By Frejane Rose A.Cruz/Contributor BAGUIO CITY –His Excellency Most Rev. Rafael T. Cruz, D.D., is now officially installed as new Bishop of Baguio City, during the solemn canonical ceremony today, Sept. 17, 2024 at the Baguio Cathedral of Our Lady of Atonement. Most. Rev. Cruz will be the third bishop of the Diocese of Baguio after the late Bishop Carlito J. Cenzon and Bishop Victor Bendico – The historic occasion was attended by city officials led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong, officials from Benguet and religious groups. Magalong and Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan also formally handed over the City Resolution No. 510 series of 2024 with the title “Welcoming Most Reverend Rafael T. Cruz as the 3rd Bishop of the Diocese of Baguio City. The province of Benguet also delivered their 106th Regular Meeting of the 11th Sanggunian Board Resolution with the title “Welcomingthe Most Rev. Rafael Tamboan Cruz, DD, as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Baguio which is comprised of the Ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the province of Benguet and City of Baguio. Bishop Cruz, who was born on March 12, 1960 in Mapandan, Pangasinan, became the Parish Priest of St. Ildephonse Parish in Poblacion, Malasiqui, Pangasinan and a priest of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan. He was ordained to the Sacred Order of Presbyters on September 8,1985 and has served in numerous ministries and serves the people in various capacities as member of the Presbyteral Council, member of the permanent committee for the Protection of Minors,Vicar Forane, and as an invited lecturer to the Mary Help of Christian Theology Seminary in San Fabian,Pangasinan, Immaculate Conception School of Theology in Vigan City,Ilocos Sur , and Recoletos Theology Seminary in Mira Nila,Quezon City. Bishop Cruz was appointed by Holy Father Pope Francis, as Bishop of the Diocese of Baguio on June 20, 2024, in place of MonsignorVictor Bendico. He was officially ordained as Bishop of Baguio City on September 7, 2024 at the Our Lady of Atonement, known as Baguio Cathedral.              

  LUNGSOD NG BAGUIO – Ang kasalukuyang pinuno ng Konseho ng Turismo ng Baguio na si Gladys Vergara, ay matagal nang naging isang makabuluhang pigura sa buhay pampulitika at sibil ng lungsod, na may paglalakbay sa pamumuno na nagsimula sa kanyang kabataan at patuloy na nakakaapekto sa Baguio ngayon. Sa mga kamakailang pag-uusap sa mga lider ng kabataan sa iba’t ibang barangay, masayang pinagnilayan ni Vergara ang kanyang mga unang taon sa pamumuno. Ikinuwento niya ang kanyang pagkakasangkot sa wala na ngayong Kabataang Barangay (KB), ang pasimula ng Sangguniang Kabataan Federation ngayon, kung saan una niyang hinasa ang mga kasanayan sa pamumuno na tutukuyin ang kanyang karera. “Sa aking mga unang taon, pinamunuan ko ang Kabataang Barangay ng Baguio at kalaunan ay nahalal bilang KB Federation Regional President para sa Rehiyon 1,” pagbabahagi ni Vergara. “Ang mga karanasang ito ay napakahalaga, na humuhubog sa aking pag-unawa sa pamumuno at paglilingkod, na aking dinala sa mga susunod kong tungkulin.” Dahil sa pangako ni Vergara sa serbisyo publiko, tumaas siya sa mga ranggo, simula bilang nahalal na KB President ng Upper QM Barangay, pagkatapos ay bilang KB City Federation President ng Baguio, at sa huli, bilang Bise Presidente ng KB National Executive Council. Ang kanyang paglalakbay sa pamumuno ay nagkaroon ng makasaysayang pagliko sa panahon ng magulong pampulitikang tanawin noong unang bahagi ng 1990s. Noong 1988 elections, si Ramon “Jun” Labo, isang kilalang faith healer, ay nanalo sa mayoralty race sa Baguio City ngunit kalaunan ay na-disqualify dahil sa citizenship issues, na nagresulta sa pagiging alkalde ng lungsod si Jaime Bugnosen. Noong halalan noong 1992, muling nanalo si Labo, ngunit nahaharap sa panibagong diskwalipikasyon. Ang pagkakasunod-sunod ng mga pangyayari ay humantong sa pag-akyat ni Vice Mayor Mauricio Domogan sa posisyon ng alkalde, kasama si Gladys Vergara, na nahalal bilang No. 2 City Councilor noong 1988, na humalili kay Domogan bilang unang babaeng Bise Alkalde ng Baguio City. Nagmarka ito ng isang makasaysayang milestone sa kasaysayan ng pulitika ng Baguio at isang mahalagang sandali sa paglalakbay ng pamumuno ni Vergara. “Ang pagiging unang babaeng Vice Mayor ng Baguio City ay isang turning point para sa akin. Ipinakilala nito sa akin ang mgaposisyon ng pamumuno sa loob ng buhay pampulitika ng Baguio, at ito ay isang tungkulin na aking nilapitan nang may pagpapakumbaba at dedikasyon,” pahayag ni Vergara. Itinatampok ng tatlong dekada ng serbisyo ng gobyerno ni Vergara ang kanyang matatag na pangako sa serbisyo publiko, na may mga tungkuling kinabibilangan ng: Mayo 1985 – Abril 1987: Pangalawang Pangulo, Kabataang Barangay National Executive Council; Nahalal na Pangulo ng KB, Upper QM Barangay; Nahalal na KB City Federation President, Baguio City; Nahalal na KB Regional Federation President, Rehiyon 1; Nahalal ang KB Vice President, KB National Executive Council. Enero 1986 – Nob 1987: Itinalagang Konsehal ng Lungsod na Kinakatawan ang Kabataan, Baguio City. Peb 1988 – Mar 1992: Nahalal bilang 2 City Councilor, Baguio City. Mar 1992 – Hun 1992: Inako ang posisyon ng City Vice Mayor sa bisa ng succession. “Ang pamumuno ay laging bahagi ng aking buhay, at ako ay nagpapasalamat sa mga pagkakataong napagsilbihan ko ang Baguio,” pagtatapos ni Vergara. “Ang isang pinuno noon, isang pinuno ngayon, at isang pinuno sa kabila – ang aking paglalakbay ay nagpapatuloy habang ako ay nagsusumikap na masayang mag-ambag sa lungsod na mahal ko.”                  

A groundswell of public support is building for Gladys Vergara to run in the 2025 local elections. This rising momentum has become evident as more barangay leaders and residents express their backing should she decide to pursue the congressional seat for Baguio City’s lone district. Gladys, the eldest daughter of Engr. Bernardo Vergara—a revered public servant who served as Congressman for 12 years and as Mayor of Baguio—is well-acquainted with the city’s political landscape. Over the past few weeks, she has been engaging with barangays and communities to gauge public sentiment on a variety of issues. “I am deeply humbled by the outpouring of support,” Gladys said, noting that the widespread encouragement has been both heartening and inspiring. “People are excited at the possibility of a Vergara continuing the legacy of public service.” Political observers are already predicting a contest between “Super Moms” for the congressional seat. Sol Go, wife of outgoing three-term Congressman Mark Go, is said to be aiming to succeed her husband, while Mark is reportedly eyeing the mayoral seat. Meanwhile, Gladys is receiving strong support from her father’s loyal political base, eager to see her continue his work in Congress. Gladys has a wealth of leadership experience, having served as Vice Mayor of Baguio City and as Chair of the Baguio Tourism Council since 2019, where she skillfully navigated the city’s tourism efforts through the challenges of the pandemic. Her political journey began early, with roles as head of both the city and regional Sangguniang Kabataan, as well as the Kabataang Barangay. An alumna of Saint Louis University, Gladys holds a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws. Beyond public service, she is a successful businesswoman, managing ventures in energy distribution, hospitality, and retail. She is also an advocate for the environment, founding the socio-civic organization Glad to be Green, which promotes sustainability initiatives. With her solid track record of competence, character, and compassion, Gladys presents a strong and credible political vision. Her platform centers on making Baguio a globally competitive and highly livable city, a legislative thrust aligned with the city’s future aspirations.

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Benjamin Magalong, represented by the city government, signed the Certificate of Successful Negotiations of two big-ticket projects, the SM Prime Holdings, represented by Vice President of SM Supermalls Engr. Junias M. Eusebio and SM North Luzon Regional Operations Manager Rona Vida Correa; and Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) represented by MPTC President and CEO Rogelio Singson and MPT Mobility President Roberto Bontia. The Market Redevelopment Project of the original proponent SM Prime Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation’s Smart Urban Mobility Project. (MPTC) Negotiations officially began on January 31, 2024, and are scheduled to conclude on June 29, 2024. However, the period of negotiations was adjusted to align with the effective date of the PPP Code Implementing Rules and Regulations, on April 6, 2024. With that, the negotiations officially ended, and they were then issued their respective certificates of successful negotiations on September 6 and September 11, respectively. After in-depth discussions and with the assistance of the PPP Center, the parties agreed on the parameters, terms and conditions (PTC), modality, and general provisions of the Project contract. The valid documents must be endorsed to the City Development Council (CDC) for its confirmation, which will be followed by the Baguio City Council for appropriate action in accordance with the PPP code. Magalong said that the negotiations of other high impact projects are scheduled to end soon, particularly the Asin Hydropower Plants Development and Improvement Project of the Repower Energy Development Corporation, the socialized permaculture housing project and the creative center.

“I appreciate the trust and support of various groups encouraging me to run for a national post in the upcoming 2025 elections. However, I want to make my position clear: I intend to finish my term as Mayor of Baguio City. My commitment remains steadfast to fulfilling our good governance pledge to the people of Baguio. In my two consecutive terms as Mayor, we have worked tirelessly to address the needs and aspirations of our city, and I believe there is still much to be done. The trust of our people and the opportunity to continue to serve is most important to me as a public servant. Thank you for your continued support.”    

By Gaby B. Keith BAGUIO CITY — The city council adopted resolution no. 532, series of 2024, granting authority to Mayor Benjamin Magalong representing the city government to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with SRPost Inc., represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Changyong Oh, for the implementation of the project ‘GIS Map-Based AI Heterogeneous Data Convergence City Management System’ in the Summer Capital. In his letter dated July 9, this year, the Mayor requested for authority to enter into a MOA with SRPost Inc. for the said project’s implementation in which the august body’s committee on laws, human rights and justice, in its 2nd endorsement dated July 23, recommended approval. SRPost Inc. was selected for a three-year Research and Development funding grant from the European Research Coordination Agency (EUREKA) Network Funding Program through the initiative of the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) of which the city government of Baguio is also a member. The approved measure stated that the company has selected the city as a pilot site for the said project with a key objective of a cloud-based smart city management system in line with Baguio’s vision to be a full-fledged Smart City by 2027. The proposed advanced cloud-based monitoring system targets to generate metadata from information gathered from live video feeds of surveillance cameras already deployed in the city which aims to enhance its situational awareness and facilitate more efficient city management with the provision of a user-friendly dashboard interface. The resolution stated that the said MOA shall be submitted to the local legislature for confirmation        

By JM Samidan   BAGUIO CITY — The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) – Baguio City Fire Station headed by City Fire Marshal, FSupt. Marisol H. Odiver warned the public against unscrupulous individuals posing as members of the fire safety brigade and charging fees for fire safety inspection services. The warning was issued after a concerned citizen reported the presence of individuals posing as “bantay sunog brigade” going house-to-house supposedly conducting fire safety inspection and charging P9,000 in exchange of a gas regulator with hose. “They claim that they were allowed by the barangay officials to sell house-to-house,” the concerned citizen said. Odiver said only BFP personnel are authorized to conduct fire safety inspection with the appropriate Inspection Order signed by the fire chief and that personnel must be in uniform with proper identification. “There shall be no fee to be collected during the conduct of inspection. Regulatory fees with BFP must be paid at the office with official receipt,” Odiver reiterated. She said this modus is similar to other tricks by unscrupulous individuals in previous years where residents are scammed into buying fire extinguishers from persons pretending to be employees or representatives of the BFP. Odiver appeals to the public to be vigilant and know the persons whom they are dealing with by asking for their identification card or by immediately reporting the same to the BFP-Baguio City Fire Station with telephone numbers 443-7089/442-2222 or hotline 09124096114.    

The Baguio Water District (BWD) was recognized as one of the world’s climate smart utilities at the recently concluded 3rd International Water Association (IWA) World Water Congress and Exhibition 2024, held from August 11-15, 2024 in Toronto, Canada. This year, the IWA Recognition Program expanded its scope and opportunities for recognition, aiming to increase awareness of the mitigation, adaptation, and leadership potential among water utilities worldwide. A total of ninety-two applications were received by IWA from around the world. Following a rigorous review process by three different experts and independent jury members, only twenty-eight applications were selected for recognition as Climate Smart. Sixteen utilities in the early stages of their climate-smart journey were recognized in the Entrant Category, while twelve utilities demonstrating substantial progress were honored in the “Achiever” category, which includes the Baguio Water District. Represented by Administrative Division Chief, Atty. Chanell Dolor D. De Guzman-Bitao, BWD received its Certificate of Recognition on August 15, 2024, at the Metro Toronto Convention Center. Other water utilities recognized in the “Achiever” category included Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Philippines), Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (USA), Ruhrverband (Germany) Igua Saneamento (Brazil), Aguas Andinas (Chile), Obras Sanitarias S.E. MGP (Argentina), Aguas e Energia de Porto (Brazil), National Water Supply and Drainage Board (Sri Lanka), Scottish Water (Scotland), Aquapolo (Brazil), and Water Authority of Fiji (Fiji). In response to the escalating challenges of climate change, BWD has prioritized its journey towards climate resilience as BWD invests in state-of-the-art water treatment technologies, energy efficiency measures, renewable energy, and environmental stewardship through tree-planting initiatives and water conservation awareness campaigns. Through these efforts, the Summer Capital’s lone public water utility continues to advocate for transformative change in the water utilities sector collaborating and forging partnerships with various stakeholders, including local government, and community organizations.        

BAGUIO CITY — As typhoons and different types of crises continue to disproportionately impact the Filipino poor, politicians take every opportunity to project their concern as elections loom. Baguio Tourism Council (BTC) chief Gladys Vergara said that the distribution of financial aid and government-funded packages to the needy should not be used by politicians as a venue to pursue their vested interests. Vergara appealed to government agencies, especially those handling financial aid distribution, not to allow crooked politicians to use their services for political gain. She also stressed the importance of transparency in public service and good governance for the best interests of the people. The Baguio tourism chief also expressed concerns about reports of city officials allegedly hijacking the distribution of financial aid or assistance and projecting such actions as their own projects or programs. She said these practices are part of traditional politics or a form of patronage politics.