BAGUIO CITY, Philippines –The city government has reiterated its stance frowning upon dog meat trade and all forms of animal cruelty. In a strongly worded statement, Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the city “condemns these practices which have no place in a humane and law-abiding society.” Magalong renewed its strong support for Republic Act 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, as amended which “aims to protect and promote the welfare of all animals in the Philippines by regulating animal facilities, penalizing animal cruelty and neglect, and promoting responsible pet ownership. He said “the consumption, transport, slaughter and trade of dogs for meat are clear violations” of said law “and undermine the values of compassion, respect and responsible stewardship that we must uphold as a community.” The mayor stressed that the city government remains committed to the strict enforcement of the law within the city emphasizing that animal welfare protection is not only a legal responsibility but also a reflection of compassion and respect for life. He also expressed solidarity with the Animal Kingdom Foundation⁠ for its continued efforts to eliminate the dog meat trade in the country and promote humane treatment of animals. The organization was recognized for its work in raising awareness, conducting rescue operations, and pursuing legal action against violators. He also called for stronger cooperation among law enforcement agencies, barangays, animal welfare groups and the public to help eliminate incidents of animal cruelty. He said sustained education, vigilant enforcement and collective action are necessary in building safer and more compassionate communities for both people and animals. – Aileen P. Refuerzo          

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)–Baguio Benguet Provincial Office have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen local enterprise development, promote sustainable investments, and generate employment opportunities within Camp John Hay. JHMC President and CEO Manjit T. Singh Reandi and DTI Provincial Director Felicitas O. Bandonill signed the agreement highlights joint initiatives to advance MSME development through capacity-building, product promotion, and expanded market access. JHMC will provide venues in Camp John Hay for DTI-assisted MSMEs to showcase and sell their products, while both agencies will co-implement pine needle and pine cone craft trainings to revive eco-friendly industries under the “Breathe Baguio” Advocacy. “This partnership opens new opportunities for MSMEs to thrive and innovate, recognizing that MSMEs do not merely support the economy — they are the economy itself,” said Director Bandonill. “By supporting sustainable enterprises, we strengthen our commitment to responsible economic growth while further advancing community development,” added President Singh Reandi. The MOU will be in effect for a period of one (1) year, ensuring sustained collaboration and measurable outcomes within its duration. The signing was witnessed by Chief Trade and Industry Development Specialist Richard Avelino T. Limpin; JHMC Chairperson of the Board, Atty. Kristoffer Lee Dance; and JHMC Vice President and COO, Jane Theresa Tabalingcos.

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Mayor Benjamin Magalong encouraged government workers to embrace the start of each week as a fresh opportunity to work harder, serve with integrity and contribute positively to the community. In a social media post, he stressed the importance of perseverance and dedication despite the challenges people may face in their daily lives. The Mayor advised civil servants not to allow difficulties to become obstacles but instead to use them as motivation to improve their work and service for the benefit of the community and the nation. Magalong also urged them to begin the week with a positive mindset, discipline and determination to create meaningful change. “Our collective effort and unity are essential in achieving continued progress and building a better future for everyone,” he emphasized. The Mayor’s statement reflects his continuing call for responsible leadership, community cooperation and public service grounded in compassion and accountability.-Gaby B. Keith      

  BAGUIO CITY – Two barangays that are both awardees met to strengthen best practices and share experiences in the field of Katarungang Pambarangay, on May 26. The officials of Barangay AZKCO led by Punong Barangay Jefferson Cheng, who was named the Regional Champion of the Lupon Tagapamayapa Incentive Award (LTIA) in the Cordillera region, felt a warm and joyful welcome during the benchmarking conducted in Barangay Plainview, led by Punong Barangay Nerissa Garcia, who is known as the National Champion in the LTIA in Mandaluyong City. With the theme “Sharing Knowledge Towards Strengthened Barangay Justice”, the two barangays exchanged their best practices and shared experiences with the aim of further increasing knowledge on how to improve services to the people under the Barangay Justice. “On this occasion, we will probably learn a lot from you, this learning trip is very important for both our barangays and we will be able to share our best practices and we are very grateful that you chose us to come,” said PB Garcia. According to Cheng, “we are very grateful that you granted our request to visit you as a national awardee, it is an honor for us to meet you personally and share our best practices and innovations for our barangay justice.” The LTIA is an annual program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) that recognizes outstanding barangay justice committees for their excellent mediation of community disputes and peace building. Its goal is to strengthen Barangay Justice and reduce court cases by resolving disputes at the grassroots level. The DILG is evaluating the efficiency of 42,011 barangays in the country for their operational efficiency, effectiveness of settlement, and resourcefulness in resolving disputes between people and the incentives for the winning Boards will receive both trophies/citations and substantial financial or non-financial support from municipal to national awarding bodies.                

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The City Government of Baguio has formally entered into a partnership with University of the Cordilleras through Project H.E.L.E.N. under the city’s “Adopt-a-Park Program,” aimed at enhancing and activating Sunshine Park as a vibrant public space for cultural and community engagement. The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), signed on May 21, 2026, establishes a collaborative effort between the city government and the university to maintain, beautify, and promote Sunshine Park through regular artistic, cultural, and community-centered activities, including “Concert in the Park” performances and presentations. Representing the City Government of Baguio was Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, Atty. Rhenan Diwas ,City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) head, Councilor Yuri Weygan and Rhodora A. Ngolob signed on behalf of the University of the Cordilleras. Under the agreement, the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) will continue to oversee and supervise all projects and activities within Sunshine Park. The city government also retains the authority to review and approve all proposed programs, improvements, and park-related initiatives prior to implementation. The partnership highlights the city’s continuing efforts to collaborate with educational institutions and community organizations in improving public parks and making them more people-friendly and environmentally sustainable. As part of its commitments, the city government will provide support in preserving park facilities and utilities, including assistance in watering, pruning, waste management, and other environmental maintenance concerns. The city will also assist in coordinating safety and security measures during major public events. Meanwhile, the university will be allowed to install acknowledgment signage recognizing its participation in the Adopt-a-Park Program, subject to existing CEPMO guidelines and approvals. – Ariel Biala

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) reported 33 cases of child abuse, while 48 involved in Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) were recorded from January to March this year. According to CSWDO Officer Liza Daisa Bulayungan, of the 33 cases, 16 have been formally filed, while 17 have not yet been filed. Based on the report, non-incest rape was the most prevalent type of abuse with 14 incidents, followed by physical abuse with eight; acts of indecency with four; and rape with three. One case was recorded for emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and child labor. Fourteen of the victims were unrelated to their abusers. In cases where a relationship with the victim was identified, biological fathers had the highest number of known perpetrators with six cases, followed by neighbors and friends with three cases each. Other perpetrators included an employer, a family driver, an uncle, a lover, a grandmother’s common-law partner, a maternal grandmother, and a live-in partner, with one case each. Most of the victims were female, with 29 or 87.9 percent, while four or 12.1 percent were male. Most of the victims belonged to the 12-15 age group with 20 or 60.6 percent, followed by the 16-17 age group with eight or 24.2 percent. Four belonged to the 9-11 age group, and one each fell under the 6-8 and 0-5 age groups. In total, 26 are currently in school while seven are out-of-school youth. In 2025, there were 180 documented victims of child abuse, with 65 cases filed and 115 remaining unfiled. Physical abuse topped the list with 50 reported incidents, followed by non-incest rape with 31 cases, general sexual abuse with 23 cases, and neglect with 19 cases. Thirty-two victims were unrelated to their abusers, while the rest had known perpetrators including biological fathers, mothers, stepfathers, and neighbors. Most of the victims were female, with 117 or 69.2 percent, and 82 or 48 percent were in the 12-15 age group. Meanwhile, a total of 48 cases of Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) were reported in the first three months of 2026, with theft and physical harm being the most prevalent offenses with 22 and 20 cases, respectively. Rape had two cases, while one case each was recorded for reckless imprudence, murder, malicious mischief, and bullying. Preliminary data from January to March shows a continuation of the trends observed last year. In 2025, the city recorded a total of 168 cases of CICL. Theft and physical harm were also the top offenses with 48 and 40 cases, respectively, followed by assault with 28 cases. Male minors had the highest number of cases. In the first quarter of 2026, 75 percent or 36 cases involved males, while 25 percent or 12 cases involved females. In 2025, males accounted for 85.7 percent of the total cases. Teenagers between the ages of 12 and 15 represent the age group at greatest risk, accounting for 72.9 percent or 35 cases of the current total in 2026. Minors aged 16-17 account for 25 percent, while the age group 9-11 accounts for only 2.1 percent. A large majority of the minors involved are still in school. In the first quarter of 2026, 85.4 percent or 41 minors were students, while 14.6 percent or seven minors were out-of-school youth. CSWDO uses rehabilitation and case management for these cases. Of the 48 cases recorded this year, eight have been formally filed while 40 are yet to be filed. CSWDO continues to monitor these statistics to review current social welfare interventions and strengthen child protection programs at the community level in collaboration with other offices and agencies, including the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) and the Philippine National Police (PNP). These efforts are complemented by the active support and participation of various non-government organizations in assisting victims. As part of their outreach, CSWDO aims to shift from reactive care to proactive prevention. Bulayungan said a set of key recommendations were put forward to better protect children in the community.

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the local economy continues to feel the effects of the decline in visitor numbers due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East that has caused a sudden increase in the price of petroleum products. According to Magalong, tourism remains lower compared to previous levels, with arrivals on weekdays still particularly weak. “Tourist arrivals have been increasing for almost two weeks now, but the numbers are still low. If we previously experienced a decline of up to 50 percent, I would say we are still down about 35 to 40 percent,” he explained. He said discussions with accommodation facilities and members of the Tourism Council showed that many hotels and lodging establishments continue to experience very low occupancy rates on weekdays, with some even reporting zero occupancy. According to Magalong, they continue to monitor tourist activity through traffic indicators that use a color-coded system where green indicates smooth traffic flow or lower congestion, orange shows moderate congestion, while red indicates severe traffic conditions usually associated with high tourist arrivals. “Previously, when tourist arrivals were high, red indicators dominated our traffic reports. Now, red rarely appears, and if it does, it only lasts for a few hours,” he said. Magalong pointed out that currently, green and orange indicators remain dominant, suggesting that road conditions are still manageable and visitor numbers remain below normal levels. He added that the continued decline in tourist arrivals is still having a significant impact on Baguio’s economy.

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – For members of the Aero Dance Group at SM City Baguio, their weekly dance sessions have become more than just a way to stay active. Over time, the group has also become a familiar community where senior citizens can gather, socialize, and enjoy a simple routine together. The group, now with around 130 members, started in 2004, shared Juanita Abad, president of the Aero Dance Group. What began as a small gathering of individuals who simply wanted to exercise and stay healthy gradually grew through the years as more participants began joining regularly, eventually turning the activity into something many members now look forward to every week. Editha Puddoc, former Regional Director of NAPOLCOM-CAR, shared that being part of the group encouraged her to become more active again after retirement, while also giving her a reason to go out and spend time with friends. Beyond the routines and music, she said the sessions have become a regular gathering where friendships continue to grow through small talks and laughter at SM City Baguio. For many of the participants, holding the sessions at Baguio’s most loved mall, SM City Baguio, adds to the overall experience. Cynthia Pimpino, a 70-year-old retired professor, who has also been a member of the group for over six years, shared that the location’s accessibility, with nearby transportation and open spaces for movement, makes it easier for them to attend. Beyond the physical benefits, members spoke about how dancing positively affects their overall well-being. Some mentioned improved mobility and energy, while others shared that the activity helps lessen stress and gives them something enjoyable to look forward to each week. Many also emphasized how important social interaction becomes as they grow older, making the group an important part of their routine. While the Aero Dance Group began as a simple fitness activity, it eventually grew into a community built through shared routines and companionship. Through spaces where people can gather comfortably and stay connected, SM City Baguio continues to be a place where everyday moments can quietly become meaningful.