BAGUIO CITY — Isang 35-anyos na negosyante ang inaresto ng mga tauhan ng Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) sa AZCKO Barangay, Baguio City, dahil sa paglabag sa COMELEC gun ban sa ilalim ng Omnibus Election Code,noong Mayo 3. Ang pagkakaaresto ay matapos makatanggap ng ulat ang mga tauhan ng Police Station 7 na ang suspek ay may hawak na baril sa loob ng kanyang sasakyan. Tumuloy ang mga tauhan sa lokasyon kung saan nakaparada ang sasakyan ng huli. Sa pag-verify, narekober ng pulisya ang isang 9mm Glock 45 pistol na puno ng magazine na naglalaman ng sampung (10) live na round. Ang baril ay nakarehistro ngunit nabigo ang suspek na magpakita ng Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR) at Certificate of Authority mula sa COMELEC, parehong kailangan sa panahon ng halalan. Pinaalalahanan ni BCPO City Director Col. Ruel Tagel ang publiko na ang COMELEC gun ban na nagkabisa noong Enero 12, 2025 ay nananatiling may bisa at magpapatuloy hanggang Hunyo 11, 2025. Ang pag-aresto ay isa sa mga hakbang na ipinapatupad upang matiyak isang mapayapang Pambansa at Lokal na Halalan. “Bilang bahagi ng aming pangako sa pagpapanatili kapayapaan at kaayusan sa lungsod, patuloy na babantayan at ipatutupad ng BCPO ang COMELEC gun ban at iba pang batas na may kaugnayan sa halalan. Hinihikayat namin ang lahat na mag-ulat ng anuman kahina-hinalang aktibidad o paglabag, habang nagtutulungan tayo para pangalagaan ang integridad ng proseso ng elektoral at ang kaligtasan ng ating komunidad,” aniya. Binigyang-diin din niya iyon ang mga mahahanap na lumalabag sa Kodigo ay sasailalim sa buong puwersa ng batas.            

“Basta kailangan, basta kaya … ibibigay naman namin.” Mayor Benjamin Magalong gave this assurance during the 2025 National Solo Parents Day Celebration program at Dona Aurora Elementary School, just after an Eco Advocacy Walk activity, recently. “Solo Parent na Rehistrado, sa Gobyerno Tiyak na Suportado”, is this year’s theme. The Mayor pointed out that after the recently conducted Solo Parents Summit, the city government remains deeply aware of the growing number of solo parents every year. “While challenges remain, the city government does not waver nor compromise in its commitment to provide assistance through medical, social, health, or financial services,” he stressed. Magalong said  the celebration “is a strong reminder that every step taken in service is a step closer to uplifting our solo parents.” Local police personnel and Red Cross volunteers also provided free blood pressure check ups and facilitated blood donations during the event to support the community. The celebration was spearheaded by the City Social Welfare and Development Office under officer-in-charge Cynthia Langagan. – Mikaela Bello and Gaby Keith        

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and its subsidiaries John Hay Management Corporation and Poro Point Management Corporation (PPMC) signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-Water) to pursue smart water management system in Camp John Hay in Baguio City and Poro Point in La Union. Under the agreements, K-Water will contribute its extensive expertise and proven track record in water resources development, management, and cutting-edge smart water technology. K-Water will leverage its advanced expertise in water supply management, particularly its Smart Water Network Management (SWNM) system, to deliver a solution tailored to the specific needs of the local environment. The project will commence with the deployment of experts to assess existing infrastructure and develop a strategic implementation plan. “K-water is the ideal partner to address the critical water management challenges we face in the revitalization of Camp John Hay, the continued development of Poro Point, and the dynamic growth of New Clark City,” BCDA President and CEO Joshua M. Bingcang said. Bingcang expressed confidence that this strategic collaboration with K-Water directly addresses the pressing challenges the Philippines faces due to climate change. “By partnering with K-water, we are embarking on a transformative journey that will drastically reduce water loss and establish AI-powered water purification plants that will ensure a stable and high-quality water supply for the communities we serve,” he added. Furthermore, these agreements will also allow BCDA to focus on key areas such as diagnosing and improving water supply stability; investigating new water resources; reducing leakage; and sharing knowledge in the water sector. Last year, BCDA also partnered with K-Water on water resource development in New Clark City, where they conducted feasibility studies for comprehensive water management plans, ensuring a stable supply through AI-driven water purification systems. This initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and Goal 13 (Climate Action).  

In celebration of National Heritage Month this May, the City of Baguio proudly re-launches “Dugad Mi” an inspiring multimedia exhibit crafted by the city’s youth, capturing the soul and identity of their communities. “Dugad Mi,” meaning “Our Place” in Ibaloy, serves as a profound expression of the young generation’s connection to their heritage and aspirations for the future. National Heritage Month, declared under Presidential Decree No. 439, emphasizes the importance of fostering consciousness, respect, and love for Filipino cultural history. In 2025, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) set the theme “Preserving Legacies, Building Futures: Empowering Communities through Heritage,” underscoring the role of heritage in empowering future generations. Answering this call, Baguio City’s Cultural Mapping Project initiated by the City Planning, Development, and Sustainability Office documented 327 natural and cultural heritage resources, including significant personalities in the city’s history. Building on this foundation, the “Dugad Mi” project empowered Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) leaders from 25 barangays through modular training sessions that explored the meaning of “place,” local histories, and the critical role of heritage conservation. Through creative visual arts exercises, participants reconnected with their communities, translating memories, stories, and identities into powerful exhibits. Their works reveal how history, values, and traditions shape meaningful places transforming empty spaces into vibrant, living communities. Originally launched during last year’s Ibagiw Festival, “Dugad Mi” is a collaborative effort of the City Planning, Development and Sustainability Office and the Baguio City Creative Council. It represents a strategic planning initiative that blends heritage conservation with creative placemaking, offering a framework that supports Baguio’s identity as a UNESCO Creative City. Rosella Camte-Bahni, from the City Planning, Development and Sustainability Office, emphasized the lasting impact of the project: “Our young people, having traced their roots through this project, now see their communities with new eyes filled with pride, meaning, and responsibility. They can now truly and proudly say, ‘This is my place. This is Dugad Mi.’” The City of Baguio invites everyone to visit the exhibit and join in celebrating National Heritage Month. Discover the powerful stories of our young artists and reflect on the legacies that shape our shared future.    

    BAGUIO CITY – Muling pinalasap ng Department of Tourism-Cordillera sa kanilang 6th Mangan Taku Food Fair ang mga katutubong pagkain at inumin, kabilang ang mga One Town, One Product (OTOP) mula sa iba’t ibang lalawigan at lungsod ng Cordillera na matutunghayan sa Rose Garden, Baguio City, mula Abril 24 hanggang 28. Kasalukuyang nalakalatag sa bawat booth ng lalawigan ng Abra, Kalinga, Benguet, Mt.Province, Apayao, Ifugao at mga kalahok na iba’t ibang food establishment ng Baguio City, ang kani-kanilang pangunahing produkto, para ipakita sa publiko ang yaman ng kultura ng rehiyon. Ayon kay DOT Regional Director Jovita Ganongan, ang aktibidad ay alinsunod sa Family Food Month na ipinagdiriwang tuwing Abril at ang food fair ay muling magpapakita ng iba’t ibang Cordillera cuisines kung saan magkakaroon ng pagkakataon ang publiko na makibahagi sa mga espesyal na delicacy sa mismong puso ng lungsod bilang bahagi ng patuloy na pagsisikap na gawing popular at bigyang-daan ang mga bisita at residente ng lungsod na matikman ang iba’t ibang katutubong Cordillera foods. Sinabi niya na sa taong ito, maglalagay ang departamento ng turismo ng mga sticker ng Mangan Taku sa mga hotel at restaurant na naghahain ng Cordilleran cuisine sa kanilang mga menu upang agad na malaman ng mga bisita na available ang lokal na pagkain sa mga naturang establisyimento. Ang taunang Mangan Taku Food Fair ay inendorso ng hindi bababa sa Regional Development Council sa Cordillera at iba’t ibang lokal na pamahalaan upang matiyak ang pinakamalawak na partisipasyon ng mga concerned stakeholders alinsunod sa agresibong promosyon ng Cordilleran cuisine sa mga dayuhan at lokal na turista. Ayon kay Ganongan, hindi na kailangan ng mga turista at maging ang Cordilleran na pumunta sa iba’t ibang probinsya upang matikman ang mga katutubong delicacy dahil madali itong makukuha sa isang lugar, kaya naman, maaaring gumala ang mga tao at matikman ang iba’t ibang specialty ng Cordilleran. Ang Mangan Taku Food Fair ay itinatag din ng City Ordinance No. 81 noong 2019 at alinsunod sa Proclamation No. 469 na inilabas noong 2018 na nagdedeklara sa buwan ng Abril bilang Filipino Food Month na may layuning itaguyod ang pagpapahalaga, preserbasyon, at pagtataguyod ng mga tradisyon at culinary treasures sa Pilipinas, at ang yaman ng industriya ng Pilipinas. kinabukasan. mga pamayanang agrikultural. Sinabi pa ni Ganongan na ang taunang pagdaraos ng Mangan Taku ay lilikha ng interes mula sa maraming dayuhan at lokal na turista na sabik na tikman ang mga katutubong pagkain at tikman ang iba’t ibang inumin ng Cordillera. By Zaldy Comanda