By Zaldy Comanda   BAGUIO CITY – “We will not have any problems with water supply this summer season, because the Baguio Water District has responded to our request to increase or increase the construction of deep wells,” said Mayor Benjamin Magalong. According to Magalong, BAWADI’s program to build 10 deep wells per year is ongoing. “Last year, they built 12 deep wells and this year they are targeting to build 10 more deep wells. He said the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), together with local governments, are also continuing inspections of illegal deep wells. It is expected that some private deep wells will be closed, especially in areas that are unsafe and do not comply with regulations, especially in sanitation. “More than 600 deep wells are considered colorum, the majority of these deep wells are actually unsafe, so they are unregulated, so these are the ones we are focusing on, so we are reducing illegal unregulated deep wells.” According to Magalong, BAWADI is very responsive in digging for deep wells and there is also a project that aims to build Rainwater Harvesting Facilities in the Buyog Watershed worth P50 million.   He said that improvements are also ongoing in the three Rainwater Harvesting Facilities in the Busol Watershed, which is the main source of water in the city. “We are still monitoring the Busol Watershed with the help of our police force, to prevent illegal settlers from entering it. It is important that we monitor it, because otherwise it will be a huge problem if we lose our water supply,” “It is good that we are not experiencing any drought, unlike in 2023 to 2024 when we experienced eight months of water supply shortage, but now we will not experience this,” Magalong said.    

Mayor Benjamin Magalong signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ICanServe Foundation Inc. on Friday, March 21. This partnership aims to strengthen breast cancer awareness, early detection, and patient care in Baguio City by enhancing the training of medical and barangay health workers. Through this collaboration, the City Government of Baguio and ICanServe Foundation will collaborate to provide education and training on Clinical Breast Examination and Patient Navigation. These efforts will help ensure that breast cancer cases are detected early and that patients receive the necessary support and guidance throughout their treatment journey. With this initiative, Baguio City strengthens its commitment to accessible and proactive healthcare for its residents. By empowering health workers and increasing public awareness, the city moves closer to creating a future where breast cancer is diagnosed early and treated with urgency and compassion.    

  Mayor Benjamin Magalong accepted an award from the Philippine Quality Award (PQA) Regionalization Program, during the Regional Development Council’s first-quarter meeting, on March 18. Planning Officer IV Georgina Ngolab of the City Planning Development and Sustainability Office similarly received the award. This milestone reflects the city’s efforts to improve its quality management procedures. Mayor Magalong guided Baguio through the first stage of the PQA Regionalization Program, advancing it to the next stage and finally receiving the national PQA award. The PQA, which is overseen by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), is the country’s highest accreditation for organizational excellence, guaranteeing that government offices and institutions adhere to rigorous governance, efficiency, and public service standards. Mayor Magalong is dedicated to improving leadership, strategic planning, customer service, and operational efficiency. By implementing these principles, Baguio City hopes to improve its operations, provide better services, and gain national recognition for its governance standards.

    Si Baguio Tourism Council Chairperson at congressional aspirant na si Gladys Vergara ay nagpapatuloy sa kanyang adbokasiya para sa sustainable at eco-friendly na mga solusyon, na nagsusulong ng solar at renewable energy sa iba’t ibang barangay sa buong lungsod. Bilang bahagi ng kanyang Glad to be Green initiative, binisita niya ang Gabriela Silang, Happy Homes, Lourdes Subdivision Extension, Brookside, at Salud Mitra, kung saan pinalakas niya ang kahalagahan ng solar-powered lighting para sa mas ligtas at mas napapanatiling komunidad. Ang pangako ni Vergara sa pag-iilaw sa mga kalye at barangay para sa kaligtasan ng publiko ay nananatiling nasa puso ng kanyang misyon. Sa kanyang pakikipag-ugnayan sa Happy Homes Barangay, nagbigay siya ng solar-powered streetlights, na nagbibigay ng pagkakataon sa barangay na mailagay ang mga ito sa mga lugar kung saan sila ay higit na kailangan. Sa Lourdes Subdivision Extension, tinugunan din ni Gladys Vergara ang matagal nang isyu ng baha sa komunidad. Naalala niya kung paano pinangunahan ng kanyang ama, si dating Congressman Bernardo Vergara, ang declogging ng City Camp Lagoon, na makabuluhang nabawasan ang pagbaha. Gayunpaman, dahil sa kakulangan ng patuloy na pagpapanatili, ang lugar ay nananatiling nasa panganib. Tiniyak ni Vergara sa mga residente ang kanyang pangako na kumpletuhin ang hindi pa natapos na proyektong ito upang maprotektahan ang barangay mula sa mga darating na baha. Bukod pa rito, binigyang-diin ni Vergara ang pangangailangan para sa mas magandang imprastraktura ng komunidad, partikular sa mga barangay na walang permanenteng bulwagan. Ipinunto niya na ang Happy Homes Barangay Hall, na orihinal na itinayo bilang pansamantalang istraktura sa ilalim ng Magsaysay Avenue flyover sa pamamagitan ng inisyatiba ni dating Congressman Bernardo Vergara, ay hindi pa napapalitan. Nangako siya na tutulong sa pagkakaroon ng isang permanenteng at well-equipped barangay hall upang mapahusay ang mga lokal na serbisyo. Ang mga pagbisita ni Vergara ay sinalubong ng mainit na pasasalamat mula sa mga lokal na pinuno, kabilang sina Barangay Captain Orlando Basongit ng Gabriela Silang Barangay, Barangay Captain Arkinson Fianza ng Happy Homes Barangay, Barangay Captain Jeffrey Timmango ng Lourdes Subdivision Extension Barangay, Barangay Captain James Doligas ng Brookside Barangay, at Barangay Captain Nida Galace ng Salud Mitra Barangay, kasama ang lahat ng miyembro ng kani-kanilang barangay council. Higit pa sa kanyang adbokasiya, si Gladys Vergara, kasama ng mga kandidato sa konseho ng lungsod na sina Glenn Gaerlan at Eric Kelly, , ay bumisita din sa mga kaibigan sa Pinsao Pilot Project, kung saan siya ay malugod na tinanggap. Ipinaabot niya ang kanyang taos-pusong pasasalamat kay Sister Juanita sa kanyang mabuting pakikitungo at sa masarap na pagkain na kanyang inihanda. Sa kanyang pananaw para sa isang mas maliwanag, walang baha, at eco-friendly na Baguio, nananatiling matatag si Vergara sa kanyang misyon—isang barangay sa bawat pagkakataon.                  

  The newly constructed Irisan Multi-Purpose Hall has been inaugurated and turned over to the barangay led by barangay captain Arthur Carlos, on March 21. Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the project turned out well despite the challenges faced during the construction phase. He promised to secure additional funding to finish the second basement of the building, funding of which was made possible through the help of former Senator Ralph Recto and the Dept. of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Arch. Rad Bokipen of the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) said the multi-purpose building has two storey and two basements. The offices of the punong barangay, session hall and administrative staff are located at the second storey while the offices of the medical emergency, barangay disaster risk reduction and management and nutrition office occupy the ground floor. The first basement will house the offices of the lupon tagapamayapa, barangay tanod, anti-violence against women and children (VAWC), barangay anti-drug abuse council (BADAC) and family life resource center (FLRC). The second basement is planned for the barangay library, tourism office, function hall and chapel.              

BAGUIO CITY —The John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) has accomplished another key development by unveiling its new ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) logo, which is valid from March 20, 2025, to March 19, 2028. This represents the corporation’s dedication to provide high-quality public services while conforming to international standards. The certificate was issued on October 30, 2024, after JHMC passed a comprehensive audit conducted by TUV SUD PSB Philippines Inc., a third-party certifying body. The audit covered a wide range of JHMC operations, which include business development and events management, regulatory services, forest and environment management, and land asset management. “This achievement is a reflection of the collective hard work, passion, and dedication of everyone at JHMC,” said Atty. Marlo Ignacio V. Quadra, President and CEO of JHMC. “It inspires us to keep pushing boundaries and to provide our stakeholders with the quality service they truly deserve.” To honor the unveiling of QMS certification, JHMC also conducted a game related to the QMS, in which they shared knowledge about the corporation’s journey to receiving the ISO 9001 Quality Management System (QMS) Certificate. This was to foster and celebrate JHMC’s continuous improvement and success. The certification pronouncement is more than simply an official recognition; it demonstrates JHMC’s ability to exceed the customers’ expectations and manage its resources effectively and efficiently. JHMC remains determined to build on this success and make a lasting positive impact on the lives of the people it serves.