability, each unit can fully recharge in under 90 minutes and also comes equipped with a 7kWh onboard slow charger as a backup. “The John Hay Loop moves us closer to a cleaner, faster, and more connected Baguio,” said BCDA President and CEO Engr. Joshua M. Bingcang. “Through this partnership with the private sector and international community, we are building a sustainable transport model that will benefit residents, workers, and tourists for years to come.” In June 2025, BCDA and JHMC signed a memorandum of understanding with DeviceDesign, LexSwitch, and the Cordillera Basic Sector Transport Cooperative to roll out an integrated mobility system in Camp John Hay. LexBuild Group and LexSWITCH EcoMobility Inc. are supplying the EV units and charging stations, while DeviceDesign provides station markers and monitoring technology. DeviceDesign and Cordillera Basic Sector Transport Cooperative will assess commuter experience, ridership levels, and operational performance, then provide recommendations for the long-term implementation of the John Hay Loop. This initiative reflects BCDA’s commitment to making destinations more accessible while safeguarding the environment. By integrating clean transport solutions into Camp John Hay, BCDA said it aims to promote a greener future for Baguio and set a national benchmark for sustainable mobility in tourism estates. The John Hay Loop is in line with BCDA’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Goal 13: Climate Action.

By Rose Frejane A.Cruz BAGUIO CITY, Philippines  – The Filipino at Tsino Magkaibigan Foundation and the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc., distributed 1,000 bags of 5 kilos rice to three local government units, as aid to those affected by the past three typhoons and the southwest monsoon. Members of the FCCCII-Baguio Chapter, led by Peter Ng, first delivered 400 bags of rice (5 kilo each) to the Baguio City government, on August 13, which was happily received by City Administrator Vittorio Jericho Cawis, at the Baguio City Hall. According to Cawis, the donation is intended to help the nearly 400 indigents who were victims of the past typhoons and the southwest monsoon in the city. “ On behalf of Mayor Benjamin Magalong, thank you very much for the tireless support of the Baguio Filipino-Chinese community, who previously donated 200 grocery packs on July 26. The town of Tuba also received a warm welcome, which was given 200 bags of 5 kilos of rice, which was received by Atty.George Fukai, municipal administrator and municipal legal officer. “This is a great help to those affected by landslides in many parts of Tuba, caused by the recent typhoons, especially to the residents of Kennon Road. We salute the Filipino-Chinese Community for its continued assistance to our town,” Fukai said. The next day, the group also personally delivered 200 bags of rice to the Benguet provincial government and was personally received by the personnel of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office. Mayor Roderick Awingan was also very grateful for receiving 200 bags of rice (5 kilos each), which were also personally delivered to the town of La Trinidad, Benguet. “We will not refuse this, this is a huge help to our constituents who were also victims of the recent calamity. Thank you very much to your foundation and our town is counted among the ones to be given a blessing,” Awingan said. According to Ng, “Every time there is a calamity, our organization traditionally delivers aid to show our support and concern for those who were victims of the calamity.”              

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — In a bid to safeguard access to clean water during calamities and crises, the Baguio Water District (BWD) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD-FOCAR) have sealed an agreement to guarantee the timely and reliable delivery of safe drinking water to disaster-affected communities and families. BWD General Manager Engr. Salvador M. Royeca and DSWD-FOCAR Regional Director Maria Catbagan-Aplaten signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on August 11, 2025, at the BWD Office located at 003 Utility Road, Barangay Marcoville, Baguio City. Under the agreement, BWD will prioritize the sale of potable water to DSWD during calamities, disasters, and other emergencies at the lowest prevailing rate. The supply will be free from metering and installation fees, environmental and/or sewer charges, late payment penalties, and other operational costs – ensuring equitable and timely distribution to affected residents. This initiative supports DSWD’s mandate under Republic Act No. 10121, or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, to coordinate and monitor the provision of relief goods. It also aligns with National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Memorandum Circular No. 02, s. 2020, which authorizes the inclusion of potable water in relief assistance alongside family food packs. “Access to safe and clean drinking water is not just a basic necessity—it is a lifeline, especially during times of crisis.” GM Royeca stressed. “Through this partnership, the Baguio Water District reaffirms its commitment to go beyond regular operations to serve our communities. This MOA ensures that when calamities strike, water will be the last thing our people will have to worry about.” While Baguio City will be the primary beneficiary, the agreement allows the extension of support to nearby local government units once the city’s water supply has stabilized. All water provided under the MOA will be strictly for relief purposes. “We are prepared to respond swiftly to DSWD’s requests to make sure that affected families – here in Baguio and, when possible, in neighboring areas, receive the clean water they need to survive and recover.” GM Royeca added. The partnership will be in effect for five years, providing disaster-affected communities the assurance of reliable access to one of life’s most vital resources during emergencies.      

By Laarni Ilagan BAGUIO CITY,Philippines -For many students, losing money meant for tuition can be a nightmare. For one Saint Louis University (SLU) student, it could have been—but thanks to an honest Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) employee, a crisis was averted. Melson Cadate, a veteran meter reader who has been with BENECO for 19 years, was on his usual route in the Eagle Crest area of Bakakeng, Baguio City, early morning of August 12 when he spotted a light brown wallet by the roadside. Initially, Cadate walked past it, assuming the owner would soon return. “I thought maybe someone would come back for it. I didn’t want to touch it right away,” he recalled. But when he finished his meter reading rounds in the area a couple of hours later and passed by the same spot, the wallet was still there—untouched and unclaimed. Cadate picked it up and brought it home during lunch. Out of respect and caution, he asked his wife, Cheryl, to check its contents. They discovered the wallet belonged to a young woman, containing a significant amount of cash, along with IDs, credit and ATM cards. “It felt wrong to go through it myself, so I asked my wife to help,” Cadate said. Using the student’s identification cards, the couple searched for her on Facebook and sent a message to her account, informing her they had found her wallet and how she could retrieve it. The owner, a graduating Tourism student from SLU’s Bakakeng campus who requested anonymity, was overwhelmed with relief. She had just returned to Baguio from Isabela province and suspected the wallet fell out after getting off a cab. “I didn’t even realize I lost it until lunchtime. I turned my apartment upside down looking for it,” she shared. “Then I saw a message from someone at BENECO. I didn’t believe it at first. Naiiyak na ako—I didn’t want my parents to know I lost the money meant for my enrollment and apartment.” When they met at the BENECO main office along South Drive, the student personally thanked Cadate, who returned the wallet and all its contents intact. “Pinabuklat ken pinakontak ko ken ni baket tapnu insigida maisubli, ta estudyante piman,” said Cadate in Ilocano. “We realized she came all the way from Isabela idi napukaw na, kaasi met diay ubing.” Cadate, 45, is also a father of four. His eldest is a first-year student at SLU’s main campus, giving him an even deeper understanding of the student’s situation. He is one of BENECO’s 37 regular meter readers, quietly doing his rounds with integrity and a sense of service. His actions have since inspired co-workers and community members alike. This is his second time to return valuables he found while doing his job as a meter reader. Last Summer, he also returned a Samsung cellular phone, according to Grace Bautista, one of the security guards of BENECO whom he entrusted the phone for the owner to claim at a later date. “Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching,” Melchor Licoben always remind BENECO employees. “And Mr. Cadate did just that.” (LSI)

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Mayor Magalong and the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) formalized partnerships yesterday, under the Adopt-a-Park Program, with organizations committing to maintain, beautify, and preserve the city’s green spaces. These dedicated partners will take care of their adopted sites: *Baguio Everlasting Lions Club – Lions Club International, District 301-C & Baguio City Jail – Female Dormitory (BCJ-FD) – Smoke Free Park at City Hall and street island along Camp 7 *Baguio City Jail – Female Dormitory (BCJ-FD) – designated area within Botanical Garden (tree planting, tree caring, and protection) *BSBT College Inc. – circle/street along Burnham Lake Drive *Baguio Magnolia Lions Club – park at the corner lot of General Luna Road *Baguio Sunflower Lions Club – circle/street along Marcos Highway/Bakakeng Road *Buddy One Land Inc. – center island at Brent Road, Imelda Village *University of the Cordilleras – street island/center island/overpass at Governor Pack Road and Harrison Road *Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) of Baguio City Inc. – Eco Park, Irisan *Beauty Beyond Borders – street island/park along Benjamin Salvosa Drive, Rizal Park, Monument Barangay Through these partnerships, our volunteer stewards will help ensure Baguio’s parks and public spaces remain clean, green, and vibrant for all.— MB/ ET

  BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Mayor Benjamin Magalong joined DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. in leading the unveiling of the plaque for the Artificial Groundwater Recharge Facility (AGRF) at the Athletic Bowl, Burnham Park, Baguio City. In his welcome message, Mayor Magalong emphasized the importance of innovative, science-based solutions in addressing water scarcity, flooding, and the impacts of extreme weather—key challenges faced by Baguio and neighboring areas. The AGRF uses sustainable technology to store clean rainwater in underground aquifers during the rainy season, enhancing groundwater supply, reducing flood risks, and ensuring a steady water source for domestic and agricultural needs year-round. Baguio City is proud to be one of the pilot sites for this climate-resilient project, alongside the Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad, Benguet—funded by DOST and implemented by ERDB–WWRRDEC under the DOST NICER Program, with monitoring from DOST–PCIEERD. / MRM/ ET

BAGUIO CITY — Congressman Mauricio “Morris” G. Domogan, the representative of the Lone District of Baguio City, welcomed his election as chairperson of the House Special Committee on Bases Conversion. As a long time public servant, and also as a private citizen, of a district that has gone through complex relations with Bases Conversion Authority (BCDA), he considers his new role as an opportunity to explore legislative solutions that serve both the interests of Baguio and the goals of the government. As chairperson, he is tasked to lead the committee with the legislative oversight of the BCDA and the broader policy framework governing the conversion of former military lands to productive civilian purposes. The BCDA, created by Republic Act No. 7227 or the bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992, has the mandate to transform former U.S. military bases and other military lands into economic zones. BCDA is tasked to commercialize former military lands, attract investments, support modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and work with the host local government units on developmental activities. Specifically, his committee has the authority to scrutinize BCDA’s operations, including its programs, land dispositions, and relationships with the host communities.   He is considered the right man for the job. As mayor of Baguio, he worked to create common ground, albeit tedious, with the BCDA to settle long-standing disputes on the lease terms of Camp John Hay, the city’s share of revenues, and the need to align development plans with Baguio’s environmental initiatives. Interestingly, many of the conditions he negotiated with the BCDA prior to the turnover of Camp John Hay – like the 𝟭𝟵 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 – remain in legal and bureaucratic limbo until the present day. With him at the helm of the committee, long simmering grievances among communities affected by the conversion of former military bases may now find a leader who has both the empathy and experience in addressing their concerns. Now that Congressman Mauricio G. Domogan takes on the national leadership role as chairperson of the House Special Committee on Bases Conversion, he will bring with him decades of institutional experience, a firsthand grasp of the issues, and a proven unwavering commitment to transparency, inclusivity and accountability. Under his leadership, there is renewed hope for the realization of an equitable base conversion – not just for Baguio, but for all affected host communities across the country.        

  BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Office of Civil Defense-Cordillera Administrative Region (OCD-CAR) will be spearheading a 2-day Cordillera Regional DRRM Summit & Expo 2025 on August 11 to 12 at Ion Hotel, Baguio City. This is one of the biggest gatherings of DRRM practitioners, experts, decision-makers, and leaders in the Cordillera region. The activity aims to promote unity amongst government, private, and development/civil society sectors and empower them with proper knowledge and capacities in strengthening disaster resiliency efforts in the region while promoting people-centered/sensitive disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) and climate change adaptation and mitigation (CCAM) services and programs. In the summit, subject matter experts (SMEs) were invited to share latest DRRM updates, policies, good practices, and other opportunities. Here are the first two (2) speakers who will share their insights and expertise on topics, to wit: ENGR. CHARLES BRYAN C. CARAME, LDRRMO IV, Head, Baguio City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO): Engineering Solutions for Earthquake Preparedness: Good Practice on Infrastructure Development; and ATTY. NOEMI P. HUMILDE, Acting Assistant Regional Director, DBM-CAR: DBM-OCD Joint Circular No. 2025-01, “Implementing Guidelines on the Utilization of the Quick Response Fund (QRF) for FY 2025 GAA and Thereafter”. This year’s 37th NDRM theme, “𝗞𝗨𝗠𝗜𝗞𝗜𝗟𝗢𝗦 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝘀𝗮 𝗞𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗮𝗻, 𝗞𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗴𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗻, 𝗮𝘁 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗻” affirms the Filipino people’s ongoing, collective commitment to disaster preparedness, safety and resilience–highlighting actions already being taken by individuals, communities, and institutions nationwide. More than a call to action, it reflects a dynamic, whole-of-nation approach that values continuous improvement, shared responsibility, and sustained collaboration across all sectors.

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — To help meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in the country’s digital and creative industries, Aboitiz Renewables Inc. and Aboitiz Foundation Inc. partnered with the University of the Philippines Baguio to award scholarships to 12 students pursuing degrees in Computer Science and Communication. “With this scholarship grant, we aim to boost enrollment in our Communication and Computer Science programs,” said UP Baguio Chancellor Dr. Joel M. Addawe. “It opens doors for bright and deserving students from the Cordillera and fuels our vision of shaping a new generation of creative professionals who will drive progress and national development.” Baguio City, a UNESCO-recognized Creative City since 2017, is an emerging regional hub for creative and tech-based industries. In 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority-Cordillera said that its economy grew by 9%, driven by a strong services sector. As demand grows for talent in tech-enabled creative industries, this initiative helps ensure that access to quality education and opportunities to contribute to the nation’s digital future is extended to students residing outside of metropolitan areas. To qualify for the scholarship, students must pass the University of the Philippines College Admission Test, be endorsed by the Aboitiz Foundation through UP Baguio’s Office of Scholarships and Financial Assistance, and maintain a general weighted average of at least 2.0 with no failing or incomplete grades. Each scholar receives a monthly stipend, a gadget allowance, and an academic excellence incentive, including an additional cash bonus for students who graduate with Latin honors. Support also includes board exam subsidies and access to mentoring and internship opportunities, ensuring not only financial aid but holistic development. “For over two decades, Aboitiz Foundation’s scholarship program has become more than just a financial grant but also a platform for transformation,” said Aboitiz Foundation Impact Lead for Education Jowell Ann Cruz. “We invest in potential. We invest in who these scholars can become.” “At Aboitiz Renewables, we believe true progress isn’t just measured in megawatts or infrastructure—it’s also measured in people. It’s measured in lives transformed and dreams realized. Education is one of the most powerful investments we can make,” added Aboitiz Renewables’ First Vice President and General Manager for Hydro Operations Noreen Vicencio. In Benguet, Aboitiz Renewables, the renewable energy arm of Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower), currently operates nine run-of-river hydropower plants. Support for education and livelihood programs continues to drive its CSR efforts, empowering shared growth within its host communities and magnifying AboitizPower’s purpose of Transforming Energy for a Better World.