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.      

The Department of Health – CAR, through its Equity Programs in Health, warmly invites Rural Health Units and Municipal Health Offices from 3rd to 5th class municipalities across the region to submit proposals for Project AGSHAN, an initiative that strengthens local health systems while directly supporting communities that need it most. Selected municipalities will receive financial assistance amounting to P750,000.00, distributed over a three-year implementation period, to support community-based health initiatives in Underserved and Unserved Communities (UUCs). The program aims to enhance service delivery, strengthen health promotion, and build sustainable, culturally responsive primary care systems. Project proposals must address actual community health needs and align with national and regional priorities. Each proposal should highlight nutrition and at least three additional priority areas such as immunization, WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene), maternal health, communicable diseases (e.g., STI/HIV, tuberculosis), mental health, road safety, and non-communicable diseases (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, cancer). Official UUC list, eligibility, and guidelines are in the comment section: Submit proposals via email: ipgidacordillera@caro.doh.gov.ph Deadline of submission: April 10, 2026 Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in stronger primary care, empower communities, and bring health services closer to even the most remote barangays.   Through committed local leadership and community-driven solutions, Project AGSHAN continues to improve health outcomes where they matter most.

IFUGAO, Philippines — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has turned over P208,000 worth of farm machinery and equipment to a farmers’ organization in Barangay Aduyongan here, aiming to improve productivity and strengthen community-based agriculture. The assistance was granted on March 26 to the Aduyongan Agrarian Reform Farmers Organization (ARFO), an agrarian reform beneficiaries’ group supported by the DAR Provincial Office of Ifugao, led by Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Elpidio C. Santos. Funded under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Program (CRFPSP) – Sustainable Livelihood Support for Disaster-Affected Areas (SLSDAA), the package includes two rotavators, two power sprayers, two water pumps, three brush cutters, and one pelletizer machine. Distributed equipment is expected to ease manual labor, speed up farm operations, and increase crop yields among members. “Dagituy nga naited ket arapaap tayo nga maaddaan iti gamit tapno iti kasta ket adda usaren tayo nga agtalon. Ket tatta nga addan, ikkan tayo kuma iti importansya dagituy nga equipment. Sapayla kuma ta babaen agituy nga naited nga FMEs ket ag-increase iti produksyon ti ani tayo nga farmers. Tulungan tayo daytuy nga organization tayo tapno ag thrive ken madi nga ag-fail,” said Barangay Captain Jose Balajo. thanked DAR for the support, saying the equipment had long been a goal of the organization. Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer Leonor C. Bascos reminded the group that government assistance comes with responsibility, stressing the need to properly manage and maintain the equipment. She warned that failure to use the equipment effectively could lead to its reassignment to other beneficiaries. An orientation on the proper use of the machinery was conducted following the turnover to promote sustainability and accountability among members. A memorandum and trust agreement was also signed to formalize the responsibilities of both DAR and the farmers’ group in the use and safekeeping of the equipment. The turnover was witnessed by members of the community, including PARCCOM representatives.  

CORDILLERA, Philippines — The regionwide implementation of intensified anti-illegal drug operations by the Police Regional Office Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO CAR) resulted in the seizure of more than P31.9 million worth of illegal drugs and the arrest of nine drug personalities during a weeklong operation conducted from March 23 to 29, 2026. According to reports from the Regional Operations Division of PRO CAR, a total of 34 anti-illegal drug operations were carried out across the region. These included 27 marijuana eradication operations, three buy-bust operations, and four implementations of search warrants. As a result of these operations, 123,405 fully grown marijuana plants were destroyed, along with 57,735 grams of dried marijuana leaves and fruiting tops, while 55.68 grams of shabu were confiscated, with an overall Standard Drug Price of PhP31,987,824.00. In addition, the operations led to the arrest of nine drug personalities, all listed as Street Level Individuals (SLIs). They are now facing charges for violations of Republic Act No. 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The most significant accomplishments were recorded in Benguet, where the Benguet Police Provincial Office (PPO) successfully destroyed marijuana plants amounting to PhP25,109,200.00, and in Kalinga, where the Kalinga PPO destroyed PhP6,500,000.00 worth of marijuana. Further, in Baguio City, the Baguio City Police Office confiscated suspected shabu worth of PhP326,120.00 and apprehended seven SLIs, and in Abra, the Abra PPO seized PhP30,328.00 worth of suspected shabu and arrested one SLI. Meanwhile, in Apayao, the Apayao PPO arrested one SLI and confiscated suspected shabu amounting to PhP2,176.00.