BAGUIO CITY – “Now in my third and final chapter, we move forward with great purpose and I vow to you, kung ano ang ipinakita namin noon, yon pa rin ang ipapakita namin ngayon. Good Governance, consistency is the key word,” Mayor Benjamin Magalong said strongly in his inaugural speech, after his oathtaking at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center, Baguio City, on June 30. Aurora Hill South Central Barangay Chairman Levy Lloyd Orcales administered the oath of office to Magalong. Orcales ran as city councilor under the Good Governance Alliance, but was defeated. According to Magalong, in the new chapter of his administration, he will continue the promise of a clean, honest and open government that knows how to work in its jurisdiction. He will ensure that every decision is for the benefit of the many, not just the few and will continue to fight for a government that cares and is truly sensible. “We will not let you down, we will not give up on the principle of good governance, what we popularly call Good Governance.” He said he will continue his vision of a livable, inclusive and creative city by 2043. “This will be passed my term, but together we established solid foundation. We will continue to build our seven core agenda namely environment, land use and energy, climate and disaster resilience, urban regeneration, youth empowerment, sustainable economic and development, smart city management and most importantly Good Governance.” “We will continue to work for a sustainable and resilient Baguio City and we will continue to promote good governance without corruption where leaders do not lead with greed but with honor,” Magalong said. Aside from Magalong, comebacking Congressman Mauricio Domogan, Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan and City Councilors Edison Bilog, Joel Alangsab, Jose Molintas, LeandroYangot, Jr., Vladimir Cayabas, Peter Fianza, Van Dicang, Fred Bagbagen, Paolo Salvosa, Lourdes Tabanda, Yuri Weygan and Elmer Datuin were also sworn in.    

BAGUIO CITY – Manunumpa ngayong araw, Hunyo 30, ang bagong halal na pulitiko para sa kanilang tungkulin na magserbisyo sa mga mamamayan para sa taong 2025-2028, na gaganapin sa Baguio Convention and Cultural Center dakong alas 9:00 ng umaga. Ayon kay City Budget Officer Leticia Clemente na namumuno sa transition committee. solemne at makabuluhan ang programa ng panunumpa ng mga halal na pulitiko. Pangungunahan ni comebacking Congressman Mauricio Domogan, re-elected Mayor Benjamin Magalong at re-elected Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan, ang Oath of Office Ceremony, na magsisimula ng alas 9:00 ng umaga. Ang iba pang mga incoming officials na ilalagay ay sina comebacking Councilors Edison Bilog at Josel Alangsab, incumbent Councilors Jose Molintas, Leandro Yangot Jr., Vladimir Cayabas, Peter Fianza, Fred Bagbagen, Betty Lourdes Tabanda at Elmer Datuin at mga bagong dating na sina Van Oliver Dicang, Paolo Raynor Salvosa at Yuri Weygan. Ang bagong hanay ng mga opisyales ay opisyal ding tatanggapin sa isang espesyal na programa sa flag raising ceremony Hulyo 7. Magsisimula sila sa isang sesyon ng pagpaplano ng Executive-Legislative Agenda upang itakda ang mga direksyon sa pag-unlad ng lungsod para sa susunod na tatlong taon. Noong nakaraang Hunyo 16, nagsagawa ng espesyal na pagpupugay ang lungsod para sa mga outgoing city officials na pinarangalan ang kanilang mga nagawa at kontribusyon sa pag-unlad ng lungsod. Matatandaan sa muling pagkapanalo ni Magalong ay ipinangako nito na kanyang itutuloy ang kanyang mga programa paea makamit ang sustainability, innovation at resilience at gawing livable, inclusive at creative ang lungsod. “Kami ay patuloy na magtatrabaho para sa isang sustainable at resilient Baguio City sa lahat ng mga programa at proyekto na nasimulan na at patuloy kaming nagsusulong para sa mabuting pamamahala at isang Baguio na walang katiwalian na ang mga pinuno ay hindi namumuno sa kasakiman ngunit may karangalan,” pajauah ni Magalong. Zaldy Comanda          

BAGUIO CITY – The city’s Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO), the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) successfully conducted a Symposium on Public Transport Policies for PWDs last Monday at the function room of the City Health Services Office (CHSO). PDAO head Dr. Samuel Aquino said that the conduct of the symposium was timely making the city’s PWD sector fully aware of the ongoing programs, projects and initiatives of concerned government agencies and the private sector in making public transportation safer and accessible to them. He lauded the DOTr and CIAC officials for engaging the city’s PWD sector in the symposium as it provided them with a clearer perspective on the various initiatives being undertaken to make the country’s public transportation friendly to all sectors that will pave the way for increased mobility among the people regardless of status in life. For his part, CIAC president and chief executive officer Joseph Jojit Alcazar claimed that the Clark international airport is compliant to global aviation standards that include PWD-friendly facilities and services to ensure comfortable, convenient, safe and hustle-free travel experience for all in-bound and out-bound travelers. He assured members of the city’s PWD sector that the private operator of the airport continues to closely collaborate with the CIAC and the DOTr to make sure that its operations adhere to established standards for the benefit of all travelers patronizing the airport for their domestic and foreign travels. The CIAC official rallied the PWDs to try to fly via the Clark international airport for them to experience word class services that had been in place for the convenience and comfort of travelers. On the other hand, Arch. Alexis Gabriel Doroteo of the DOTr’s Road Transport and Infrastructure Sector said that the agency was able to put in place numerous PWD-friendly programs and projects in airports, roads, train stations and other public transport facilities for the convenience and comfort of the PWDs as enshrined in existing laws, rules and regulations. He claimed that the DOTr programs and projects for the safety of PWDs had been implemented in the different parts of the country to guarantee the safe and accessible mobility of the PWD sector and ensure the compliance of public transportation to the prescribed standards. CIAC investment and promotion officer Jen Bugarin-Tan informed the symposium attendees that the airport has visible signages, sufficient wheelchairs and other PWD aids, enough comfort rooms for all, including the members of the LGBTQ plus community, available trained staff to assist PWDs, among others, that travelers could avail when using the airport as their fly-out and fly-in venue. She emphasized that the airport facilities are designed in compliance to international standards that is why it is able to cater to the travel requirements of all kinds of travelers, including the PWDs. More than 50 PWDs, parents and guardians of PWDs and concerned sectors attended the said educational symposium and were elated to learn about the interventions being implemented by the concerned government agencies and the private sector to achieve a safer and accessible public transportation for everyone. (PR)

The Baguio Water District (BWD) has allocated a total of Php6.7M for the installation of solar-powered street lights across its various facilities in Baguio City and parts of Benguet. This is in line with the continuing program to upgrade the District’s equipment and to venture into renewable energy. According to BWD General Manager Engr. Salvador M. Royeca, the project involved the installation of solar lamp posts in 26 major BWD facilities, primarily for perimeter lighting to enhance facility security and reduce power consumption. “Investing in these new solar facilities is crucial to the operation of the District, particularly in providing a working environment for our personnel during nighttime and, of course, to reduce the expenses on BWD’s monthly electric bills,” GM Royeca said. He added that the solar lights are particularly valuable during unscheduled power interruptions. BWD’s shift to renewable energy is aligned with its commitment to address climate change, particularly in reducing carbon emissions and supporting long-term environmental sustainability and energy security. The project began in October 2024 and was completed on May 8, 2025. Under the terms of the contract, the supplier provided a two-year warranty and free service for all installed components. Among the facilities that now benefit from solar lighting are the Sto. Tomas Rain Basin, KM. 8 Reservoir, Irisan Pumping Stations, and Amparo deepwells, among others. BWD’s electricity expenses typically range between Php15 million to around Php19 million monthly, making energy-efficient upgrades a key strategy in managing operational costs.  

BAGUIO CITY –The City General Services Office garbage collectors were once again shocked when they found an abandoned fetus placed inside a sack of rice in a trash can at Upper Rock Quarry, Baguio City, on June 25. This is the fourth incident of an abandoned fetus in the city this year. The garbage collectors saw a wet sack with fresh blood dripping at around 7:00 a.m. They immediately checked inside and saw a fully developed fetus. The incident was reported to the barangay official who immediately called the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and the Baguio City Police Office-Station 5 and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office – Operations Division, to verify it. According to the validation of the Scene of the Crime Operation, a full-term newborn baby with an intact umbilical cord, weighing approximately between 2.5 and 2.9 kilograms, died due to blood pooling and skin discoloration. CSWD Officer Liza Bulayungan expressed deep sorrow over the incident, saying that mothers regardless of their stage of pregnancy should not engage in such an act that does not show appreciation for the sanctity of life. The city’s social workers appealed to mothers and parents to be strong and not resort to inhumane methods to eliminate their unwanted children. The OCSWDO and other government and private institutions offer programs and assistance for distressed pregnant women. (By Rose Frejane Cruz)

By JM Samidan- Baguio PIO   Highlights of this year’s 38th celebration for Cordillera Month in July will be hosted by the city government of Baguio adopting the Regional Development Council’s theme, “Securing the Future of a Unified Cordillera.” The kick-off activities on July 1 will be held at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center (BCCC) starting off with a ritual at 6AM followed by a community parade at 8:15AM from Lower Session Road to BCCC in time for the 9AM program proper. The 38th Cordillera Day activities on July 15 will begin with a parade at 8:15AM from Lower Session Road up to BCCC for the program proper by 8:50AM. Culminating activities will also be held at the BCCC on July 31 at 8AM. Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong issued Executive Order No. 56, series of 2025 for the tasking and support roles of government agencies and city departments to ensure the success of the 38th Cordillera Month celebration. The City Administrator’s Office – Tourism, Culture and Arts Division was designated as the lead implementing and action entity for the activity with support from the City Environment and Parks management Office for the landscaping and beautification of venues together with the City Buildings and Architectures Office to assist in physical setup. The Baguio City Police Office shall maintain safety and security, manage crowd and traffic with assistance from the City Mayor’s Office – Public order Safety Division while the Bureau of Fire Protection – Baguio Fire Station shall maintain standby fire/engine truck and personnel in coordination with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) and the City Health Services Office – Emergency Medical Service to provide standby medical and rescue services. The City Human Resource Management Office – Cultural Dance Troupe was tasked to lead in providing performances during the major activities. “From the forging of the Sipat (peace) Agreement in Mount Data in 1986 to the establishment of the Cordillera Administrative Region in 1987, our journey has been guided by the enduring pursuit of justice, cultural preservation and regional empowerment,” the mayor said. He said Baguio City is honored to host this year’s Cordillera Month activities in commemoration and remembrance of shared struggles and commitment to a unified Cordillera through strengthened regional identity, solidarity and self-determined development.

Buong pusong ipinagmamalaki ng Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG) ang kanilang convenor na si Mayor Benjie Magalong sa pagkakamit ng prestihiyosong Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards for Global Tobacco Control 2025 sa Dublin, Ireland. Sa ilalim ng kanyang mahusay na pamumuno, kinilala ang Baguio LGU bilang isa sa anim na institusyon sa buong mundo na nagpamalas ng kahusayan sa tobacco control. Ang parangal na ito ay pagkilala sa mahigpit na pagpapatupad ng smoke-free at vape-free policies ng lungsod, sa epektibong paggamit ng data mula sa Global Youth at Adult Tobacco Surveys, at sa mga hakbang na nakabatay sa WHO MPOWER strategy. Pinatutunayan nito ang dedikasyon ni Mayor Magalong sa makabagong pamamahala, sa mga solusyong nakabatay sa ebidensya, at sa pangangalaga ng kalusugan ng mamamayan. Ang M4GG ay nagagalak sa tagumpay na ito ng isang tunay na lingkod-bayan. Ang inyong tagumpay ay magsisilbing inspirasyon sa iba pang mga lingkod-bayan na tularan ang inyong mahusay na pamamalakad at malasakit sa kalusugan ng bawat mamamayan.

  BAGUIO CITY – Mahigpit ang babala ngayon ng city government sa mga motorista, lalo na sa mga turista, dahil mahigpit na ipinapatupad ngayon sa Summer Capital ang City Ordinance No.18, Series of 2019 o ang Speed Limit Ordinance at Ordinance No. 7-2010 o King of the Road Ordinance, na sa nakalipas na 15 taon mula ng ipasa ito ay hihigpitan na ang implementasyon nito. Sa ilalim ng City Ordinance No.18, ang mga motorista ay may maximum na bilis lamang na 20 kph sa loob ng Central Business District at 30 kph sa lahat ng inner roads. Sa pamamagitan ng makabagong ‘speed gun’ na hawak ng mga traffic enforcer ay mabilis na madedetect ang bilis ng isang sasakyan at magbibigay-daan na masubaybayan ang mga bilis ng sasakyan nang mas tumpak at mapahusay ang pagiging epektibo ng mga pagpapatakbo ng pagpapatupad ng trapiko sa iba’t ibang mga klasipikasyon ng kalsada sa lungsod. Sinimulan ang operasyon nito noong Hunyo 14-15, na kung saan ay 22 motorista ang nahuli, matapos maitala ang kanilang bilis sa pagmamaneho mula 40 kph hanggang 58 kph base sa mga speed measuring gadgets ng BCPO Ang pagpapaigting sa pagpapatupad ng ordinansa at pagbili ng speed gun ay bilang aksyon sa pagtataas ng aksidente, na karamihang naitala ay dulot ng “human error” na may kinalaman sa overspeeding. Ayon kay City Director Col.Ruel Tagel, ang operasyong ito ay bahagi ng patuloy na pagsisikap na mapanatili ang Baguio bilang isang ligtas, pedestrian-friendly, at walkable na lungsod. “Bukod sa speed gun ay mga mga breath analyzer na din tayo para mabilis nating masuri ang isang drayber kung nakainom ito ng alak sa kanyang pagmamaneho, kaya sana ay maging iresponsable sana ang ating mga drayber na sundin ang ordinansa,para nadin sa kalidtasan ng bawat – isa,” pahayag pa ni Tagel. Sa ilalim ng Ordinance No.18, Series of 2019, ang sinumang lumabag ay sasailalim sa mga sumusunod tulad ng limitasyon sa bilis ng trapiko. Mga parusa: First Offense fine P500.00, concurrent penalty Four (4) hours on road safety. Second offense – P2,000.00, four hours (4) seminar on road safety and tree (3) hours community service, and Third Offense – P2,500.00, Concurrent Penalty – Impoundment of motor vehicle and imprisonment of less than thirty (30) days, at the discretion of the Court. Kaugnay nito, binabalangkas ngayon ng Traffic and Transportation Management Division ng City Engineering Office, Traffic Enforcement Unit ng BCPO at ng City Legal Office ang panukalang amendment para isumite sa konseho ng lungsod. Matatandan, na humiling si Mayor Benjamin Magalong sa Konseho na irepaso o amendyahan ang nasabing odinansa para ayusin ang speed restrictions upang matiyak na angkop ang mga ito sa isang partikular na lugar. “We tried running at 30 kph along South Drive and it is not advisable. It should be around 40 kph. Same is true with Loakan Road, Kennon Road and Marcos Highway. We need to look at other roads where 20-30 kph limit is not appropriate .We have to be discerning regarding our speed limits. We need to amend our ordinance kasi may speed limits na hindi advisable,” paliwanag ni Magalong. Samantala, hindi lamang overspeeding ang binbantayan ngayon ng kapulisan, kundi ang mahigpit na pagpapatud din ng King of the Road Ordinance. Ang ordinansa ng King of the Road ay nag-uutos sa mga motorista na gumawa ng limang segundong full stop bago ang mga pedestrian lane. Ipinagbabawal din nito ang pagharang sa anumang bahagi ng pedestrian lane. Sa implementasyon, may kabuuang 490 motorista ang nahuli dahil sa paglabag sa ordinansa mula Mayo 29 hanggang Hunyo 9. Ayon kay Tagel, ang pagpapatupad ng ordinansa ay bilang bahagi ng Operational Plan Discipline, Respect, Infrastructure, Vigilance and Education (Oplan DRIVE) ng BCPO. Aniya, ang Oplan DRIVE na ngayon ay ipinapatupad sa 14 Police Station ay naglalayong tugunan ang dumaraming vehicular traffic incidents (VTIs) sa lungsod. Ang mga lumalabag ay nahaharap sa kaukulang parusa at kinakailangang pagdalo sa mga mandatoryong seminar sa trapiko. Sinabi ni Tagel na nilalayon nilang panatilihin ang Oplan DRIVE bilang bahagi ng patuloy na pagsisikap nitong palakasin ang pagpapatupad ng batas trapiko at isulong ang kaligtasan ng publiko sa lungsod. By Zaldy Comanda                  

By Roline Cabantoc- BA English Language Studies, University of the Cordilleras   Fifteen employees from the nine branches under the SSS Luzon North 1 Division and attached offices competed to claim as the Best Customer Service, Best Support Service and Best Supervisor, during its annual Search for Best Employees last June 16, 2025 held at SSS Baguio office. This year, TJ Christian Ruiz, Social Security Officer III and Jenny Jane Baybaya, Senior Member Service Representative, both from SSS Baguio emerged as Best Supervisor and Best Customer Service respectively. Lovely Lamorena, Senior Executive Assistant from the Office of the Vice President was declared the Best Support Service Employee. All three winners will advance to Luzon Operations Group Level Search. Concurrent Acting Vice President Nancy M. Umoso commended the Baguio Branch awardees, emphasizing that their success reflects the high standards upheld by the SSS. “This achievement is not only a source of pride for the Baguio Branch but also the entire division. It proves that through innovation, integrity, and dedication, we can elevate public service to greater heights,” she stated. The selection was based on three main criteria: Outstanding Performance and Impact, Exemplary Ethical Behavior, and Personality. The first criterion recognized innovative contributions that improved service delivery, including sustainable practices aligned with the SSS’s goals in governance, social responsibility, and environmental care. The second evaluated each nominee’s adherence to the Code of Conduct under Republic Act No. 6713, as well as the core values of the SSS. The final criterion assessed communication skills, professionalism, flexibility, and interpersonal effectiveness. The Search for Best Employee is part of the annual celebration of SSS Anniversary celebrated during September. For this year, SSS will celebrate its 68th year of founding.