By Iryll Sicnao TABUK CITY, Kalinga, Philippines — The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Mel Senen S. Sarmiento led the groundbreaking for two road projects worth P65 million on September 29, 2026, in Kalinga, seen to boost local development in several communities. The P25-million road improvement project in Barangay Agbannawag, Tabuk City, and the P40-million construction of the Awichon, Dangoy to Upper Uma Road (Phase II) in the municipality of Lubuagan are expected to make travel safer and more comfortable for residents, ease the transport of agricultural products, and improve access to essential services. OPAPRU’s Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program, a flagship initiative to bring progress, development, and lasting peace to remote, conflict-affected areas in the country, funded the projects. “Kami sa Barangay Agbannawag, nagpapasalamat kasi isa ito sa aming ipinagdarasal. Salamat OPAPRU. We promise na babantayan namin ito,” said Agbannawag Punong Barangay Raymundo Alwing. “We are grateful for the continuous support given to the municipality of Lubuagan. Your assistance has strengthened our capacity to address our constituents’ needs. We hope that this partnership will continue and more programs, projects and development will reach our municipality in the years ahead,” said Lubuagan Mayor Joel B. Tagaotao. Sarmiento affirmed the agency’s support for initiatives in Kalinga to improve the lives of residents in vulnerable communities. During the groundbreaking ceremony, the Tabuk City government adopted Sarmiento as a son of the city and conferred upon him the Kalinga native name ‘Konchar’ after a highly respected Bodong (peace pact) holder and peace advocate. The honor is in recognition of Sarmiento’s leadership and support for the implementation of vital socio-economic projects and peacebuilding initiatives that are contributing to the stability, progress, and development of Tabuk City. (JDP/IOS-PIA CAR, Kalinga)                        

ITOGON, Benguet, Philippines — Seven miners suspected of dying from gas poisoning were found inside a tunnel portal in Sitio Dontog, Barangay Ampucao, Itogon, Benguet, on September 30. It was learned that at around 11:00 a.m. on October 1, response teams retrieved all seven individuals from the tunnel, all of whom were dead. According to the report, six of the deceased were residents of Barangay Bana-ao, Tadian, Mountain Province. The victims were identified as Bryan Campoas Madrid, 18; Kenjie Ingaan Mangayen, 19; Orviel Kiwingan Valdez, 22; Crisanto Ingaan Gapacan Jr., 19; Hill Limong Padon, 25, and Alvin Lazaro Daniel, 21. The seventh deceased was identified as Leonardo Bacuteng Pino, 62, a native of Cagayan Valley. The remains of the six deceased were immediately returned to their respective families, after the immediate response of the relatives from Mt. Province. The local government of Itogon extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. The Itogon MPS is now conducting a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause and circumstances surrounding the incident.

By Rod Asurin   PARACELIS, Mountain Province, Philippines — For residents of Barangay Anonat in Paracelis, Mountain Province, the newly completed P50-million Mulliang-Carupinan farm-to-market road (FMR) has eased long-standing difficulties in transporting farm products and accessing schools and government services. “Dito sa aming lugar noong araw, mahirap ang buhay namin. Nahihirapan kaming ilabas ang mga produkto namin. Sobrang hirap po ang buhay namin noong wala pa pong daanan. Ngayong nagkaroon po kami ng daan, malaking tulong po sa amin,” said Rubi Ann Padilla, a resident of Sitio Mulliang in Anonat. Padilla thanked the government for the project and hopes that more development projects would reach their community. “Sobrang pasasalamat po namin sa government. Ngayon lang namin naranasan ito, kasi matagal nang walang kalsada at nahihirapan lalo na po mga kabataan na pumupunta sa school. Maraming salamat kay President Bongbong Marcos at sana madagdagan po ang project dito po sa lugar namin,” she said. Funded under the 2025 Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), the Mulliang-Carupian project was implemented by the local government unit of Paracelis. OPAPRU Secretary Mel Senen S. Sarmiento recently led the inauguration of this completed FMR, and the groundbreaking of two FMR projects in Paracelis worth P95 million. These projects are the P80-million Improvement of the Cauayan-Bagabag-Buringal Proper FMR Phase 1 in Barangay Buringal and the P15-million Construction of the Pandan-Marallag FMR Phase 1 in Barangay Bacarri. The new roads are expected to help farmers transport their produce and improve residents’ access to schools, government services, and other essential facilities. In Buringal, residents said the new road project could similarly address long-standing transportation difficulties. “Palalo ti rigat mi gapu iti kaawan iti kalsada. Manipud kinaubing ko inggana tadta nga nagsenior nak, talaga nga nariknak ti kinarigat mi ditoy gapu iti kinaawan ti kalsada,” said Paquito Balicnog, a resident of Barangay Buringal. (Our hardships are extreme due to the lack of a road. From my childhood until now that I have become a senior citizen, I have truly felt our struggles here because of the absence of road.) Balicnog said the community produces coffee, corn, bananas and coconuts, but poor road conditions make it difficult to transport their products. “Ammuyu met ti produkto mi ditoy—kape, mais, saba ken inyog ngem gapu iti kinarigat ti dalan, haan mi ngay nga mailuslusot dagitoy nga produkto mi ta awan ti napintas nga dalan mi, sunga agyaman kami unay ta adda daytoy nga proyekto,” he said. (Our products here are coffee, corn, banana, and coconut. But because of the difficult road conditions, we cannot easily transport our goods out. That is why we are very thankful for this project.) Paracelis Mayor Marcos G. Ayangwa thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and OPAPRU for the infrastructure projects. He emphasized that ‘these farm-to-market roads are more than just infrastructure, as they will provide easier access for farmers to bring their produce to the market, ensure safe travel for students, and connect isolated communities to essential government services.’ Sarmiento, meanwhile, reaffirmed the national government’s commitment to bringing the dividends of peace to geographically isolated communities through development projects. The Paracelis projects formed part of the P657M in PAMANA allocations for the nine municipalities of Mountain Province this 2026. The province-wide project turnover and groundbreaking activities coincided with the 40th anniversary of the Cordillera “Sipat” Peace Accord. (JDP/RGA-PIA CAR with reports from LGU Paracelis)            

Police Brig. Gen. Noel Vallo underscored the importance of strong partnerships among government institutions, the police, communities and civil society in building safer and better communities during his message at the Monday flag-raising ceremony in Baguio City. Vallo expressed his appreciation to the City Government of Baguio for the invitation and opportunity to address city officials, employees, police personnel and other public servants. He described his return to the Cordillera as both a professional honor and a deeply personal experience, recalling that the region was his first assignment more than three decades ago as a young police officer. “My first assignment here taught me lifelong lessons,” Vallo said, emphasizing that policing goes beyond enforcing laws. He said effective policing also involves understanding people, earning their trust, being present when needed, and respecting the unique character and aspirations of each community. Vallo later returned to the Cordillera for a second tour of duty as chief of the Regional Logistics and Research and Development Division. He now serves as Regional Director of the Police Regional Office Cordillera. Looking at the region today, Vallo noted that communities have grown while the police force has undergone modernization through improved technology, equipment and training. However, he said some of the challenges he encountered during his early years in the region continue to emerge in new forms. For Vallo, this underscores the continuing nature of public service and the responsibility of every generation to build on the work of those who came before them. “Our responsibility is not to solve everything in our lifetime, but to leave things better than we found them,” he said. Vallo said his return to the Cordillera is an opportunity not only to reflect on his more than 30 years of police service but also to contribute the experience he has gained from various assignments, communities and challenges. He stressed, however, that public service cannot be carried out by the police alone. “The work of public service has never been the responsibility of the police alone,” Vallo said, pointing to the need for cooperation among government, communities, civil society and other institutions. He described the partnership between the police and the City Government of Baguio as particularly important, noting that the local government understands the needs and concerns of the community while the police are entrusted with maintaining peace and order. According to Vallo, stronger cooperation allows government institutions to better understand problems, respond more effectively and deliver more coordinated and meaningful services. He also emphasized that partnerships should be founded not only on coordination but on mutual respect, trust and accountability. “Because at the end of the day, the true measure of our partnership is not simply how well our institutions coordinate. It is how our people experience government service,” Vallo said. He stressed that people should feel that they have a government and police force they can rely on—one that is willing to listen, help and remain present in serving the community. Vallo said this kind of public service should be the legacy of those currently entrusted with serving the public. He noted that decisions made, improvements introduced and examples set today can benefit future generations, even if those who make the changes may not see the full results of their efforts. As he reflected on his return to the place where his police journey began, Vallo described public service as a continuing journey—one that begins with ideals, develops through experience and ultimately brings public servants back to those ideals with a deeper understanding of what it means to serve. (Baguio-PIO)  

SAGADA. Mountain Province, Philippines – Alert personnel of the Police Regional Office Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO CAR) arrested a member of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) facing charges of Murder and Attempted Murder in a law enforcement operation conducted in Barangay Tanulong,Sagada, Mountain Province on September 24. PBGen. Noel Vallo, regional director, said the arrested suspect, a 34-year-old male, was identified as a former Squad Leader of the disbanded Kilusang Larangang Gerilya (KLG) Montes/Leonardo Pacsi Command. He is also listed in the PNP Periodic Status Report Threat Groups (PSRTG) Watchlist for the 4th Quarter of 2020. According to Vallo, the suspect was arrested by virtue of warrants of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 36, Bontoc, Mountain Province, for Murder, with no recommended bail, and Attempted Murder, with a recommended bail of PhP120,000.00. The operation was led by the 1st Mountain Province Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) and Sagada Municipal Police Station, in collaboration with the 2nd Mountain Province PMFC, Provincial Intelligence Unit, Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, and Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Unit of the Mountain Province Police Provincial Office, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15, and the Regional Intelligence Division of PRO CAR. The successful arrest demonstrates the PNP’s continued dedication and coordinated police operations under the PNP Focused Agenda, particularly the Enhanced Managing Police Operations, in support of public safety and the continued maintenance of peace and order in the Cordillera.        

By Clienteast Van Totanes   BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Cordillera recently released a total of 17, 358, 707.29 in wages to 2,443 beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program in Baguio City and two provinces. Baguio City had 536 beneficiaries who received P3,971,057.70 in wages while Benguet recorded 736 beneficiaries with P5,570,754.59 in wage assistance. Mountain Province had 1,171 beneficiaries who received P7,816,895.00 in wages. Beneficiaries are engaged in community-based work for a minimum of 10 days and a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature and scope of the work. TUPAD is a community-based assistance program that provides temporary employment to displaced, underemployed, and seasonal workers, while supporting community activities that benefit local residents. It enables beneficiaries to contribute directly to the improvement and maintenance of public spaces and community facilities while receiving temporary employment. In Baguio City, TUPAD beneficiaries were among those engaged in cleaning classrooms and canals in barangay Lucban. This helped improve sanitation and the learning environment for learners. “Salamat sa DOLE kasi nakuha kami sa TUPAD para malinis ang classrooms, buong classrooms ng Lucban. Malaking tulong din sa kanila na naano kami sa TUPAD,” said beneficiary Eddielyn Chavente. Fellow beneficiary Josie Wiling said the work also helped address sanitation concerns in the community. “Nalinisan dagiti eskwelahan, naikkat dagiyay lamok, dengue, santo dagiyay kanal, nalinisan” (Schools and canals were cleaned helping remove mosquito breeding areas and reduce potential dengue risks), Wiling said. For Wiling, the temporary employment also provided additional income that could be used for the family’s daily needs. “Uray nu kas-kas-ano ket adda ti igatang mi ti bagas ken sida. Mayat ta adda ti kastoy nga TUPAD, ta dakami nga senior ket at least ket adda maitulong mi ijay anak mi uray man jay igatang mi ti asukar, igatang mi ti bassit nga mantika, makatulong kami ijay pamilya mi,” [The program is a big help especially for senior citizens, as the wage we earn  can augment the family’s needs such as rice, sugar, cooking oil, and other basic necessities.] she added. (JDP/CVBT-PIA CAR)  

By Debbie E. Gasingan BAGUIO CITY, Phi;ippines — Department of Agriculture-Cordillera (DA-CAR) is strengthening direct market linkages for Benguet farmers, providing them with additional outlets for their produce and helping reduce the costs of bringing their harvest to trading centers. During the pilot delivery on Sept. 15, 2026, more than 10 tons of potatoes were bought by an institutional buyer from Manila directly from the farming communities in Mankayan, Benguet. About 10 farmer cooperatives and associations from Mankayan and Buguias participated in the activity facilitated by the DA-CAR Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD). Jean B. Mayos, chief of the Marketing Development Section of DA-CAR-AMAD, said the initiative started with a market-matching meeting in July 2026. “Pilot delivery pa lang ito, pero umabot na sa 10 tonelada ang na-deliver na patatas. Dalawang beses kada linggo naman ang pagkuha ng buyer sa mga produkto ng ating mga farmer,” she said. She said the direct pickup arrangement has helped farmers avoid the added expense and effort of bringing their harvest to trading centers. Wegina Lodias, a member of the Bosigan Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Mankayan, said the initiative has been helpful to their group. “Salamat sa DA-CAR dahil nandiyan sila at patuloy na sumusuporta sa amin, lalo na sa market linkage na direktang nag-uugnay sa farmer at buyer,” she said. Narcisa Paleng of the Upper Daligdig Farmer Association in Buguias, also said that buyers going directly to their community have made selling their produce more convenient. “Dahil sa tulong ng DA-CAR AMAD, dumating dito sa amin ang buyer na ito. At least hindi na kami naaabala sa pagdadala ng gulay namin sa bagsakan. Sana ay magpatuloy ang ating kolaborasyon,” she said. DA-CAR said the activity remains in the pilot stage and will be used to assess the delivery process, product quality, volume, pricing, and the farmer groups’ capacity to provide a consistent supply. Other Benguet vegetables, including carrots, cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, and other highland crops, could also be included in succeeding market-linking activities, depending on buyer demand and requirements. (JDP/RGA-PIA CAR, with reports from DA-CAR)        

By Marcelo B. Lihgawon   LAMUT, Ifugao, Philippines — Communities in two municipalities in the province of Ifugao will now enjoy better mobility and access to services, and may look forward to better economic opportunities, with the completion of three access road projects under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program of the national government. Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento and Ifugao Governor Jerry U. Dalipog led the formal turnover of the Lebeng-Cupang and Liwon-Ballukuk access roads (Phase 1) in Asipulo and the Pieza-Ambasa-Magulon Farm-to-Market Road concreting project in Lamut to the beneficiary communities on Sept. 4. The road improvement projects had a combined cost of P67 million, sourced from PAMANA’s Fiscal Year 2025 funds. Sarmiento underscored the importance of the projects in improving access and mobility of the people, opening up economic opportunities for beneficiary communities, and fostering lasting peace and inclusive growth across the province. Secretary Sarmiento, together with other government officials, led the ribbon-cutting ceremony in Asipulo town, marking the completion and formal turnover of the projects to beneficiary communities in Asipulo and Lamut. “Congratulations to the provincial leadership, implementing partners and local residents for supporting the projects’ implementation,” he said. Liwon Punong Barangay Florencio Nangimlo and Namal Punong Barangay Grace Tayaban expressed their appreciation to OPAPRU, the provincial and municipal local government units and other government agencies for their support in the implementation of the projects. “Today is very meaningful to us because our community has finally received the newly constructed infrastructure facility, which is a great help to us. We accept this as a symbol of our commitment and unity with our partners,” Tayaban said. She emphasized that the project demonstrates the government’s commitment to bringing development closer to the people and responding to the needs of communities at the grassroots level. Nangimlo said the improvement of the Lebeng-Cupang and Liwon-Ballukuk access roads has brought peace, progress, and hope to residents. Aside from the turnover of these completed projects, Sarmiento also led the groundbreaking of some PAMANA projects in Ifugao, funded under its 2026 funds (JDP/MBL- PIA CAR, Ifugao)  

SN Aboitiz Power-Magat (SNAP-Magat) underscored the importance of turning commitments into tangible and lasting impact during its annual Host Communities’ Forum (HCF), held on September 8 in Banaue, Ifugao, and September 9 in Santiago City, Isabela, with the theme “Transforming Commitments into Meaningful Change.” The two-day forum brought together around 153 representatives from local government units from its host communities in Ifugao, Isabela, and Nueva Vizcaya. In his keynote address, SNAP General Manager and Group Chief Executive Daniel Icasiano emphasized that the real measure to fulfilling commitments is whether something becomes meaningfully different for people, and whether that difference lasts. “Transformation is not what we announce. It is what is still different five years after we leave the room,” he said. He cited SNAP-Magat’s Bridging Gaps in Higher Education through Tertiary Scholarships (BRIGHTS) and Partnership in Uplifting Upland Natural Resources, Livelihoods and Assets (PUNLA) programs as examples of initiatives that translate commitments into long-term benefits for communities. Through BRIGHTS, SNAP-Magat has admitted 71 scholars and produced 37 graduates, with 23 scholars currently enrolled for School Year 2026–2027. Meanwhile, PUNLA has supported watershed and environmental rehabilitation efforts in Ifugao. From 2019 to 2024, the program rehabilitated and restored 34.3 hectares of rice terraces, reforested and enriched 100.44 hectares of forest areas, and established five hectares of agroforestry farms, helping mitigate an estimated 6,722 tons of soil erosion across the province. Under PUNLA-Upper Magat Phase 2, an additional six hectares of rice terraces in Banaue are being restored, with the 2025–2027 program targeting 42.5 hectares of muyongs in Banaue, 42 hectares of rice terraces in Mayoyao and Hingyon, and the conservation of the Mt. Binahagan Micro Watershed in Lagawe. “Because our ecosystems and communities are so deeply intertwined with your operations, our partnership cannot afford to be stagnant. We must actively work to transform our shared commitment into lasting, visible, and meaningful change for our people,” said Ms. Rosemarie Lindawan, Chief Administrative Officer, speaking on behalf of Ifugao province governor Hon. Jerry Dalipog. “We pledge to maintain a stable and supportive environment for your operations.” Provincial Administrator of Nueva Vizcaya King Webster Balaw-ing said, “Sa ngalan ng ating butihing gobyerno ng Nueva Vizcaya, gusto ko pong iparating ang pasasalamat sa SNAP-Magat, sa partnership na nabuo with the provincial government, the component municipalities, and the component barangays of Nueva Vizcaya. (On behalf of our good provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya, I would like to extend our gratitude to SNAP-Magat, for the partnership formed with the provincial government, the component municipalities, and the component barangays of Nueva Vizcaya.) We commend SNAP for taking cognizance of their commitments and responsibilities to the communities.” Municipality of Ramon Vice Mayor Dennis Jon Dela Cruz said, “In 19 years of partnership, talagang naramdaman po ang pagbabago sa bayan, with the help of, of course, the presence of SN Aboitiz in our municipality. Maraming salamat sa mga nangyari na, sa mga kasalukuyang nangyayari, at sa mga susunod na ibibigay pa. (In 19 years of partnership, we truly felt the change in our town, with the help of, of course, the presence of SN Aboitiz in our municipality. Thank you very much for everything that has happened, everything that is currently happening, and everything still to come.)” The HCF reaffirmed SNAP-Magat’s continued partnership with its host communities and local stakeholders in advancing initiatives that create lasting change in the communities where it operates.#     \