BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Mayor Benjamin Magalong urged young people to actively participate in nation-building, pointing out their ideas and perspectives are vital in addressing the challenges facing communities and institutions. Magalong made the call during the Global Youth Ambassadors of Model Conference held in the Summer Capital recently, which brought together youth leaders and aspiring diplomats from across the country to discuss global issues and the role of young people in shaping the future. “Shaping Tomorrow Amidst Turmoil: Rebuilding a Fractured Global Order Towards a New Era of Multilateralism” was the conference theme. He talked on good governance and emphasized the importance of listening to the voices of the youth, whom the mayor described as not only future leaders but also key partners in nation-building today. “Our young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow but also important partners in nation-building today,” he stressed and added that their participation can help communities develop stronger institutions and create solutions to pressing challenges. “Their ideas, perspectives, and participation can help us build stronger communities, responsive institutions, and a better country for future generations,” he explained. Magalong also called on leaders and institutions to continue creating opportunities for the youth to express their views and participate in meaningful discussions and decision-making. “We must continue to encourage them to speak up, participate, and help create meaningful solutions to the challenges we face,” he said. The event was also attended by Malaysia’s Ambassador to the Philippines Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino while Senators Risa Hontiveros, Kiko Pangilinan and Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian delivered inspirational remarks during the conference. Sandro Atillano of FPJ Partylist also delivered a message on behalf of Congressman Brian Poe. The gathering provided a platform for young leaders and aspiring diplomats to engage in discussions on global affairs, multilateralism and the challenges confronting the international community.-Gaby B. Keith with CMO report

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The Baguio City Jail-Male Dorm reported that more than half or 52.2 percent of the total 247 Persons Deprived Liberty (PDL) inmates are facing cases related to illegal drugs under Republic Act (RA) No. 6425 and RA No. 9165. The report said that the remaining PDLs are facing various cases related to index crimes, including rape, robbery, theft, and crimes against persons and property. The facility has a capacity of only 136 PDLs, resulting in an 80 percent congestion rate that poses health, safety, and rehabilitation challenges and highlights the need for immediate interventions to improve the prison conditions. It is currently operated by about 90 personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and despite the overcrowding, the prison continues to maintain its commitment to the safe, secure, and humane management of PDLs. The facility also reported the implementation of various innovative programs aimed at strengthening rehabilitation and community participation, reflecting its commitment to innovation, rehabilitation, and inclusiveness while advancing its mission to transform lives and contribute to a safer nation. The Baguio City Jail-Male Dorm was previously recognized as the Best City Jail and Best City Jail Warden for consecutive quarters, with its best-performing units also receiving recognition. The local government also issued commendations and certificates of recognition for Oplan Libreng Sakay, citing the discipline, cooperation, and dedication of the prison officers and staff in promoting safe and humane prison management. The facility acknowledged that its current infrastructure has limited capacity, resulting in continued overcrowding and also cited inadequate ventilation and poor air circulation as concerns affecting both staff and PDLs, with these conditions affecting their health, comfort, and overall well-being.      

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The City Government has once again won an award, the Gold Award from the 2026 ASEAN Smoke-Free Award (ASA), in recognition of its continued efforts to implement strict tobacco control and ban tobacco promotions and promote a smoke-free environment and protect the health of its youth and citizens. The award was formally announced by the Ministry of Health of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, which serves as the lead country for the ASEAN Smoke-free Awards (ASA) in collaboration with the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) and the ASEAN Secretariat. In a letter received by the Smoke-Free Baguio Task Force led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Lao PDR Cabinet of Ministry of Health Director General Dr. Bounxou Keohavong said the award will be presented at the plenary of the 17th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting and Related Meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on September 10. Other awardees were George Town, Penang, Malaysia which received the Silver Award, while the Bronze Award went to Depok City, Indonesia; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Thanbyuzayat Township, Mon State, Myanmar; Pasig City, Philippines; and Maha Sarakham, Thailand, while Singapore received the Special Recognition for Smoke-Free Enforcement. Baguio City was recognized for maintaining its smoke-free campaign through local policies and enforcement programs based on the implementation of City Ordinance No. 34, Series of 2017 or the Smoke-Free Baguio ordinance. Magalong expressed gratitude for the award which he said gives due recognition to the efforts of various city government offices, barangays, private sectors, and hundreds of volunteers to protect residents and visitors from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke and achieve a healthier urban environment. ASA honors ASEAN cities, municipalities, and provinces that successfully implement and maintain smoke-free and vaping-free environments through adherence to tobacco policies, public awareness campaigns, and restrictions on vape and tobacco marketing. Smoke-Free Baguio was launched in 2022 to promote a healthy and smoke-free environment and reduce tobacco-related harm throughout the city.  

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Mayor Benjamin Magalong has once again explained to residents the process followed by the city government in declaring class suspensions, following criticism from some students and parents regarding what they described as delayed announcements or failure to suspend classes despite heavy rain. According to Magalong, class suspension decisions are based on empirical data from various weather sources and inputs from weather experts as well as consultations with school authorities. He said this is not only done based on the rainfall but also considering the severity of weather conditions, potential hazards and the safety of students and school personnel. The city is coordinating with the Department of Education (DepEd), the private school\ association for basic education and higher education institutions (HEI) in assessing the situation. According to Magallong, the city is relying more on DepEd Baguio which has established protocols under existing orders for the suspension of classes in accordance with weather conditions. “DepEd knows better the situation of their students and infrastructures and therefore I trust their judgment, of course with due consideration to weather conditions. I am sure they will not compromise the health and safety of their students. Moreover, they have learning and safety protocols provided and followed under existing orders,” Magalong stated. The decision is ultimately up to the Baguio City Association of Private Schools and DepEd for their own students. For HEIs, decisions are at the discretion of the university or college administrations, including consideration of weather conditions. Magalong said all decision-makers are trying to carefully balance the safety of students with the need to maintain school days and ensure that students continue to receive face-to-face education. “We really have to weigh things up, consider the severity of the weather and the safety of our students in relation to the importance of education. We cannot compromise the safety of students and at the same time we cannot sacrifice the value of education, so we are choosing which levels should be suspended and which levels are not necessary.” He added that the city is considering maximizing school days whenever weather conditions allow. “To the extent possible, we want to maximize the number of school days if we can help it,” the mayor said. Schools Division Superintendent Soraya Faculo said they are considering the safety of students as well as the quality of education they are receiving. Faculo noted that K-12 students have lost almost 11 days of instruction since June and although they are being given activities to do, some students need guidance from adults to overcome the face-to-face teaching method. But of course, this does not mean that DepEd will compromise their safety, which is still the priority, according to her.  

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The City Government of Baguio has lifted the austerity measures it imposed earlier this year in response to the national energy emergency, allowing city offices to resume the regular implementation of programs, projects, activities, and basic services that were scaled down or affected by the cost-saving measures. Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong issued Executive Order No. 124, series of 2026, revoking Executive Order No. 64, series of 2026, which had imposed austerity measures in the city following the declaration of a national energy emergency. The revocation takes effect immediately and is intended to enable the local government to advance the delivery of basic services and proceed with priority development projects that were affected during the implementation of the austerity measures. Magalong said the decision was made after an assessment of prevailing circumstances and the operational requirements of the local government, particularly the need to restore the regular implementation of government programs and services. Under the earlier austerity order, city offices were directed to reduce government expenditures and conserve energy and other resources while ensuring that sufficient funds remained available for essential programs and services. As a result, the implementation of several programs, projects, and activities programmed for the year was scaled down or affected. The lifting of the measures will allow concerned offices to address pending issues and resume activities and projects in accordance with existing laws, rules, regulations, and approved plans. The city government, however, will continue to observe prudent and responsible use of public funds and resources as it restores the regular delivery of services and implementation of priority initiatives. The earlier austerity measures were adopted in response to Executive Order No. 110, series of 2026, issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., declaring a state of national energy emergency and directing the adoption of measures to address the effects of the energy crisis and ensure the stability and security of the country’s energy supply. This was followed by Memorandum Circular No. 114, series of 2026, directing government agencies and instrumentalities to implement energy conservation protocols and other measures promoting the efficient, judicious, and responsible use of energy. (Baguio PIO)            

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Mayor Benjamin Magalong and PROCAR Regional Director BGen. Noel Vallo officiated the simple turn over ceremony of the Baguio City Police Office, this morning, September 8, at the Hotel Supreme, Baguio City. Police Colonel Nixon L. Laoyan was formally appointed as the new city director of the BCPO, replacing Col. Ruel Tagel, who will be assigned to PROCAR. Laoyan, a native of Benguet, is a member of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) “Sambigkis” Class of 2003. He has held various positions within the Police Regional Office-Cordillera, including duties in the intelligence and mobile force units. Prior to his appointment, he served as chief of the Regional Intelligence Division after becoming deputy force commander of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15. According to Magalong, he expects Laoyan to oversee police operations in Baguio, including crime prevention, traffic law enforcement, public safety, and coordination with the city government and other law enforcement agencies. (Zaldy Comanda)          

The city government led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong has been recognized for its innovative use of data to address health and social inequities, receiving the “Data for Equity: Informing Action, Improving Health” award of the 2026 World Health Organization (WHO) Healthy Cities Recognition Awards. City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit chief Donna Panes received the award on behalf of the city during the 11th Global Conference of the Alliance for Healthy Cities, on Sept. 1-3, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. The Summer Capital won the same award in 2021 for its ongoing Smoke-Free Baguio campaign. The award recognized Baguio for “its contribution to the health and well-being of its citizens and to the advancement of Healthy Cities goals in the Western Pacific”. Cited was its barangay-level Livability Index, an initiative spearheaded by the City Planning, Development and Sustainability Office (CPDSO) headed by Donna Rillera Tabangin, which maps disparities in health, social conditions and access to basic services across the city’s barangays. The Index provides a detailed picture of how residents experience their communities, generating data that can help city officials identify areas facing greater challenges and determine where interventions and investments are most urgently needed. Rather than treating the city as a single unit, the initiative brings planning and decision-making down to the barangay level. By identifying differences in living conditions from one community to another, the Index enables the city government to develop more targeted responses and direct resources toward areas with the greatest needs. The initiative was developed through extensive engagement with communities and the use of localized data. Its findings are now being integrated into city planning, budgeting and investment decisions, strengthening the role of evidence in determining development priorities. Tabangin said the Livability Index serves not only as a measurement tool but also as a mechanism for translating data into concrete action as Baguio continues to strengthen its efforts toward becoming a healthier, more equitable and resilient city. The Summer Capital’s recognition places it among communities demonstrating how data and local governance can be used to advance health equity and improve quality of life while highlighting the potential of its Livability Index as a model for other cities seeking to make development planning more responsive to the people and communities they serve, she added.-Gaby B. Keith

By Rose Frejane A. Cruz   BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Renowned model and philanthropist Daniella Moustafa was crowned Miss Baguio 2026 during the Coronation Night held at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center, Baguio City, on the evening of September 5. Moustafa, 26, who represents Barangay South Sanitary Camp, is currently a 4th year Tourism Management student at the University of Baguio, who is among the 16 candidates competing in Miss Baguio 2026. At just 18 years old, Moustafa is already carving a unique path for herself in the world of beauty, fashion, and philanthropy. Moustafa balances her roles as a model, beauty queen, and student with admirable poise and dedication, which led to her participation as a candidate in Miss Manila 2024, representing Tayuman, where she bagged the 2nd Runner-Up. Her journey in the beauty and modeling industry began with participating in various pageants, such as Sinulog Festival Queen in Cebu 2024, which although she did not take home the crown, she became strong and emphasized the invaluable experience and lessons she gained. Crowned as 1st Runner-Up was Katrina Sandhu, 21, of Barangay San Vicente, a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Tourism at the University of Cordilleras, who became Miss UC-CHTM 2025. Second Runner-Up was Xyla Magno, of Barangay Asin Road, currently a Bachelor of Science in Psychology student at Saint Louis University. Charlotte Megan Gosioco, 19, of Barangay Military Cut-Off, currently a Language and Literature student at the University of the Philippines-Baguio, was crowned as Miss Baguio Tourism. Miss Baguio-Nature was crowned Zeira Tamayo, 22, of Barangay East Bayan Park and a graduating student of Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from the University of the Cordilleras. Camile Cano, of Barangay Santo Tomas Proper was crowned Miss Baguio Culture; Miss Baguio Malikhain Patris Balajadia, 22, Nursing graduate, of Barangay Lower Lourdes Subdivision. “Baguio City proudly celebrates the new Miss Baguio 2026 crown. Moustafa’s journey reflects the true spirit of a Baguio woman who is strong, compassionate, and inspiring. May her reign open doors to new opportunities and let her shine even more as an ambassador of culture, talent, and community,” said Galadys Vergara, head of the Baguio Tourism Council.