A six-month demonstration run of the “John Hay Loop,” an electric-vehicle transport shuttle service in Camp John Hay, is set to launch soon, aiming to boost accessibility, reduce traffic congestion, and enhance visitor experience within the zone. On 24 June 2025, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and its subsidiary John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) formalized their partnership with South Korea-based DeviceDesign Co. Ltd. and Cordillera Basic Sector Transport Cooperative (CBSTC) with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the implementation of the pilot run, which aims to assess the viability, performance, and community impact of the proposed intra-zone transport service. Targeted to start on 15 July,  the trial run will involve an initial three units of electric vehicles that will operate around Camp John Hay with no fare required from passengers. “Through this project, the BCDA seeks to show its commitment to help Baguio City and the community in addressing emerging urban problems, while also fulfilling our promise to take care of the environment and Baguio’s natural charm and beauty. This also exhibits BCDA’s innovation-driven outlook for its properties—our willingness to embrace climate-resilient mobility solutions to drive sustainable development, enhance efficiency, and create smarter, future-ready communities,” said BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Joshua M. Bingcang. The pilot shuttle service will loop around designated stations around Camp John Hay, with pre-determined routes and schedules to be finalized by the parties prior to the start of operations. DeviceDesign and the CBSTC will evaluate commuter experience and assess logistical and operational constraints of the service through ridership monitoring, customer feedback collection, operational data gathering, and performance evaluation. They will then provide recommendations and design inputs for the long-term implementation of John Hay Loop. CBSTC CEO Jude Wal explained that the cooperative will operate the latest e-vehicle technology that can navigate the rough terrain of Baguio City, making them also viable for other areas in the Cordillera region. “We are very thankful that the BCDA thought of this loop. We believe that if we have an efficient and effective public transportation system, that [will stimulate] the economy of a place, and we share this vision with the BCDA,” he said. DeviceDesign President and CEO Young Guk Cho added, “we believe that Camp John Hay can become a model for smart and green city development in the Philippines. This project is not just about technology, it’s about improving life and building a brighter future for the people of Baguio and beyond.” The John Hay Loop project aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal No. 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and Goal No. 13: Climate Action.    

By Jordan G. Habbiling   Atty. John Paul Martin, Chairperson of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) – Baguio, has expressed his strong support for the proposed Voter Education Ordinance, emphasizing its potential in raising awareness and motivating first-time voters to participate in the electoral process by registering. Principally authored by Councilor Vladimir Cayabas, the proposed ordinance seeks to engage the first-time voters, particularly the youth, on their right to suffrage, its significance, and the proper way to exercise it. During the public consultation on June 25, 2025, Martin expressed alarm over the extremely low registration rate among 18-year-old Baguio residents. He drew his figures from Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data focusing on 18-year-olds in Baguio City. When he cross-referenced that with the number of 18-year-old Baguio residents who registered to vote for the 2025 national and local elections, he found that only 9.5% of them were registered. He claimed that the dismal voter registration rate among the youth had significantly contributed to the lack of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials in many barangays in the city as there were not enough registered youth to qualify for SK positions. Based on 2024 reports, only 51 out of the city’s 128 barangays have SK quorum while 61 barangays have an incomplete set of SK officials and no quorum, and 16 barangays have neither an SK Chairperson nor SK kagawads. The COMELEC official said the possible suspension of the SK and barangay elections in December 2025 would give the city more time to strengthen voter education efforts, particularly targeting first-time voters and the youth. However, on a positive note, he mentioned that 84% of registered voters in the city had actually voted during the last elections, indicating a relatively high voter turnout which is attributed to intensified programs and campaigns that helped inform and encourage citizens to participate in the elections. Aside from educating citizens about their right to suffrage, Martin said voter literacy will also guide them in understanding the appropriate metrics for choosing capable leaders. “When we settle for minimum qualifications in voting for candidates, we risk reducing public service to its lowest form. But when we aim higher, the quality of governance and public service improves.” “Let’s make the right choices starting at the barangay level kasi dito natin unang nararamdaman ang gobyerno. After that comes the city, then the national level. Mag-focus tayo sa mga bagay na ramdam natin. Kasi kung hindi natin nararamdaman ang magandang serbisyo, nawawalan tayo ng gana,” he stated. Martin commended Cayabas for proposing the ordinance, pledging that his office is ready to provide the necessary assistance for its implementation. The enactment of the ordinance will see the creation of a Voter Education and Empowerment Committee composed of a representative from the Baguio City Character Council, a representative from the Baguio City Peoples’ Council, a representative from the COMELEC – Baguio, and a representative from the Department of Education – Schools Division of Baguio. Also included are three representatives from the academe, three representatives from the religious sector, the Chairperson of the city council’s Committee on Education, Creativity, ICT, Culture, and Historical Research, the SK Federation President, and three representatives from youth organizations. The committee is tasked with leading youth engagement initiatives, organizing voter education activities, promoting integration of voter education in schools and barangays, assisting in data gathering for electoral-related programs, and performing other functions necessary to implement the ordinance. The proposed ordinance has passed first reading and is now set for further deliberation by the city council      

By Aileen P. Refuerzo   BAGUIO CITY — Mayor Benjamin Magalong will ask the city council to pass an ordinance increasing the penalty for irresponsible pet owners particularly those allowing their pets to discharge their waste in public areas. The mayor said it is high time to put more teeth to the measure to abate violations. “People should stop doing this. It is unsanitary and repulsive,” the mayor said. The mayor reminded that irresponsible dog owners are liable under City Ordinance No. 19 Series of 2021 or the Responsible Dog Ownership Ordinance of Baguio City. He called out careless dog owners who release their pets to defecate on roads, neighbor’s properties, parks and other public places. The mayor ordered the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO) to intensify the campaign against stray dogs. Ordinance No. 19-2021 penalizes dog owners who fail to properly perform their duties as dog owners causing discomfort to other people. The dog owners’ responsibilities as enumerated in the ordinance are: *They should only acquire and maintain dogs if they are capable and have the means to provide care *Submit the dogs for mandatory registration and regular vaccination and maintaining updated records *Provide their dogs with proper grooming, adequate food and clean shelter and maintain human-animal relationship and provide good health management program for their dogs. *Maintain control over their dogs with the use of a leash when in public places and collect and dispose of their pets’ feces at all times. *Take all measures to prevent their dogs from being stray or nuisance and report immediately any dog-biting incident and take appropriate precaution, and assist dog bite victims and shoulder all expenses incurred relative to the victim’s injuries. Fines for owners who refuse to put their pets on leash start at P500. The ordinance also mandates the registration of their pets with the CVAO or the barangay along with their mandatory vaccination.      

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.