PINUKPUK, Kalinga, Philippines  – Joint police and Philippine Army personnel uncovered various types of isg powered firearms and equipment at an abandoned Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) camp in the mountainous area of ​​Sitio Sagideng, Barangay Taga, Pinukpuk, Kalinga, on December 11. The recovered weapons included one MK2 Fragmentation Hand Grenade, one 40mm High Explosive (HE) cartridge, two Rifle Grenades (HE), and thirty pieces of rusted 5.56mm ammunition. Equipment also found at the site were two buckets of rice, various medicines and medical supplies, two cellphone chargers, one red and one black electrical cord, one rope, and two USB drives. According to PLt. Jhonny Boy Binwang, of the 1503rd Maneuver Company, RMFB 15 of the Police Regional Office-Cordillera, said the discovery of the NPA encampment was based on valuable information provided by a recently surrendered CTG member. The meticulous operation was conducted with the assistance of Pinukpuk MPS personnel, Philippine Army personnel led by 1Lt Bienvinenido Guerrero and other law enforcers and quickly located the abandoned rebel camp. Zaldy Comanda

TABUK CITY, Kalinga , Philippines — Governor James S. Edduba has issued an Executive Order directing the half-mast display of the Philippine flag on all government buildings across the Province of Kalinga on December 4, 2025 to honor the late National Living Treasure (Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan) Alonzo Ayutu Saclag Sr. The order recognizes the province’s deep mourning over the passing of Saclag, an esteemed cultural master whose lifelong dedication preserved and promoted Kalinga’s indigenous music, dance, rituals, and heritage. Widely respected as a cultural guardian, Saclag’s legacy has brought national and international recognition to the people of Kalinga. Edduba cited the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines (RA 8491), which mandates the half-mast display of the Philippine flag as a sign of mourning on the day of interment of National Artists and National Living Treasures. “In honoring National Living Treasure Alonzo Saclag Sr., we honor the soul of Kalinga’s culture itself,” the order states. Under Section 1 of the Executive Order, all government buildings in the province are instructed to fly the national flag at half-mast from sunrise to sunset on December 4, 2025, the scheduled day of Saclag’s interment. Saclag Sr., 83, passed away on November 29, who was honored with the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan or National Living Treasures Award in 2000. He also founded the Kalinga Budong Dance Troupe in his bid to pass down his knowledge of the performing arts to the next generations. The Provincial Government of Kalinga calls on all offices, institutions, and communities to join in remembering and paying tribute to Saclag’s immense cultural legacy, which will continue to shape Kalinga’s identity for generations. (Province of Kalinga)

DSWD FO CAR was recognized by the Department of Information and Communications Technology–CAR (DICT–CAR) for its unwavering support and contributions toward advancing digital literacy and building an empowered, digitally capable citizenry in the region. The award was received by DSWD FO CAR Regional Director Maria A. Catbagan-Aplaten, PhD., during the DICT–CAR ICT Literacy and Competency Development Bureau Partner Summit 2025 held on 27 November 2025 in Baguio City. The recognition highlights DSWD’s commitment to strengthening digital inclusion and enabling Cordillerans to access and navigate essential online services effectively. During the same event, RD Aplaten also joined the renewal of partnerships under the DIGITAL BAYANIHAN initiative, a DICT-led program that unites government agencies, LGUs, and learning institutions to promote ICT literacy, expand digital skills training, and ensure wider access to technology across communities. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by representatives from OWWA, DOLE, DSWD, DTI, BJMP, TESDA, PIA, and the Institute of Electronic Engineers of the Philippines–CAR.

PROVINCE OF KALINGA, Philippines  – The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported, on November 26, that the damage caused by Super Typhoon Uwan in the province of Kalinga continues to increase to P1.37 billion. According to the PDRRMC, a total of 12,646 families or 54,561 individuals were affected throughout the province, while 1,967 were damaged, of which 82 were totally damaged for a total of P19,522,659,181 in damages. The province was also severely damaged in agriculture from the destruction of rice, corn, high value crops, vegetables, banana, calamansi, coffee, durian and rambutan amounting to P81,272,779, while the damage to agricultural infrastructure was P272,104,720. The damaged machinery includes tractors, rice mills, centrifugal pumps, lawn mowers, generators, chainsaws, thresher units, and other farm equipment in Tabuk and Pasil Cities, valued at ₱910,000. Extensive damage to public infrastructure, including community irrigation systems (CIS), slope protections, roads, greenhouses, national and provincial roads, day care centers, washing sheds, elementary school buildings, bridges, flood control systems, water reservoirs, material recovery facilities, tourism roads, foot canals, water systems, slope protections, bridges (including suspension and slab bridges), school buildings, barangay halls, church buildings, BFP and PNP facilities, comfort rooms, clinics, municipalities, and many others, with initial damage of P992,453,264.35 Animal and poultry damage was recorded at P29,313,9267.50, while damage to livelihoods was P704,945. Five fatalities were recorded: four from the landslide in Western Uma, where one is still missing and search and rescue operations are ongoing, and one from Buscalan who died of drowning and was found in a river along Bangad, Tinglayan. Here are the initial damages suffered by the eight towns of Kalinga. Tabuk City: P45,038,939.72 Tinglayan: P7,401,509 Balbalan: P7,949,367.86 Pasil: P6,309,795.34 Pinukpuk: P27,979,376.77 Rizal: P3,482,594 Lubuagan: P4,758,807.94 Tanudan: P7,228,831.03 Provincial authorities stressed that this is only a preliminary consolidated report, and the extent of damage may continue to increase as municipal LGUs complete their assessments, especially in remote and hard-to-reach areas. The public is urged to closely coordinate with local officials for assistance, advice, and ongoing relief operations.          

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority – Cordillera Administrative Region (TESDA-CAR) earned two national awards at the 2025 Idols ng TESDA and Kabalikat Awards, held on November 24, 2025, at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City. Isabelito B. Carpio from Abra was named National Winner in the Wage-Employed Category of the 2025 Idols ng TESDA, which recognizes graduates of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs who have achieved skills excellence and professional success while contributing to economic growth in their communities. His success story exemplifies how TVET graduates can thrive professionally and inspire others to pursue technical and vocational careers. Meanwhile, the Office of Congressman Maximo Y. Dalog, Jr. received the Kabalikat Award in the Legislative Category, which honors partners who have made significant contributions to the implementation and promotion of TVET programs. The office demonstrated sustained advocacy, mobilized resources, and fostered partnerships that enhanced skills development and employment opportunities for Cordilleran learners. Its continuous support and active participation in TESDA programs earned it national recognition as a model of effective public-private collaboration in TVET. These national recognitions reflect the dedication, expertise, and commitment of Cordilleran professionals and institutional partners across the region to continue supporting and advancing technical vocational education and training in the Philippines. The 2025 Idols ng TESDA and Kabalikat Awards honor individuals and organizations whose achievements contribute to workforce development and the economic growth of their communities through TVET programs.  

LUNA, Apayao, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government–Cordillera Administrative Region (DILG-CAR), through its Regional and Provincial Project Development and Management Unit (R/PPDMU), in coordination with the Luna Municipal Engineering Office, conducted a joint inspection of the FY 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance Incentive Fund (SGLGIF) project entitled Purchase and Installation of Solar-Powered Streetlights in Barangay Poblacion on November 20, 2025, in Luna, Apayao. The activity evaluated the project’s compliance with established technical standards and its overall operational readiness. Key observations and technical recommendations were presented to the implementing unit during the exit conference, underscoring the shared commitment of DILG-CAR and the Local Government Unit to ensuring high-quality, efficient, and community-responsive local infrastructure.