Tabuk City – In recognition of his compassion and commitment to public service, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Tabuk City has declared Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go as an adopted son of the city, bestowing upon him the name “Charutag,” which means solicitude or one who deeply cares and shows concern. Through Resolution No. 250, series of 2025, approved during a regular session on July 8, the City Council acknowledged the Senator’s extensive support to the people of Tabuk, especially in the areas of healthcare, disaster response, and social welfare. The resolution stated that the name “Charutag” reflects not only the cultural identity of Tabuk but also the personal values and dedicated public service of Senator Go. The resolution was personally handed to Senator Go during a special adoption rite organized in his honor. Local officials and residents gathered to express their gratitude for his instrumental role in the establishment of the Malasakit Center at the Kalinga Provincial Hospital and his continued efforts to bring government services closer to the people. The adoption resolution was moved and duly seconded, and officially adopted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod during its session at the Legislative Building in Dagupan, Tabuk City.

The Department of Tourism – CAR brings the Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP) Training to Lagawe, Ifugao. In collaboration with the Ifugao Police Provincial Office (IPPO) and the Provincial Tourism Office of Ifugao, 50 police officers proudly completed the 4-day training aimed at improving the quality of tourism services in the province. The TOPCOP training reinforces the role of police officers not just as enforcers of the law, but as frontliners in the protection of tourists. As guardians of peace and order, they play a crucial part in creating a safe and secure environment where both visitors and local communities can interact harmoniously. Through proper tourist handling, sensitivity, and responsive service, they will ensure a positive and memorable experience for travelers, ultimately contributing to the growth and improvement of tourism in the Province of Ifugao.      

Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas warmly welcomed Mayor Yoshito Arisaka of Minamimaki Mura, Japan, during the latter’s courtesy visit to the Governor’s Office recently. Mayor Arisaka was joined by Secretary General Shimizu Toshihiro of the Japan Agricultural Exchange Council (JAEC), along with other delegates from Minamimaki. During the visit, Mayor Arisaka extended his congratulations to Governor Diclas and the newly elected officials of Benguet on their recent electoral victory. He expressed appreciation for the Benguet farmer-trainees currently deployed in Minamimaki, commending them as “the best farmers because of their experience in highland vegetables.” He emphasized their contribution to Minamimaki’s agriculture-based economy, particularly in the cultivation of highland vegetables, strawberries, and livestock. Looking ahead, Mayor Arisaka expressed hope for stronger ties and collaboration between Benguet and Minamimaki. They also discussed plans to establish sisterhood agreements with the municipalities of Buguias and Tublay, with formal discussions scheduled this week. The proposed partnerships aim to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, tourism, and culture. Minamimaki currently has a sisterhood agreement with the Municipality of La Trinidad. Governor Diclas, in turn, thanked JAEC and the Municipality of Minamimaki for their continued friendship and support, stressing how the partnership has been helpful in the exchange of knowledge and agricultural technology that benefits the people of Benguet. Also present during the meeting were Benguet Board Members Romeo Salda, Armando Lauro, and Jim Botiwey.    

The Community-Based Farm Tourism Development initiative in Barangay Shilan, La Trinidad, Benguet is a project of the Department of Tourism through the Office of Tourism Development Planning, in partnership with World Vision Korea and World Vision Philippines. With support from the Department of Tourism – Cordillera Administrative Region (DOT-CAR), the initiative continues to gain momentum through strong collaboration with local stakeholders and community members. As part of the ongoing assessment under the DURE Project, the team visited key local sites – a coffee farm, an organic farm, and local beekeepers – to explore opportunities for tourism product development, community-based livelihoods, and enhanced visitor experiences. The team also engaged with barangay officials led by Barangay Chairman Mr. Melecio Orid, La Trinidad Municipal Councilor Belmer Ellis, Ms. Amber Depnag of the La Trinidad Tourism Office, the Shilan Tour Guides Association (SHITOGA), and other members of the community. Discussions centered on empowering locals, enhancing tourism offerings, and unlocking Shilan’s tourism potential. To cap the visit, DOT-CAR Regional Director Jovita Ganongan convened the team to discuss field insights, assess progress, and map out strategic next steps. Her engagement reaffirmed the regional office’s support for inclusive, sustainable, and community-driven tourism development in the Cordilleras. Sustainable tourism, created with the community, for the community.  

Baguio Lone District Rep. Mauricio G. Domogan underscored that the eventual establishment of the autonomous region in the Cordillera will be the gift of the elders and leaders to the youth who will be the ones to reap the fruits of self-governance and genuine development. In his message during the kick off program of the 38th founding anniversary of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) held last July 1, 2025 at the Baguio Convention Center, Domogan said that one of the priority bills that he intends to file within his first 100 days in office is the proposed autonomy law with the support of fellow Cordillera congressmen and other lawmakers who support the region’s clamor for self-rule. He reiterated that the autonomy bill that will be filed will not affect or diminish the present powers and benefits being enjoyed by the region under the present special temporary administrative set up bit will instead increase the same aside from allowing the autonomous regional government to formulate policies, programs and activities that are suitable to the prevailing conditions unlike in the present set up where all initiatives emanate from the central government even if it is not feasible to be implemented in the Cordillera. The returning congressman pointed out that Cordillera elders and leaders will be remiss in their duty to provide the future generations with a better set up of government with the establishment of the autonomous region if they will not unite and aggressively work for its realization as the same is already long overdue. According to him, he will personally make the appropriate representation with Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, who earlier committed his support to the region’s clamor for autonomy when he was a member of the House and a senator, to push for the provision of funds that will sustain the operation of the autonomous region as he does not buy the idea of the national government that it cannot support the requested funds for the autonomous region. Domogan also argued that the contention that a third Organic Act might have legal impediments because current jurisprudence provides that there will be no hindrance to the said initiative until such time that Congress shall have passed an autonomy law acceptable to the people of the region. He asserted that elders and leaders should be passionate in supporting the region’s quest for autonomy because it will be the future of the youth that will be at stake and he does not want future leaders to put the blame on the present ones for not doing their duty to fight for what is right for the region. Section 15, Article 10 of the 1987 Constitution mandates the establishment of autonomous regions in the Cordillera and Muslim Mindanao The lawmaker stipulated that lawmakers from Mindanao have expressed their support to the passage of the Cordillera autonomy bill long ago because they want to return the compliment in recognition of the support of the Cordillera congressmen to the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law that resulted to the enhancement of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). (Baguio PIO)

Ngayong hapon, Hunyo 2, 2025, opisyal na iprinoklama ng Provincial Board of Canvassers ng Comelec-Benhuet si Congressman Eric Go Yap bilang duly elected Member ng House of Representatives para sa Lone District ng Benguet para sa terminong 2025–2028. 📸 Comelec Benguet  

  The Department of Tourism – Cordillera Administrative Region, led by Director Jovita A. Ganongan, proudly participated in the kick-off ceremony of the 38th Cordillera Month celebration, held to mark the beginning of a month-long tribute to the rich culture, resilience, and unity of the Cordilleran people. This year’s theme, “𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑪𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒂,” highlights the collective commitment of the region to work together toward a more inclusive, empowered, and sustainable future. The kick-off ceremony, on July 1 in Baguio City, gathered various regional line agencies, local government units, indigenous peoples’ groups, and civil society organizations, all united in honoring the enduring spirit and shared aspirations of the Cordilleras. DOT-CAR joins the celebration in recognition of the vital role tourism plays in preserving cultural heritage, strengthening regional identity, and fostering economic development. As the celebration unfolds, DOT-CAR remains committed to promoting the Cordilleras as a model of cultural pride and sustainable tourism, while supporting efforts that protect the region’s heritage and empower its communities.      

By Pigeon Lobien and Primo Agatep   The Commission on Elections Second Division last June 21 lifted the suspension of proclamation of Rep. Eric Yap and ordered the provincial board of canvassers to proclaim him as winner of the May 12 elections. Yap had been the subject of cases filed before the Comelec barring him from being proclaimed even after he won the election by more than 85,000 votes. The three page decision signed by Commissioner Rey Dulay noted that Yap’s position as Representative has been given due course and as a result ” the suspension of the proclamation of respondent Eric G. Yap is here by lifted. The Provincial Board of Benguet is here by directed to reconvene and proclaim respondent Eric G. Yap as the duly elected Member of the House of Representatives for the Lone District of Benguet.” The decision signed also by Commissioners Nelson Celis and Noli Puno noted that petitioner Franklin Tino wanted Yap’s certificate of candidacy (COC) be cancelled due to the congressman’s citizenship. Tino alleged that Yap is not a natural born Filipino adding that Yap should not be qualified to seek said office. The commissioners said that the “petitioner has utterly failed to discharge this burden.” They wrote “Not a single of documentary, testimonial or circumstantial evidence has been adduced to support his claims against the respondent.” They added in the case docketed as SPA No. 24-206 (DC) that “petitioner failed to prove that respondent deliberately committed material misrepresentation as to his qualification when he indicated in his COC that he was a natural born Filipino citizen.” Gov. Melchor Diclas, vice gov. Mary Rose Fongwan – Kepes and the new provincial board will be inducted on Monday at the Capitol where Yap is expected to attend. Last June 6, a manifesto signed by some 36,000 Benguet residents was filed by a group led by Gary Abela with the Comelec asking that Yap be proclaimed.