By Laarni S. Ilagan The local government units of Baguio City and Benguet have joined the call for the Senate to already approve the franchise of the Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) for another 25 years. The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Baguio City, Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Benguet and Benguet’s 13 municipalities (Atok, La Trinidad, Sablan, Tuba, Itogon, Kapangan, Kibungan, Mankayan, Buguias, Tublay, Itogon, Bokod, and Bakun) have passed their separate resolutions asking the Upper House to approve House Bill No. 10483, the bill’s version that was approved by the House of Representatives last September. Ditto with the Liga ng mga Barangay of Baguio City and Tuba. Going grass roots, the barangays of Happy Homes and Old Lucban and Magsaysay Private Road of Baguio City have also passed their barangay resolutions. More barangays have signified their support. Non-government entities like the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club (BCBC) and the Kapisanan ng mga Broadcasters ng Pilipinas (KBP)-Baguio-Benguet Chapter also gave their endorsement. Following the passage of HB 10483 (An Act Granting Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) a Franchise to Construct, Install, Establish, Operate, Own, Manage, and Maintain, a Distribution System for the Conveyance of Electric Power to the End-Users in all the municipalities of the Province of Benguet and Baguio City) at the lower house of Congress, the bill was transmitted to the Senate. The committee on public services, chaired by Sen. Raffy Tulfo, already endorsed the bill to the technical working group of the committee after a successful public hearing on the bill last Oct. 23, 2024. BENECO is hopeful the said committee will approve the bill for the immediate consideration of the Senate as a whole. The local resolutions said that “BENECO has long provided efficient and reliable electricity distribution services to the municipalities of Benguet and Baguio City, contributing significantly to their economic and social development.”                

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — In celebration of its 53rd founding anniversary, Benguet Cong. Eric Go Yap committed to donate two dialysis machines and one dental chair to Benguet General Hospital in a bid to improved its services and advance health care services in the province. Yap also commended the dedication of BeGH’s medical professionals and staff, who have been instrumental in delivering essential healthcare services to the people of Benguet. The solon added providing better healthcare facilities and accessible medical services is essential to uplift the welfare of their fellow Benguet residents, adding with these additional dialysis machines and dental chair, he hopes to bring even more accessible, quality healthcare to the province. “I cannot think of a good way to commemorate the 53rd anniversary of BeGH but to donate two additional dialysis machines for the hospital. Magbibigay din tayo ng isang dental chair kasi lumang luma na yung ginagamit nila sa hospital,” said Yap. Yap meanwhile emphasized the importance of government support in expanding hospital capabilities, noting that his office is working on to bring in more healthcare funding to rural hospitals like BeGH. Yap also initiated for the funding of 10 dialysis machines in 2021. “Parang kailan lang when we opened the dialysis facility ng hospital, we were able to get sa national government ng 10 units during that time. Masarap sa pakiramdam na nakikita natin na maraming nakikinabang. Now additional two units naman na idodonate natin,” added Yap. “Maraming nagpapadialysis na mga kailyan natin and to accommodate more sa BeGH, this is important. Marami tayong natutulungan thru our medical assistance program, but we want more to utilize yung facility ng BeGH.” Yap’s continuous allocation of resources from the national government has also enabled BeGH staff to receive adequate salaries and incentives with the hopes of constructing a new building for the hospital to cater to more patients in the province. “Gaya ng lagi natin sinasabi, we will not stop here, hindi tayo makokontento kasi our province deserves the best. So more will come,” Yap closed. Since coming to Benguet, Yap was instrumental in using his personal resources to put up and equip the BeGH molecular laboratory for suspected and potential Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, the existence of the high flow oxygen machines and other essential health equipment during the pandemic. (By Redjie Cawis-PIA-CAR)

CAMP MAJ.BADO DANGWA,Benguet — The Police Regional Office Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO-CAR) made a significant impact on its anti-illegal drugs campaign following the seizure of P130,040,403.00 worth of illegal drugs and the arrest of 25 drug personalities during the month long drug ops from October 1 to October 30, 2024. According to reports from the Regional Operations Division, 102 operations were conducted, which included 78 marijuana eradication efforts, 12 buy-bust operations, six implementations of search warrants, three services of warrants of arrest, and three police responses. These efforts led to the confiscation of 107.41 grams of shabu, 470,353 pieces of Fully Grown Marijuana Plants, 27,402 pieces of marijuana seedlings, 5.00 grams of marijuana seeds, 274,525.50 grams of dried marijuana leaves and fruiting tops; 10,000 grams of dried marijuana stalks, and 3.00 ml of marijuana oil, with a total Standard Drug Price of P130,040,403.00. Additionally, 25 drug personalities were arrested, with 15 identified as High Value Individuals and 10 identified as Street Level Individuals. The most significant operations occurred in Kalinga, where the Lumin-awa Cops of Kalinga Police Provincial Office (PPO) confiscated illegal drugs worth PhP59,057,110.00, and in Mountain Province, where the Inayan Cops of Mountain Province PPO seized illegal drugs valued at PhP45,098,005.00. Moreover, in Benguet, the Cabalyero Cops of Benguet PPO also had substantial success with the seizure of PhP25,296.048 worth of illegal drugs, and in Baguio City, the Napino Cops of Baguio City Police Office confiscated a total of PhP553,036.00 worth of illegal drugs. These achievements underscore the unwavering commitment of PRO-CAR in combating illegal drugs and ensuring community safety. Beyond law enforcement, PRO-CAR actively engages in community education programs and collaborates with local organizations to provide essential support services. By integrating enforcement with prevention and support initiatives, PRO-CAR aims to foster a drug-free and secure environment across the Cordillera Administrative Region.

The Police Regional Office Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO-CAR) has intensified its security measures to ensure a peaceful and orderly observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days (Undas) 2024. To bolster security, PRO-CAR will deploy 1,196 police officers to strategic locations, including cemeteries, memorial parks, columbaria, and churches. These officers will conduct foot and mobile patrols, maintain police visibility, and provide assistance to the public. Additionally, 197 Police Assistance Desks (PADs) will be established at various locations, such as cemeteries, bus terminals, malls, and recreational areas, to serve as assistance hubs for the public. To manage the expected influx of passengers and motorists, additional police personnel will be deployed to major thoroughfares and routes to implement traffic management and checkpoint operations. PRO-CAR has also organized Quick Response Teams and Reactionary Standby Support Forces to respond to emergencies promptly. To further enhance security efforts, PRO-CAR will be supported by 774 personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Bureau of Fire Protection, as well as 807 volunteers from various community organizations. Brig.Gen.David Peredo,Jr., regional director, urged the public to remain vigilant and follow implemented protocols inside the cemeteries. He emphasized the importance of travel safety, home security, and cemetery safety, particularly avoiding crowded areas, and encouraged the public to report any untoward incidents to the nearest PAD for immediate assistance. PRO-CAR assured the public that all police officers deployed are equipped and prepared to provide necessary assistance to ensure a safe and peaceful observance of Undas 2024.    

CAMP DANGWA, Benguet — A total of 25 individual missing persons were recorded from different areas in the Cordillera from January 1 to October 25, 2024, according to the Police Regional Office-Cordillera. Baguio City has the highest number, with seven cases, followed by Kalinga with five, Benguet and Ifugao with four each, Abra and Mountain. Province with two each, and Apayao with one case. Of the 25 people reported missing, 21 have been found and reunited with their families. At press time, four individuals remain missing: a 16-year-old boy in Apayao; a 16-year-old girl in Baguio City; an 81-year-old woman in Baguio City; and a 37-year-old man in Benguet. PRO-CAR is committed to fulfilling its responsibilities in solving missing person cases and the dedication of our officers serves as a testament to their unwavering efforts to solve public concerns, such as missing person cases . The public, especially parents and guardians, are encouraged to remain vigilant and monitor the whereabouts of their children and family members. In addition, the public is encouraged to immediately report any suspicious activity or possible case of missing persons to the nearest police station for immediate response. However, please note that any false reporting or dissemination of misleading information may lead to legal consequences, including potential charges for false accusations or perjury. Accuracy and honesty in all communications are essential to avoid adverse consequences.

In recognition of their exceptional contributions to the anti-criminality campaign of the PNP, five police officers of Police Regional Office Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO-CAR) were awarded during the traditional Monday Flag Raising Ceremony held at the Masigasig Grandstand, Camp Major Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet on October 28, 2024. The awarding ceremony was led by Brig.Gen.David Peredo,Jr., regional director, who presented the PNP medals to the awardees. Medalya ng Pambihirang Paglilingkod (PNP Special Service Medal) was awarded to Brig.Gen. Rogelio Raymundo,Jr., Deputy Regional Director for Administration, for his invaluable service as Officer-in-Charge of the Deputy Regional Director for Operations of PRO 12 from August 11 to September 19, 2022, and as the Deputy Regional Director for Operations in full capacity from September 20, 2022 to October 30, 2023. Meanwhile, Medalya ng Kagalingan (PNP Medal of Merit) was given to the to personnel of the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit for the successful buy-bust operation conducted in Quezon Proper, Baguio City on September 15, 2024, that resulted in the arrest of two high value drug personalities and the confiscation of 51.1521 grams of shabu valued at P347,834.00. Moreover, the same award was also given to Major Jim Cris Dagdag and PCpl Jefferson L Tiwaken of Benguet Police Provincial Office for the successful police response in Ambassador, Tublay, Benguet on August 23, 2024, that resulted in the arrest of a subject person and the confiscation of 27 pieces of dried marijuana leaves and stalks with fruiting tops in tubular form weighing 29,052.41 grams with a Standard Drug Price of P3,486,289.20.        

The Mt. Province Police Provincial Office personnel continuously monitor roads, rivers, and conduct road-clearing operations in response to Typhoon Kristine across various municipalities in the province To all road users, exercise extreme caution while traveling.  

The Police Regional Office Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO-CAR) struck a significant blow against the illegal drug trade in the region, seizing illegal drugs valued at PhP47,680,083.00 and arresting 12 drug personalities in a series of operations conducted from October 11 to 17, 2024. During the weeklong campaign, PRO-CAR conducted 51 anti-illegal drug operations across the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, and Kalinga, and in the city of Baguio, leading to the confiscation of 185,927 pieces of Fully Grown Marijuana Plants, 15,002 pieces of marijuana seedlings, 5.00 grams of marijuana seeds, 80,525.50 grams of dried marijuana leaves and fruiting tops, 3.00 milliliters of marijuana oil, and 34.10 grams of suspected shabu, with a combined estimated value of PhP47,680,083.00. Further, of the 12 drug personalities arrested, four were identified as High Value Individuals and eight were Street Level Individuals. The most significant operations occurred in Kalinga, where the Lumin-awa Cops of Kalinga Police Provincial Office (PPO) confiscated illegal drugs worth PhP27,931,750.00, and in Mountain Province, where the Inayan Cops of Mountain Province PPO seized illegal drugs valued at PhP14,618,005.00. Moreover, in Benguet, the Cabalyero Cops of Benguet PPO also had substantial success, eradicating PhP5,004,848.00 worth of marijuana plants, and in Baguio City, the Napino Cops of Baguio City Police Office confiscated a total of PhP104,236.00 worth of illegal drugs. These accomplishments highlight the commitment of PRO-CAR to eradicating illegal drugs and maintaining peace and order across the region.

As part of the continuous efforts of Police Regional Office Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO-CAR) in the campaign to end the Local Communist Armed Conflict, the Inayan Cops of Mountain Province Police Provincial Office discovered an abandoned Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) encampment in Besao, Mountain Province on October 15, 2024. Based on the report submitted to the Regional Director, PBGEN DAVID K PEREDO, JR, the abandoned CTG encampment was discovered by the joint operatives of 1st Mountain Province Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) and Besao Municipal Police Station along a forested area in Sitio Mapao, Brgy. Gueday, Besao while they were conducting a major Internal Security Operation in the area. From the said encampment, the operatives were able to recover ten pieces of Ammonium Nitrate–Fuel Oil in ice candy wrappers, six pieces Improvised Explosive Device (IED) containers, four pieces dynamite sticks, one IED grenade, subversive documents, and other personal belongings. After documentation, all the discovered IED materials were turned over to the Provincial Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Unit of Mountain Province, while the other recovered materials are under the custody of 1st Mountain Province PMFC for proper disposition. Meanwhile, the operating troops are continuously searching adjacent areas of the encampment for the possible recovery of other IEDs.