From adversity blooms art that touches the soul. Mark Bernardo Agcaoili paints not with his hands but with a boundless heart and his feet. Mark creates powerful lifework portraits that reflect his unbreakable spirit. After losing the ability to use his hands and voice due to meningitis at age 11, he turned adversity into art. His remarkable tribute portrait of Mayor Benjamin Magalong, crafted on May 30, 2025, during a mobile exhibit at SM City Baguio, proves that passion knows no boundaries. /ET

BAGUIO CITY – Ipinagmalaki at buong-pusong hinangaan ni Mayor Benjamin Magalong ang mga matatalinong botante bilang patunay sa paniniwala sa kanyang isinusulong na Good Governance sa siyudad ng Baguio. “Nais kong ipaalala sa inyo na ang Baguio City ay nagiging modelo ng mabuting pamamahala sa buong bansa, mga ibang local government units, ibang lokalidad, ibang mga mamamayan ng probinsya at lungsod, ay nakatingin sa lungsod ng Baguio,” ito ang naging mensahe ni Magalong sa naganap na flag raising ceremony sa City Hall. Ayon kay Magalong, hinimok nito ang mga mamamayan na huwag payagan ang mga corrupt politicians, extortionist politicians, magnanakaw na politicians, mga sinungaling na pulitiko na sirain ang reputasyon ng lungsod. “This should as a lessons to all those corrupt politicians at yong mga trapo na politicians o trapo.” Aniya, hindi kayang paglaruan ng mga pulitikong ito ang isip ng mga taga-Baguio, dahil mas marami ang matatalinong botante sa lungsod at mas marami ang hindi naniniwala, kaya naman ang katotohanan ay nanaig. “Nandito ang inyong Alkalde at ang iba pang good governance politicians na nagpapanatili sa mahusay na pamamahala para sa siyudad ng Baguio. Sinabi pa ni Magalong, na sa kauna-unahang kasaysayan ng Baguio City ay bumaha ng pera. “Are we going to allow that to happen to the city?, first time din na sobrang kasinungalingan ang ikinalat na systematic in a very systematic sustain, orchestrated and deliberate manner.” Aniya sa mga tiwaling politiko na ito para sirain ang reputasyon ng mga kandidato, ay hindi na mangyayari. Ipinagmamalaki din ni Magalong na ang Baguio City ay naiiba sa ibang lugar, na tinitingala ng mga tao, kahit na ang ibang bansa ay tumitingin sa lungsod ng Baguio at nanawagan sa mamamayan na huwag payagan na sirain ito ng mga pulitikong corrupt. (Zaldy Comanda)                  

Baguio City has the second highest functional literacy rate among highly urbanized cities in the country. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s second report on the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS), the city posted a 89.8 percent literacy rate next to San Juan City with 94.5 percent. It was trailed by Pasig with 89.1 percent, Pateros (88.1percent), Makati (87.3 percent), City of Las Piñas (87.1 percent), City of Taguig (86.1 percent), City of Mandaluyong (84.6 percent), City of Cagayan de Oro (84.4 percent) and City of Navotas (83.3 percent). The PSA also reported that out of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) “out of the 17 regions in the Philippines, recorded the highest functional literacy rate in 2024 at 81.2 percent. Among provinces, Benguet had the highest functional literacy rate in the country with 87.9 percent. The PSA defined functional literacy as “the ability of a person to read, write, compute and comprehend. In addition to the basic literacy skills, functional literacy includes higher level of comprehension skills, such as integrating two or more pieces of information and making inferences based on the given information.” As to the basic literacy defined as ” as the ability of a person to read and write a simple message in any language or dialect with understanding, and to compute or perform basic mathematical operations,” Apayao recorded the highest basic literacy rate among all provinces in the country at 95.2 percent.  Benguet came in second at 94.9 percent. CAR posted the second highest basic literacy rate among regions in 2024 at 92.7 percent. (Aileen P. Refuerzo)

BAGUIO CITY – Pamamahalaan na ng city government ang operasyon ng 50 years-old Maharlika Livelihood Complex kasunod ng pormal na turnover ceremony na ginanap sa Maharlika Lobby, noong Mayo 28. Ang Human Settlements Development Corporation (HSDC), sa ilalim ng agriculture department ang namahala sa pasilidad sa loob ng 50 taon, ay pormal na ibinalik ang kontrol sa lungsod. Sinabi ni Mayor Benjamin Magalong na layunin ng lungsod na baguhin ang istruktura sa isang modelo ng sustainable, livable, inclusive, at locally empowered development. Binabalangkas niya ang mga plano upang muling pasiglahin at i-maximize ang potensyal ng Maharlika Complex. Tinitiyak din ni Magalong sa mga nangungupahan at negosyo sa complex na ang lungsod ay nakatuon sa pagprotekta sa kanilang mga interes, lalo na ang pagpigil sa mga kasanayan sa subleasing. Tinitiyak din niya na isang serye ng mga diyalogo at pampublikong konsultasyon ang isasagawa upang matiyak na ang mga nangungupahan at ang publiko ay kasangkot sa pagpaplano ng mga pagpapaunlad at pagbabago sa hinaharap sa complex. Batay sa data na nakuha ng lungsod mula sa kasalukuyang pamamahala ng Maharlika, mayroong higit sa 600 mga negosyo na matatagpuan sa istraktura. Gayunpaman, sa 600 na mga negosyo, mayroong ilang mga establisyimento na walang kinakailangang business permit mula sa lungsod, kaya’t ang City Treasury Office ay gumagawa ng nararapat na aksyon upang mapilitan ang mga nasabing negosyo na makuha ang kanilang mga permit mula sa lungsod. Sinabi ni City Budget Officer Leticia O. Clemente na kasalukuyang ginagawa ng transition team ang mga polisiya at guidelines na pansamantalang ipatutupad sa pangangasiwa at pamamahala ng pasilidad habang hinihintay ang pagkumpleto ng nabanggit na plano upang magkaroon rin ng pagpapatuloy sa operasyon ng umiiral na negosyo na matatagpuan sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng gusali. Ang ceremonial turnover ay dinaluhan nina Mayor Magalong, incoming Congressman Mauricio Domogan, Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan, HSDC General Manager Gen. Robert M. Arevalo, at Agriculture Secretary Francisco Laurel, na kinakatawan ni Undersecretary Engr. Roger V. Navarro, kasama ang mga miyembro ng Sangguniang Panlungsod at iba pang opisyal ng lungsod. (ZC)    

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has signed a 25-year contract agreement with property giant Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), for the lease  of the John Hay Technohub (also known as Ayala Technohub) in Camp John Hay, Baguio City. This prime property is projected to boost revenues for the government and will continue to provide employment for the local community. “This partnership ensures that business continues to thrive smoothly  while we build a stronger, brighter future for all. It reflects the deep trust and confidence that respected companies like Ayala place in government. At BCDA, we are living up to our promise to keep Camp John Hay a place where great things happen,” BCDA President and CEO Engr. Joshua M. Bingcang said. Under the terms of the agreement, the property will continue to serve its current purpose, providing stability for the existing business while paving the way for broader economic gains. Ayala Land, a seasoned player in property development, has been instrumental in shaping the John Hay TechnoHub. This includes not only a conducive business process outsourcing (BPO) building but also vibrant retail clusters. For the BCDA, the partnership represents a significant strategic advantage, with projections indicating an estimated Php600 million in generated revenues. This fiscal benefit is further underscored by the demonstrated success in land value capture, which has averaged an impressive 14% across Ayala developments. Beyond the fiscal benefits, the agreement will continue to  provide more employment opportunities to the local community, thereby providing a considerable uplift in job stability in the area, which currently  employs 3,000. The partnership emphasizes a commitment to maximizing the utility of existing assets, attracting fresh investments, and critically, cultivating a resilient and sustainable economic ecosystem for the benefit of the Filipino people. Since it recovered Camp John Hay property in January, the BCDA bagged over Php1.4 billion in investments from new commercial and residential lease agreements, signaling strong investor confidence in the organization’s track record.    

As a public servant and advocate for good governance, I welcome President Bongbong Marcos’ call for courtesy resignations of cabinet secretaries, viewing it as a demonstration of his commitment to reform. When we met in 2018, prior to the filing of his candidacy for the presidency, he expressed his desire to redeem his father’s name, and his most recent initiative is a step in that direction. To build on this momentum and restore trust and integrity in government, I propose the following measures to strengthen the fight against corruption: Abolish congressional pork barrel allocations in executive departments like DPWH, DSWD, DOLE, DOH, etc., ensuring transparency and accountability in resource allocation. Shield departmental appointments, particularly in frontline departments like DPWH, from congressional interference to ensure merit-based selections. Eliminate the practice of “percentages” of corrupt politicians in public projects and other forms of corruption that undermine public trust. ALL TRANSPARENCY IN THE BIDDING PROCESS TO PREEMPT RIGGED BIDDINGS THAT ONLY BENEFIT CORRUPT POLITICIANS (AND THEIR RELATIVES) WHO ARE CONTRACTORS AND SUPPLIERS. Hold corrupt politicians accountable through swift and impartial prosecution. Remove congressional control over programs like AKAP, AICS, MAIP, TUPAD, CHED, and TESDA scholarships, ensuring these resources directly benefit the people WITH FULL TRANSPARENCY and without partisan influence. While call for courtesy resignations is a welcome start, it is crucial that we continue to push for meaningful and GENUINE reforms. By working together, we can make Good Governance the standard in public service, prioritizing the welfare of the Filipino people above all else.   BENJAMIN B. MAGALONG Public Servant  

BAGUIO CITY –After being re-elected for a third term, Mayor Benjamin Magalong assured the public that his administration will continue to pursue its seven-point core agenda to address the Summer Capital’s pressing issues. These are:  Environment, land use and energy; Climate and Disaster Resilience; Urban Regeneration; Empowering the Youth; Economic Recovery and Development; Smart City Management; and Good Governance.“Ituloy-tuloy namin iyong aming mga programa.We will continue to pursue our seven-point agenda at kailangan natin talagang i-fasttrack at i-expedite iyong mga programa para masolusyonan iyong problema natin sa urban decay,” he said. Urban decay refers to a process where a city or parts of it deteriorates and declines, often characterized by dilapidated buildings, poor infrastructure, increased social problems, and more. Magalong promised his unwavering commitment to fighting all forms of corruption as he also expressed his gratitude to residents for re-electing him and to his supporters for their continued trust and confidence in his leadership. “Your trust is my strength, and I draw inspiration from it to continue advocating for Good Governance and a Corrupt-Free Baguio whose leaders do not lead by greed but with honor. Let us make Baguio a model of Good Governance for the entire country,” he stressed. Calls for Unity,Reconciliation Now that the noise of the recent midterm elections has faded, Magalong is urging residents of the Summer Capital “to turn our energy toward reconciliation, unity and shared purpose.” “Isang-tabi na ang bangayan. Let us rise above division and instead focus on working together, supporting the leaders that the people have chosen,” he said. As he thanked everyone for “your trust, your courage and your love for our city”, the Mayor assured that his administration will continue to work tirelessly for the sustainable progress of “our beloved Baguio”. Magalong stressed that his electoral victory is a victory for every Baguio resident who believes in honest governance, inclusive leadership, and a vision for a better, more progressive city. “Magtulungan tayo, sama-samang bumangon, at isulong ang progresong tunay na nais ng mga taga-Baguio,” he appealed. Gaby Keith and Ariel Biala

Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City (May 17, 2025) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged the 266-strong members of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Siklab-Laya” (Sundalong Isinilang na Kasangga at Lakas ng Ating Bayan Para sa Kalayaan) graduating class of 2025 to prioritize “love of country” over anything else. “Our country needs men and women who put their country and others above themselves, who sacrifice for the good of all, and who overcome us because they believe in the bright future ahead,” Marcos Jr. told the new Second Lieutenants and Ensigns led by valedictorian Jessie Ticar Jr., who rightfully promised, “we are ready”. The President stressed, “the most important is your love of country. That is an officer who knows how to love his country despite its flaws in the most sincere way.” Marcos Jr. admitted he is impressed by the perseverance, strength and dedication showed by these year’s PMA graduates, which enabled them to reach the culmination of their study and training. He also recognized that the path treaded by the Siklab-Laya class of 2025 was not easy, while citing how their class valedictorian, despite having a very difficult childhood went on the top the premier military training institution, even as a summa cum laude and with the highest point grade among the four so far who graduated as such. The President while acknowledging there may be nights of self-doubt amongst the graduates and possibly questions if they made the right choice, he lauded them for not giving up, adding that after four years of discipline training, hard work, they are now ready to serve the country as new officers (of the Armed Forces of the Philippines).” Marcos Jr. also primed that today’s warfare goes beyond land, seas and skies. ‘We have battles that are invisible to radar once they take place in cyberspace, in protecting information and safeguarding the environment and helping communities during crisis.’ Fortunately, your training now includes courses that were once unseen in the military academy, artificial intelligence, drone operations, strategic thinking, ethical leadership, amongst others. The President admired Siklab-Laya class of 2025 being the first batch to be trained on Pag-asa Island . “You also brought the PMA‘s name to international foreign competitions that both your organizational military skills from academic conferences in Palermo International sailing regatta in Italy India, among others in every instance. You have proof that the Filipino soldier is ready to face the world with dignity and to show his excellence.” Marcos Jr. further noted that physical strength and agility are no longer enough. “What we need just as much are your mental sharpness and your compassion. ✍️📷ARTEMIO A. DUMLAO  

In a proactive effort to enhance barangay security, John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) President and CEO Manjit T. Singh Reandi recently met with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Atty. Isagani Nerez to discuss strategies for strengthening safety measures within the John Hay reservation communities. Sharing a deep connection to their hometown, Baguio City, the two leaders agreed to underline the necessity of monitoring community vulnerabilities and adopting effective security actions to protect local residents. JHMC, for its part, conducts around-the-clock patrols to enforce community safety measures and guidelines, ensuring a more secure Camp John Hay. This latest collaboration, however, seeks to go even further by creating opportunities for synchronized programs, enhanced support for barangay safety campaigns, and awareness initiatives shaped by both law enforcement agencies—all while maintaining a strong commitment to community development goals