By Mileyvonne Tiamzon BAGUIO CITY — The City Health Services Office-Smoke Free Baguio City conducted a ceremonial destruction and disposal of cigarettes and vapes at Malcom Square on August 8. The event aims to send a strong message to the people, especially the youth that the city remains committed to safeguarding lives and protecting them from the ill effects of tobacco products. In her welcoming remarks, CHSO head Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes highlighted that the city is continuously working to eliminate smoking so that people will be free from any respiratory diseases in Baguio. Committee on Health and Sanitation chairperson Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda reminded everyone to work together to make Baguio truly a Smoke-free city. “Again, let us breathe Baguio, stop smoking, and stop vaping,” Councilor Tabanda added. The 2M worth destroyed cigarettes and vapes have been confiscated by the Smoke-Free Task Force over the last years from schools and illegal vendors. The unwanted items will be disposed properly according to the guidelines of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the disposal of hazardous waste. In attendance also are Councilor John Rhey Mananeng, CHSO Medical Officer Donnabel Panes, Public Order and Safety Division chief Daryll Longid, representatives from the Smoke-free Task Force, educational institutions-University of the Cordilleras, Saint Louis University, University of Baguio, Pines City Colleges, Transcend, Philippine Academy of Family Physicians, Philippine College of Chest Physicians, Philippine College of Occupational Medicine, Philippine Medical Association Baguio-Benguet, and Parents Against Vape, among others. Photos by Neil Clark Ongchangco

Barangay Irisan, the city’s most populated area, was visited by Gladys Vergara, chair of the Baguio Tourism Council, as part of a city-wide touraimed at rediscovering tourism potential and increasing engagement by the BTC.   In a courtesy call with Irisan Punong Barangay Arthur Carlos and purok leaders, Vergara emphasized the BTC’s commitment to identifying barangay-based needs for enhanced collaboration and the development of new tourism sites. She also discussed revitalizing the Barangay Tourism Council programs, waste management concerns, and renewable energy alternatives like solar-powered streetlights. “Let us ignite fresh sources of cooperation that can help Irisan flourish,” she told the community leaders.  

  BAGUIO CITY — The Baguio Tourism Council will honor the hard-working members of the media sector with a Media Appreciation Night on August 28th. This event will coincide with the launch of the Search for Media Service and Excellence Awards, during which the selection criteria and mechanics will also be presented. This initiative was confirmed during a recent fellowship meeting held by Baguio Tourism Council Chairman Gladys Vergara and BTC G7 Sector representatives (G7-Heritage, Culture, Arts, and Media), who expressed unwavering support for Baguio’s leading media practitioners. Addressing the media managers, Vergara committed to fully supporting media concerns to uplift the welfare and well-being of those “manning the frontlines of public information.” “These are times when media work deserves grateful recognition for their selfless efforts in blazing innovative frontiers in flourishing the tourism climate,” Vergara emphasized. Vergara also endorsed the media sector’s request for the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club (BCBC) and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) Baguio/Benguet chapter to use the Visitors Information Center at Burnham Park as a media center for their members. These groups are currently led by BCBC President Thom Picaña and KBP’s Erickson Ferrer. Additionally, Vergara assured that the BTC would fully support and encourage promotion planning projects that the local tourism media may engage in. During the discussions, the media attendees designated Pigeon Lobien as the chair of the Search for Service and Excellence Awards to be given to outstanding media leaders and workers during the BTC General Assembly on September 23rd. Also discussed was the turnover of existing responsibilities from outgoing BTC media sub-sector representative Jordan Tablac to the new incoming representative Thom Picaña. “Let’s work together to keep the torch of responsible tourism radiant in our city,” Vergara added.

LOOK: CFO Chairperson Secretary Romulo Arugay with Mayor Benjamin Magalong and other officials inaugarates the new Commission on Filipino Overseas  Baguio Sattelite Office located at Gestdan Centrun, Bokawkan Road,Baguio City,on August 7. Photo by Zaldy Comanda

LOOK: The Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (BDRRMC)of Barangay AZKCO headed by PB Jefferson Cheng, posted the updated and detailed “GABAY SA PAGLIKAS” Maps in Kayang and Zandueta Street. This aims to help the residents, constituents and stakeholders know where to proceed incase of emergency.

BAGUIO CITY – Thirteen beautiful and talented young ladies were presented as candidates for Miss Baguio 2024, as representatives of the upcoming Baguio Day celebration on September 1 and will be humanitarians in the Miss Philippines pageant in 2025. Engr. Alec Mapalo, city tourism officer, witnessed the efficiency of the candidate’s answers during the presentation and press conference held by the media and content creators at the Venus Parkview Hotel on the night of August 3. “I have a lot of confidence and hope that we can once again achieve titles in the field of beauty pageant in national to international competition. “Our city is known as the Home of Beauty Queens” now because several of our local candidates were crowned in the international pageant,” said Mapalo. The 13 candidates include Gabrielle Gwen Ramirez, 20, of Barangay San Luis; Jewel Albert Lofstedt, 22, of Barangay Loakan Proper; Carla Stephanie Tilap, 19, of Barangay Irisan; Nikesha Shaniel Isaguirre, 18, of Barangay Camp 7; Rica May Caronongan, 22, of Barangay Apugan-Loakan; Jenelyn Kyla Daquigan, 20, of Barangay Middle Rock Quarry. Gwendoline Meliz Soriano, 25, of Barangay Bakakeng Central; Nicole Antonette Tilap, 19, of Barangay Irisan; Jasmin Anne Umaza, 22, of Barangay BGH Compound; Ma. Dawn Rozeal Castillo, 24, of Barangay Brookside; Hera Pawi, 20, of Bakakeng Norte/Sur; Eden Grace Tolingan, 22, of Barangay Dontogan and Gerryka de Guzman, 24, of Barangay Ambiong. It is known that this year’s competition has leveled up, whoever wins Miss Baguio will automatically be the city’s representative in Miss Philippines next year. “This year, we have partnered so that he will be the authorized handler for participating in the national or international pageant, because in recent years the city government has not been able to participate in the outside pageant due to the lack of budget, so it’s better now to continue our level-up in the beauty contest,” said Mapalo. The candidates will face the media, city councilors and barangay chairmen in a Glamor Night on August 9 and a Fashion Show at SM City Baguio on August 16, while the coronation night will be on August 30 at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center.  

BAGUIO CITY – The City Tourism Office recorded 1.31 million tourist arrivals in 2023, which proves that the so-called Summer Capital remains a hit with vacationers and continues to be in the Top 5 tourist destinations since the pandemic. According to City Tourism Operations Officer Aloysius Mapalo, the highest tourist arrival in the city was in 2018 with a total of 1,760,729. In 2022, 1,042,309 tourist arrivals were recorded; 247,480 in 2021; 1,536,458 in 2019; 1,521,748 in 2017; and 1,294,906 in 2016. Mapalo clarified that these numbers only cover the data of overnight tourists reported to the city government by accredited accommodation establishments (AEs) in compliance with Ordinance No. 120-2017 or the Tourism Statistics Standards of Baguio City and excludes tourists not reported by AEs and day tourists who did not stay overnight. He said the average annual arrival number could have tripled or to 3-4 million extrapolated estimates of annual total arrivals over the past five years if the numbers of overnight stays and those not recorded because they are not officially recorded” to consider. “This means we have 20,000 to 30,000 average weekly arrivals, more than 70 percent of which occur on weekends. It can double up to 60,000 during peak season weekends usually during the summer and Christmas seasons or on long weekends,” Mapalo said. He said, in the total of 2023, less than 1 percent or 0.64 percent are foreigners and 99.36 percent are domestic tourists. “We are not really able to attract many foreign tourists. Mostly they are targeting other Cordilleran destinations and they just pass by our city,” he said. Regarding its economic impact, Mapalo said that tourism has a 20 percent average contribution to the city’s gross domestic product (GDP). He said based on the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report, a tourist spends an average of P2,000-P4,000 per day while the average length of stay is 1.4 days. This translates to an estimate of up to P15 billion in annual gross receipts.  

By Zaldy Comanda BAGUIO CITY – Pitong katao ang iniulat na namatay sa dengue mula noong Pebrero hanggang Hulyo, habang patuloy ang pagtaas nito sa 3,011 kaso noong Agosto 1. Sa talaan ng City Health Services Office (CHSO), ang unang namatay sa dengue ay noong Pebrero habang ang iba ay nangyari lamang noong Hulyo habang patuloy ang pagtaas ng kaso nito. Ayon sa CHSO, apat sa mga nasawi ay mga bata – isang 6 na taong gulang na babae mula sa Asin Road; isang siyam na taong gulang na lalaki mula sa Barangay Irisan; isang isang taong gulang na lalaki mula sa Barangay Country Club at isang apat na taong gulang na babae mula sa Nueva Vizcaya noong Hulyo 8.   Ang iba ay isang 63 taong gulang na lalaki mula sa Barangay Loakan Proper; isang 59-anyos na lalaki mula sa Cabinet Hill-Teachers Camp at isang 38-anyos na babae mula sa Barangay Dominican-Mirador Hill. Ayon sa City Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (CESU) ng CHSO, may kabuuang 3,011 kaso ang naiulat sa lungsod mula Enero 1 hanggang Agosto 2, 2024 o may 462 porsiyentong pagtaas mula sa bilang noong nakaraang taon. Ang median na edad ng mga pasyente ay 23 taong gulang at ang pinaka-apektadong pangkat ng edad ay ang 11 hanggang 20 taong gulang at Limampu’t isang porsyento ng mga pasyente ay babae. Ang pinaka-apektadong barangay ay ang Irisan, Bakakeng Central, Asin Road, Sto. Tomas Proper, Camp 7, Gibraltar, Pinget, Loakan Proper, Pacdal, Middle Quirino Hill at Bakakeng Norte. Muling nanawagan ang CHSO sa mga residente ang mahigpit na  pagpapatupad ng mga hakbang laban sa dengue upang maiwasan ang paglaganap ng mga kaso na karaniwang nangyayari mula sa buwan ng Hunyo hanggang Oktubre. Iniutos din ni Mayor Benjamin Magalong na paigtingin ang pagpapatupad ng anti-dengue ordinance (Ordinance 66-2016)  at pagpataw ng parusa sa mga hindi sumusunod sa dengue control measures.        

Seal of Good Local Governance for barangay BAGUIO CITY — After a thorough review and assessment conducted by the DILG Baguio City Field Office (BCFO), 55 barangays in the City of Baguio passed the City level assessment on the implementation of Seal of Good Local Governance in Barangay (SGLGB) for calendar year 2024. These barangays are as follows: • AZKCO • Alfonso Tabora • Andres Bonifacio • Atok Trail • Aurora Hill Proper • Bakakeng Central • Bakakeng Norte/Sur • Camdas Subdivision • Camp 7 • Camp Allen • City Camp Central • City Camp Proper • Country Club Village • Dominican Hill-Mirador • East Bayan Park • Engineers Hill • Fairview Village • Fort Del Pilar • Gibraltar • Hillside • Holy Ghost Extension • Holy Ghost Proper • Honeymoon • Imelda R. Marcos • Imelda Village • Kabayanihan • Kias • Legarda-Burnham-Kisad • Loakan Liwanag • Loakan Proper • Lourdes Proper Subdivision • Lourdes Subdivision Extension • Lower Lourdes Subdivision • Lower Quirino Hill • Lower Rock Quarry • Magsaysay Private Road • Middle Quirino Hill • Middle Rock Quarry • MRR-Queen of Peace • Palma-Urbano • Poliwes • San Antonio Village • San Roque Village • San Vicente • Santo Tomas Proper • Scout Barrio • South Drive • Teodora Alonzo • Trancoville • Upper General Luna • Upper Market Subdivision • Upper Quezon Hill • Upper Quirino-Magsaysay • Upper Rock Quarry • West Quirino Hill The above-mentioned barangays have been endorsed to the Regional Performance Assessment Team (RPAT) to undergo regional validation and document review. After which, all regional passers shall further be endorsed to the national level for final vetting of National Passers. The list of national passers will be announced in November 2024. This year’s implementation recorded a significant increase of 45% or a total of 55 of the 128 barangays passed the city level assessment as compared to the previous year, 2023, with 38 passers only. The SGLGB, a flagship program of the DILG, is a performance assessment and recognition system designed to distinguish barangays with outstanding performance across various governance areas, namely, Financial Administration and Sustainability (FAS), Disaster Preparedness (DP), Safety, Peace and Order (SPO), Social Protection and Sensitivity (SPS), Business-Friendliness and Competitiveness (BFC), and Environmental Management (EM). The SGLGB also adopts the Online Expansive and Unified Audit (ONE AUDIT) incorporating the functionality audits of various barangay-based institutions (BBIs). This includes the following: Barangay Development Council (BDC), Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee (BDRRMC), Barangay Peace and Order Committee (BPOC), Barangay Ecological Solid Waste Management Committee (BESWMC), Violence Against Women (VAW) Desk, Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC), and Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC). BBIs with moderate and high functionality shall be considered eligible and qualified for the assessment. Pursuant to DILG Memorandum Circular 2024-068, the DILG BCFO local government operations officers and other personnel led by City Director Millicent Cariño facilitated the overall city level assessment on May 28 to June 5, 2024 through DILG Baguio FLEKS, and continuous coaching until the submission of means of verifications (MOVs) on July 28, 2024. This is in close coordination with various City Government offices particularly the City Mayor’s Office – Special Services Division, Business Permits and Licensing Office, City Accounting Office, City Budget Office, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City General Services Office, City Health Services Office, City Planning, Development and Sustainability Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office, and Baguio City Police Office.