By Rod Asurin   KALINGA, Philippines — The National Irrigation Administration (NIA)-Kalinga is strengthening water management and irrigation interventions to protect agricultural production in the Upper Chico River Irrigation System (UCRIS) as the ongoing El Niño intensifies. Engr. Ferdinand Indammog, manager of the NIA-Kalinga Irrigation Management Unit (IMU), said on October 20, 2026, that water discharge from the Chico River to the Mani River remains sufficient to sustain crops in the UCRIS service area. “Dito po sa Kalinga IMU, partikular sa Upper Chico Irrigation System natin, ang source po ng ating patubig ay sufficient pa naman, kaya kung magpapatuloy ang ganitong daloy, hindi maaapektuhan ang ating mga pananim,” sabi ni Indammog. To prepare for possible water shortages amid the forecasted strong-to very-strong El Niño toward the end of the year and into the first months of 2027, NIA-Kalinga is maximizing the use of solar-powered irrigation pumps completed in 2024 and 2025 while planning to implement additional program units earlier to help farmers during the first quarter of next year. Indammog said the agency will also continue implementing Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), a water-saving technology that allows rice fields to undergo controlled drying periods instead of continuous flooding. He added that NIA is ready to implement rotational irrigation if water levels decline and will utilize equipment provided under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration to sustain canal clearing and maintenance. Meanwhile, various Irrigators Associations (IAs) under UCRIS in Kalinga and Isabela continue clearing and maintaining canals in their respective service areas, in line with their responsibilities under the Irrigation Management Transfer Contract. These activities help maintain unobstructed water flow and efficient irrigation distribution while promoting responsible water use among farmers. The efforts complement NIA’s interventions by strengthening farmers’ participation in irrigation management and helping minimize the potential effects of water scarcity on agricultural production. In its October 21 update, PAGASA reported a strong to very strong El Niño in the tropical Pacific, with most climate models indicating it will peak before the end of 2026 and bring possible impacts through the first half of 2027. NIA-Kalinga’s measures align with President “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure the continued delivery of irrigation services and help farmers maintain agricultural production amid the prevailing climate threat. (JDP/RGA-PIA CAR with reports from Radyo Pilipinas-Tabuk and NIA-Cordillera)              

ITOGON, Benguet, Philippines – The Municipal Government of Itogon welcomed San Nicolas, Pangasinan Vice Mayor Maricon Vindy A. Operaña and fellow municipal officials during a courtesy visit to Mayor Bernard S. Waclin, Vice Mayor Dante Alain Xavier D. Godio, and members of the Sangguniang Bayan on November 4 at the Mayor’s Office, Municipal Hall of Itogon. The visit followed the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the two municipalities on September 12, formalizing their Sisterhood Partnership and strengthening their commitment to cooperation and mutual support. The agreement recognizes the shared geographical interests of the two municipalities and identifies potential areas of collaboration, including tourism, agriculture, environmental protection, disaster resilience, and economic development. Among the potential areas of cooperation is the development and promotion of the Villa Verde Trail, which connects the two municipalities and offers opportunities to attract biking enthusiasts and promote outdoor tourism. The meeting also provided an opportunity for officials from both local governments to get acquainted, exchange ideas, and discuss future collaborative initiatives that could benefit their respective communities. (Capsula & Padcayan; GIP)

ITOGON, Benguet, Philippines — Mayor Bernard S. Waclin, together with the National Power Corporation (NPC), led the turnover of Solar Home Systems to 14 households in Sitio Daynet, Ampucao, Itogon, Benguet recently, providing residents of the remote community with access to basic electricity. The donation, facilitated through the NPC, is part of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Total Electrification Project 2 (TEP), which aims to provide unserved households with electricity through renewable energy solutions. Each portable photovoltaic Solar Home System can power several light bulbs and charge electronic devices, providing residents with basic lighting and access to electricity for their daily needs. Mayor Waclin, together with NPC Division Manager Rosaoro Ortiz and Ampucao Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Rafael Ewis, personally turned over the solar systems to the 14 beneficiaries. Mayor Waclin expressed his gratitude to the NPC and DOE for extending assistance to the residents of Sitio Daynet, noting that access to electricity is essential in improving daily living conditions. He expressed hope that the solar home systems would help address the community’s need for basic electricity. Ortiz explained that the initiative forms part of efforts to bring electricity to unserved communities, particularly those in remote areas where conventional electrification remains a challenge. Resident Gina Pili shared that Sitio Daynet, located within the San Roque Watershed, was home to 37 families affected by the construction of the San Roque Dam in 1998. At present, only 14 households remain in the community, where residents have lived without electricity since the dam’s construction. Rocky Jake Ngalob, Officer-in Charge of the Itogon office of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) – Itogon, explained that certain DOE policies restrict power generation companies, such as the San Roque Power Corporation (SRPC), from directly supplying electricity to households in their host communities. Meanwhile, a resident explained that the Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) has been unable to extend its services to Daynet due to the sitio’s geographical isolation and the small number of households. Reaching the community requires traveling through San Manuel, Pangasinan and 5km boat ride across the San Roque Dam. The provision of solar home systems offers an alternative source of electricity for the 14 remaining households, helping address their long-standing need for basic lighting and access to power. (Itogon PIO)

By Valerie Jane Taguba   BONTOC, Mountain Province, Philippines — Improved road access for residents, farmers, and other community members is expected from infrastructure projects being implemented and completed under the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) funding programs in Paracelis and Sabangan in Mountain Province. In Barangay Data in Sabangan, the ₱3,900,169 road improvement project under the Fiscal Year 2026 Local Government Support Fund-Growth Equity Fund (LGSF-GEF), has been completed. The project covered approximately 100 meters of the Kurbwa–Tumwad road section, improving accessibility for residents, facilitating the transport of agricultural products, and providing a potential access route to local tourism destinations. According to DILG-Mountain Province, Barangay Data is the first among the 51 beneficiary barangays in the province to complete its identified project under the FY 2026 LGSF-GEF. In Barangay Anonat, Paracelis, the ongoing ₱10-million Farm-to-Market Road Concreting Project aims to improve approximately 325 meters of existing dirt road into a two-lane concrete road. Once completed, the road is expected to provide a shorter route from Anonat to Palitud and improve access to market centers. Engineer Marco M. Gulungan of  DILG-Mountain Province said the project is progressing according to schedule, with completion targeted by December 2026. The DILG  and the local government unit of Paracelis conducted a joint monitoring and inspection to assess its implementation. “Kailangan lang ng continuous funding para ma-complete ‘yung concreting ng kalsada hanggang Palitud. As to progress of physical accomplishments, it’s on schedule naman, and hoping to be completed by December 2026,” he shared. Through continued monitoring and coordination with LGUs, the DILG  aims to ensure the efficient implementation of infrastructure projects and the delivery of their intended benefits to communities in improving connectivity, supporting agricultural activities, and providing communities with more reliable road access. (JDP/VJLT – PIA  with reports from DILG-Mountain Province)    

CAMP DANGWA. Benguet, Philippines – The Police Regional Office-Cordillera Administrative Region assured that 3,458 policemen are ready for a comprehensive plan in the entire region and a heightened alert status from October 31 to midnight of November 2, to enhance security during the observance of Undas Day. According to PBGen.Noel Vallo, regional director, the assignment of the said police force is to address public safety, crime prevention, traffic management, and the prompt delivery of emergency police assistance during the celebration of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. The deployment plan will cover cemeteries, memorial parks, columbaria, places of worship, major roads, transportation hubs, tourist destinations, and other strategic locations. Personnel will also conduct mobile patrols and establish checkpoints to deter criminal activities, help maintain smooth traffic flow, and ensure timely response to incidents. Based on the regional deployment plan, 742 personnel have been allocated for checkpoints, 555 for mobile patrols, 296 for tourist destinations, 255 for places of worship, 182 for major roads, and 57 for transportation hubs. These measures aim to strengthen police presence in areas where public assistance and security monitoring may be needed. For cemetery-related security operations, PRO CAR has identified 190 cemeteries, five memorial parks, and one columbarium across the region. A total of 1,371 personnel have been deployed to provide security at these locations, including 224 Police Assistance Desks (PADs) established to serve as accessible points for inquiries, emergency reports, and other concerns of the public. The security plan covers Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Baguio City. Provincial and city police offices are expected to implement appropriate measures based on their respective operational requirements, local conditions, and expected influx of visitors. In preparation for Undas, PRO CAR continues to emphasize police visibility and preventive security measures in and around schools to help protect students, teachers, and other members of the academic community. PRO CAR called on the public to exercise caution, protect their homes and personal belongings before traveling, follow traffic warnings, and remain alert in crowded areas. Any suspicious activity or emergency should be reported immediately to the nearest personnel or police station.          

By Yvonne Gracious T. Elegado   The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD FO CAR), through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) Program, conducted Local Government Unit (LGU) Capacity Assessment from 13 – 15 October 2026, to evaluate the readiness of municipalities targeted for program implementation in Calendar Year 2027. The activity covered six municipalities under two KALAHI-CIDSS modalities. For the Panahon ng Pagkilos: Philippine Community Resilience Project (PCRP), the four additional municipalities of Lagayan, Pilar, Tineg, and Villaviciosa in Abra were evaluated for Batch 2 implementation in 2027. Meanwhile, Natonin and Tadian in Mountain Province were evaluated under the Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay–Community-Driven Development (KKB-CDD) modality. All participating LGUs passed the evaluation. The activity examined the LGUs’ institutional readiness across key areas, including organizational structure, personnel competence, management systems, enabling policies, knowledge management, and leadership. It also helped municipal officials better understand their commitments and responsibilities under the program, particularly in promoting good governance, effective resource management, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and inclusive, community-driven development. The results will guide the provision of tailored technical assistance and capacity-building interventions based on each municipality’s needs, helping strengthen local government capacities for the effective and sustainable implementation of PCRP and KKB-CDD in 2027.          

By Yvonne Gracious T. Elegado   The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD FO CAR), through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) Program, strengthens coordination with provincial governments and partner agencies to support the implementation of the Panahon ng Pagkilos: Philippine Community Resilience Project (PCRP) in the Cordillera. Provincial Inter-Agency and Technical Working Group (PTWG) meetings were held in Apayao on 15 October, Abra on 20 October, and Mountain Province on 22 October 2026. The meetings brought together representatives from provincial and municipal local government units (LGUs), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the KALAHI-CIDSS Regional Program Management Office and Area Coordinating Teams. Discussions covered municipal resilience plans, potential funding support from provincial governments and national government agencies, and the technical assistance needed to implement proposed community projects. Stakeholders also discussed their respective roles in helping municipalities address local risks and meet project requirements. Proposed subprojects identified through the municipal resilience plans include improvements to irrigation and water systems, flood mitigation structures, access roads, multi-purpose buildings, slope protection structures, and pathways with railings. These projects aim to address local needs, improve access to essential services, protect communities from hazards, and support livelihoods. Panahon ng Pagkilos is the new modality of KALAHI-CIDSS that supports communities in identifying local needs and prioritizing projects to address risks and vulnerabilities. It enables community participation in planning and implementing initiatives aimed at strengthening resilience and improving access to essential services

CAMP DANGWA, Benguet, Philippines  – Sixty-three fugitives, including four Regional Top Most Wanted Persons, all facing rape charges, were nabbed in separate one-week manhunt operations in Cordillera, last October 11-17. Among the notable achievements was the arrest of four TMWPs, ranked No. 1 to 4 at the Regional Level. No. 1 Regional TMWP is facing 10 counts of Statutory Rape; No. 2 Regional TMWP is facing two counts of Qualified Rape; No. 3 Regional TMWP is facing a case of Sexual Assault; while No. 4 Regional TMWP is facing a case of Qualified Rape of a Minor. Meanwhile, five are listed at the Provincial Level, while three are listed at the Municipal Level. The Benguet Police Provincial Office (PPO) recorded the highest number of arrests, with 22 wanted personalities nabbed, followed by the Baguio City Police Office (CPO) with 18 arrests; Abra PPO with six arrests; Ifugao PPO and Kalinga PPO with five arrests each; Apayao PPO with four arrests and Mountain Province PPO with three arrests. PBGen. Noel Vallo, regional director said the PRO CAR also maintains higher police visibility and ongoing community engagement throughout the region, supporting the continued maintenance of peace and order. These efforts contributed to zero crime incidents recorded in 53 municipalities: 23 in Abra; eight in Mountain Province, seven in Ifugao, six each in Apayao and Benguet and three in Kalinga. Police Station 6 of the Baguio CPO also recorded zero crime incidents during the period. During the same period, Police Regional Office Cordillera Administrative Region recorded a Crime Clearance Efficiency of 76.92% and Crime Solution Efficiency of 75.82%, reflecting the continuous efforts of police units in resolving reported cases and bringing perpetrators to justice.  

By Peter Vila, Jr.   LA TRINIDAD, Bengue/, Philip[pinest – Mayor Roderick Awingan says the plan of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to establish a post-harvest and vegetable facility within the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) here is welcome and will benefit local farmers. Awingan expressed his elation after the DA, which wants to build the facility early next year, will curb spoilage and protect highland farmers from post-harvest losses during peak harvest season. In a message, Awingan said: “The (post-harvest and vegetable) facility will surely be a big boost to the income of the farmers.” He added: “We welcome the initiative since it enhances the value chain of local vegetables.“ In issuing Department Order 31, which Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. signed last Tuesday, October 6 and posted on the DA website on Wednesday, October 7, the DA said: “The project shall be undertaken to reduce post-harvest losses and deterioration of product value, preserve and retain the high quality and market value of highland vegetable produce, provide additional and reliable cold-chain capacity for Benguet’s highland vegetable industry, and strengthen and modernize the BAPTC’s capacity to serve farmers and facilitate the efficient movement of highland vegetable produce to markets,….” The order wants the facility to be developed “within the existing BAPTC compound to significantly expand Northern Luzon’s cold-chain infrastructure.” Tui Laurel wants the construction to start in the first quarter of next year, the facility with the 1.5 hectare BAPTC compound “will feature expanded cold storage infrastructure, blast-freezing units, Individual Quick Freezing (IQF) lines, automated washing, packing and repacking facilities, digital inventory management platforms, and dedicated environmental facilities for wastewater treatment and organic waste management.” The order likewise saw the creation of a committee “to oversee, coordinate and monitor the planning, funding, construction and eventual turnover and operationalization of the project.” By signing the order, the DA created the BAPTC Postharvest and Vegetable Processing Facility Project Management and Monitoring Committee (BAPTC PVPF-PMMC) with Undersecretary for Agro-Marine Industrial Systems as chair. The committee members will include the DA Operations and Agri-Fisheries Mechanization and for Rural Credit, High-Value Crops Development, Agricultural and Fisheries Logistics Office, Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS), and Food Terminal, Inc. (FTI). The newly established committee, the order said: “shall secure a usufruct agreement over the project site with Benguet State University (BSU), execute a tripartite memorandum of agreement among DA, BSU and FTI, and manage the competitive selection of a private sector operator to manage and maintain the complex.” The DA Regional Field Office-Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR), Agricultural and Fisheries Logistics Office (AFLO), and the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) will provide administrative and technical support. Vegetable over-production has caused losses to Benguet farmers. Many of them refuse to bring their produce to the market expecting bigger losses and instead have the same rot.