BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — A total of 6,670 jeepney drivers in the Cordillera region will receive P5,000 each under the Cash Relief Assistance (CRA) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development- Cordillera Administrative Region. In the first round of CRA payout on May 4 at the Baguio Convention Center, out of a total target of 3,868 jeepney drivers in Baguio City, 2,987 beneficiaries received P5,000 each. In total, Baguio City jeepneys drivers have a pool of P19,340,000. According to the DSWD FO CAR, beneficiaries who were included in the official list but did not get their CRA during the payout will have a special payout on May 9, 2026, at the DSWD Crisis Intervention Section (CIS) Office, 1st Floor, SN Oriental Building, #19 Leonard Wood Road. On May 5, the CRA payout was conducted at the municipal hall of La Trinidad targeting 2,372 jeepney drivers from 13 towns in Benguet, with a total fund of P11,860,000. The successful implementation of the payout was made possible through the support of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Baguio, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Philippine National Police (PNP), Baguio City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), and other partner agencies. The payout demonstrated effective inter-agency coordination where the flow of beneficiaries was smooth through an organized system, from verification to the actual receipt of assistance. The presence and active participation of each agency was essential to ensure order, security, and speedy service throughout the payout day. Those who were not included in the list of beneficiaries are advised to contact the LTFRB for the corresponding verification and other processes. For other PUV drivers in other provinces of the Cordillera Administrative Region, just wait for your payout schedule this week. Meanwhile, in a social media post by Jaime Galano, Jr., a jeepney driver from Baguio City, he expressed his gratitude for the government’s assistance in response to his daily needs as a driver who continues to face the challenge of high diesel prices.              

By Carlito Dar   BAGUIO CITY,Philippines  (PIA) — Over 7,000 local and overseas job vacancies are up for the taking at Baguio City’s Labor Day jobs fair in celebration of the 124th workers’ day observance on May 1, 2026, at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center and SM City Baguio. Department of Labor and Employment-Cordillera Autonomous Region (DOLE-CAR) Regional Director Imelda Romanillos and officials of the City Public Employment Service Office, SM City Baguio, and other partners shared information about the jobs fair in a recent kapihan forum. DOLE-CAR, in partnership with the city PESO, will spearhead the job fair at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center, where around 50 employers will be offering 4,415 local job vacancies and 2,424 overseas employment opportunities. In partnership with SM City Baguio, a jobs fair will be held at the Atrium, where 11 mall locators will offer almost 500 employment positions. Government agencies will set up a one-stop shop in both job fair venues to provide information, program consultation/counselling, and agency – related services. The Department of Migrant Workers will be there to monitor overseas employment and to process OFW documents, particularly the Overseas Employment Certificate. The Department of Trade and Industry will be ready to assist entrepreneurs or startups with business-related information or advice. For those who need technical – vocational education and training or skills upscaling, there is the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, while the Professional Regulation Commission will attend to the licensure examination needs of graduate students and to provide services to PRC – registered professionals. For social protection needs, the Home Development Mutual Fund or PAGIBIG, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Social Security System are ready to assist. Also joining the Labor Day Jobs Fair One – Stop – Shop are the Civil Service Commission, Philippine Statistics Authority, Employees Compensation Commission, Occupational Safety and Health Center and the Bureau of Internal Revenue, among others. Job seekers are advised to bring their best selves (come in proper attire), have multiple resumes (biodata), and be ready to be interviewed onsite. The 124th Philippine Labor Day celebration carries the theme, “Disenteng Trabaho Para sa Lahat: Iisang Hangarin, Bagong Pilipinas, sama-samang Mararating”. (CCD/PIA CAR)

By Rod G. Asurin   APAYAO, Philippines (PIA) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) continues to step up efforts to modernize rice farming, training farmers in Apayao on drone technology to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase yields. Farmers in Barangay Emiliana, Santa Marcela took part in a hands-on demonstration showcasing drone-assisted direct seeding, field mapping, and automated application of fertilizers and pesticides on March 26, 2026. Participants in this activity include 64 farmer-cooperators in said barangay with around 120 hectares of rice fields. The farmers are beneficiaries of the DA’s Drones4Rice project, an initiative under the National Rice Program that promotes precision agriculture through the use of drones. According to DA-Cordillera Assistant Regional Rice Focal Person Bruce Daculan, local farmers were initially hesitant to adopt the technology during the first techno-demonstration, but said interest grew as farmers saw positive results from earlier demonstrations. He noted that drones help reduce production costs, lessens labor requirements, speeds up farm operations, and helps optimize input use compared to traditional methods. Meanwhile, National Rice Program consultant Dr. Andrew Villacorta encouraged the participants to promote the technology within their communities and consider value-adding strategies to increase income instead of relying solely on palay sales. During the activity, farmers also received guidance on proper fertilizer use based on soil analysis and local conditions to ensure efficient input use and better yields. Bessie Pascua, a first-time participant, said the activity helped them better understand how modern tools can improve their farming practices. “Malaking tulong po ito sa amin. Mas napadali ang trabaho at mas nakita namin ang benepisyo ng makabagong teknolohiya sa pagsasaka,” she said. The initiative is part of the government’s broader effort to modernize agriculture and strengthen food security under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ‘s development agenda. (JDP/RGA-PIA CAR  with reports from DA Rafis Cordillera)          

APAYAO, Philippines — Key farm development projects in Apayao are moving forward after provincial officials approved and endorsed proposed subprojects under the Department of Agrarian Reform’s (DAR) Value Chain Innovation for Sustainable Transformation in Agrarian Reform Communities (VISTA) Project. During the Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting on April 15, the proposed subprojects for 2025 were reviewed, validated, and endorsed, clearing them for submission to higher approving bodies. The review ensured that the projects are aligned with provincial priorities and national development goals. Atty. Penelope B. De Ausen, VISTA provincial project director, said strong coordination among agencies and communities is crucial to ensure effective and inclusive rural development. The PCC action followed the earlier endorsement of the same proposals by the Expanded Agrarian Reform Community Cluster Coordinating Committee (EARCC-CC) during its meeting on April 13 in Conner, Apayao. Local government units, farmer groups, and partner agencies took part in the discussions, focusing on improving project design and addressing implementation concerns. Meanwhile, a new EARCC-CC was formally organized in Luna, Apayao on April 16 to strengthen coordination at the grassroots level. The body will serve as a platform for planning and decision-making in implementing future projects. The activity concluded with stakeholders signing a pledge of commitment, signaling unified support for the VISTA Project.//DARRO-CAR  

By Rod G. Asurin   BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – The distinct flavors of Cordillera indigenous cuisine will once again take the spotlight as the 7th Mangan Taku Cordillera Food Fair opens from April 23 to 27, 2026, at the Rose Garden, Burnham Park. Organized by the Department of Tourism-Cordillera (DOT-CAR) in partnership with the City Government of Baguio, the event is part of the celebration of Filipino Food Month and carries the theme “Preserving Traditions, Sustaining Flavors.” DOT-CAR Regional Director Jovita A. Ganongan said the food fair highlights the Cordillera’s rich culinary heritage through authentic dishes, traditional cooking methods, and locally sourced ingredients. “This is dedicated to the rich culinary heritage of the Cordilleras, authentic flavors that define our region’s identity. We will have all provinces participating,” Ganongan said. Now on its seventh year, Mangan Taku will feature 46 exhibitors, which include slow food communities and local food enterprises from the different provinces of the Cordillera, along with selected participants from Regions I and II, showcasing the wider Northern Luzon food landscape. Visitors can expect a wide range of indigenous food, from highland vegetables to traditional delicacies prepared through time-honored methods such as smoking, fermentation, and curing. Ganongan emphasized that food is a vital part of Cordillera identity. “When you taste Cordillera food, you also get a glimpse of our culture. Food is part of our heritage,” she said. To make the experience more interactive, the Mangan Taku Food Crawl will return, allowing guests to explore booths using a food passport. A minimum purchase of P200 per booth earns stamps, and visitors who complete at least 10 stamps may receive simple tokens from the organizers. The Cookfest will feature community cooks and professional chefs presenting Cordillera-inspired dishes using indigenous ingredients and traditional techniques. Ganongan encouraged the public to visit and support local producers. “We invite everyone, residents and tourists, to join us in exploring and celebrating the flavors that connect us to our roots while supporting our local farmers and MSMEs,” she said. The five-day fair aims to promote cultural preservation, strengthen local enterprises, and celebrate the living culinary traditions of the Cordillera. (JDP/RGA-PIA CAR, Baguio City)

By Jamie Joie Malingan   BANGUED, Abra, Philippines (PIA) — Thirty-three land titles were distributed to individuals and schools in Abra under the Handog Titulo Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). “We have 24 agricultural patents and nine special patents. Special patents ang binibigay sa ating mga government agencies like school sites,” DENR-Cordillera Assistant Regional Director Marcos Bias said  during the DENR Express  activity  on April 14, 2026, at the Provincial Capitol. He said that the Handog Titulo Program aims to facilitate the faster transfer of public lands to qualified individuals and institutions. “Sa mga school sites na nabigyan ng titulo, they will be eligible for infrastructure projects. Bibigyan ka ng funding para i-improve ang ating mga facilities sa schools,” he added. Bias also noted that educational institutions that are given special patents are exempted from real property tax under the Constitution. “Thank you, DENR. These [land titles] imply security among school personnel that the schools own the land and we can finally do a lot more for school facility development and environment protection,” said Principal Hilda Palecpec of the Mabungtot Elementary School in Langiden, Abra. Other schools that received land titles during the DENR Express activity in Bangued on April 14 are the Pidigan Central School, Baac Elementary School, Manabo Pilot Elementary School, Cardona Primary School, Dolores Central School, San Juan Central School, and Supiil Elementary School. An agricultural patent was also awarded to Mr. Emilio Quemerista. (JDP/JJMT- PIA-CAR, Abra)   Representatives of beneficiary schools and an individual patent receive land titles under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Handog Titulo Program during the DENR Express held on April 14, 2026, at the Provincial Capitol, Bangued.      

    LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Philippines — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visited the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) in La Trinidad, to ensure the government’s ongoing efforts to address the impact of the crisis on the agricultural sector and outlined some of the measures to help farmers, on April 17, 2026. PBBM, together with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., led the distribution of farm equipment and inputs to crisis to about 45 cooperatives and associations in Benguet, following interventions under the High Value Crops Program of the Department of Agriculture, PBBM visited the Spot Trading Building 2 (Wholesale Area), where post-harvest activities are conducted, and interacted with farmers and key stakeholders in the vegetable industry in the Cordillera mountains. The visit underscores the government’s commitment to strengthen the agricultural value chain by improving market efficiency, price stability and supply distribution. “We are now at the trading center and market, because we were surprised by reports that most vegetable products here from mountainous areas are no longer imported due to the high gasoline prices we are experiencing. So we are looking into it and looking for a way out. First of all, we reduced the price of diesel by ten pesos and the local government charges were waved, then we also removed the toll fee for trucks traveling. The ten wheeler was supposed to pay P3,000 and the four wheeler was P1,000, now they will not pay until this oil price increase is over,” PBBM said in a media interview. He said that drivers who need assistance were also included in the TUPAD program (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers)  of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). “This is our help, first of all to ensure our food supply, secondly, to ensure that our farmers, our producers, wholesalers do not feel too bad, to ensure that our food supply continues so that we do not have problems with food prices and supply.” He added that because of the initiatives, there is now a better system that is already in place and the initiatives are ongoing. “That is why we are here to talk to the vendors about what else they think we can do.” PBBM added that they are continuing to monitor to ensure that everyone feels the government’s help now in the current crisis caused by the war in the Middle East. Vegetable Trader Mona Dongkasi expressed her gratitude for the personal visit of President Marcos, Jr. and hopes that the situation in the trading area in Benguet will be resolved. “Now our President has seen our situation here where vegetable prices are falling and our buyers are decreasing due to the increase in crude oil prices. We ask our dear President to help him find a solution to this current crisis,” Dongkasi said. (By Zaldy Comanda with reports from PIA-Cordillera)      

BENGUET, Philippines — The Benguet Little League delegation, composed of 32 athletes and coaches, paid a courtesy visit to Governor Melchor Daguines Diclas. The team, made up of players from both public and private schools in La Trinidad, Kapangan, Mankayan, and Itogon, will compete in the 2026 Little League Philippines Series – National Finals in Ilocos Norte from April 17 to 24, 2026. The squad was formed through a series of tryouts, selecting athletes to complete two teams composed of 16 players each for the male and female divisions. Governor Diclas extended his best wishes and good luck to the delegation, while providing financial assistance from the Provincial Local Government Unit and personally extending additional support as a gesture of encouragement for their participation in the national competition.      

BENGUET, Philippines — The Provincial Government of Benguet, led by Governor Melchor Daguines Diclas, recognized the top placers of the Benguet Coffee-Cacao Quality Competition held in March 2026, during the flag raising ceremony on Monday, April 13, at the Provincial Capitol. Rodelio B. Carame of La Trinidad emerged as champion in the Coffee Category, while Marcial M. Compala of Sablan secured first place in the Cacao category. The competition, conducted in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-Baguio Benguet), evaluated participants through a rigorous process that included coffee and cacao bean grading, coffee roasting, and cupping and tasting sessions to determine quality and excellence. In the Coffee Category, Veronica D. Catalino of Kapangan placed second, followed by Merced J. Manis of Tublay in third place. Meanwhile, in the Cacao division, Diony C. Bitayan of Kapangan took second place, while Tresia J. Sabino of Tublay finished third. Governor Diclas congratulated all winners, expressing optimism for increased funding for the competition in the coming years to further strengthen Benguet’s coffee and cacao industries. Also present during the awarding ceremony were members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, including Board Members Thomas K. Wales Jr., Neptali B. Camsol, Romeo K. Salda, Lady Charmaine S. Molintas-Likigan, Ruben L. Tinda-an, Reachelle C. Takinan-Balagsa, Armando I. Lauro, Alexander T. Fianza, Johannes A. Amuasen, and Benjamin G. Palbusa, Oliver K. Paus, along with Provincial Agriculturist Delinia D. Juan and representatives from DTI- Baguio Benguet.