By Jordan G. Habbiling BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Mayor Benjamin Magalong signed the ordinance granting a monthly cash subsidy of P1,000.00 to qualified solo parents in Baguio City earning minimum wage or below. The ordinance was signed by last August 28, 2025, after the Baguio City Council has approved Ordinance 63-2025. This measure aims to ease the financial burden of single parents and strengthen the city’s support for solo-parent families in line with the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act (RA 11861). Under the newly approved measure, eligible solo parents will receive a P1,000.00 monthly cash subsidy to be released quarterly through the payroll system. The program will be implemented by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) which will also oversee the screening, validation, and monitoring of beneficiaries. To qualify, a solo parent must possess a valid Solo Parent Identification Card (SPIC), earn minimum wage or below, be listed in the CSWDO’s Solo Parent Database as “eligible” or tagged under “Benefit Qualification Code A & AB,” and must not be a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) or any other government cash assistance. Solo parents who are senior citizens or persons with disabilities may still receive their respective benefits without forfeiting this subsidy. In cases where available funds are insufficient, the CSWDO will prioritize beneficiaries using a point-based system that considers factors such as the number and age of dependents, income level, employment status, health condition, living arrangement, and whether the solo parent is the sole provider of the family. Those who garner higher points will be given priority in receiving the subsidy. For the initial release of funds, solo parents must submit a copy of their SPIC, a barangay certificate of residency, and a certificate of attendance from a Solo Parent Orientation. For succeeding payouts, only the valid SPIC is required. The CSWDO will conduct thorough assessment and validation of applicants within seven working days of submission and will prepare the final list of eligible beneficiaries. Beneficiaries who cannot personally claim their subsidy due to health reasons may authorize a representative provided that proper documentation such as valid IDs, an authorization letter, and a medical or barangay certificate is presented. In the event of a beneficiary’s death, marriage, or change in status, the payout will be adjusted based on the number of days the beneficiary remained eligible. Funding for the program will come from the annual appropriations of the CSWDO to ensure the sustainability of the city’s assistance to solo parents.  

By Rose Frejane A. Cruz BAGUIO CITY – ‘Rising Sun’, this is the theme of the annual Christmas Village that the Baguio Country Club reopened to bring joy to residents and tourists, especially the youth in the Summer Capital. It will feature the famous parks in Japan, which, as has been the custom in previous years, will use eco-friendly environment materials. According to Andrew Pinero, BCC communication officer, the Christmas Village first paid tribute to media partners, including its family on October 17 and the grand opening will be on October 18, to which city officials were invited. According to Pinero, in the 15th year of the Christmas Village, the theme is different every year, and the excitement of children will not be lost, with artificial snow now added to make visitors enjoy the nativity show even more every night. It was in 2011 when the employees of the BCC, an exclusive membership resort here, first came up with a Christmas Village with the aim of giving a new attraction to their members and to the Baguio community as a whole, including tourists. It was appreciated by the residents. So, the following year, the employees again came up with a Christmas Village. While it did not carry a theme, the consensus to use recycled environment-friendly materials for the display was carried and used. “ We make sure that visitors also enjoy the food concessionaires that we have placed inside the village and we have also put in more chairs for our senior citizens and PWD’s,” Pinero said. The Christmas Village is open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m and the entrance fee is P200 for adults; Children 4-12 years old are P16 and Senior Citizens are P143; PWD Children P115 and children 3 years old and below are free.        

    BAGUIO CITY — Grab launched its “Grab Asenso” Learning Caravan in the city, pioneering the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME). This initiative underscores the city’s commitment to inclusive economic growth. With approximately 20,000 registered businesses, 19,000 were classified as MSME around the city, thus, naming the city as powerhouse for small-scale entrepreneurship. The learning caravan aimed to equip these enterprises with digital tools for day-to-day efficiency connecting merchants to its consumers. One of the city’s vision as being a Smart City is the enhancement of digital readiness across all sectors with the incorporation of cashless payment systems. This effort aligns with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ PalengQR initiative that encourages market vendors and local businesses to implement QR code-based transactions. – JSC

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.