LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — About 100 college students learned about the bravery and sacrifices of Cordillera guerrillas who fought Japanese forces and helped liberate Benguet during World War II. The participants included students from the Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC), accompanied by their history faculty, and members of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines-Benguet Council. Researcher Betty Listino served as the resource speaker and shared accounts of iBenguet guerrillas who fought as members of the 66th Infantry Regiment of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines–Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL). Listino, one of the project leads of the documentary “Nowhere Yet Everywhere: Untold Stories of the 66th Infantry USAFIP-NL, highlighted the courage of the guerrillas, many of whom were as young as the students who attended the lecture when they took part in the war. Dr. Ermilinda Guinaran, daughter of a 66th Infantry Regiment member, also shared inspiring accounts of World War II, giving the participants a glimpse into the experiences and sacrifices of the wartime heroes. The Office of the Governor conducted the lecture at the Benguet Provincial Capitol on August 17, 2026, as part of the 81st Liberation Day celebration of the province. Governor Dr.Melchor D. Diclas emphasized the importance of helping young people understand Benguet history, particularly the sacrifices made by its people during World War II. Governor Diclas said the experiences of the wartime heroes of the province can provide the youth with lessons on courage, leadership, patriotism, sacrifice, and service to others. The activity also aimed to strengthen the appreciation of the students on the role of Benguet in the liberation of the province and encourage them to carry the values demonstrated by the wartime generation into their own communities.

BENGUET, Philippines – A total of 245 Benguet public school teachers are set to be trained as Mental Health First Responder-Coaches which aims create a stronger school-based support system for students and equipping educators to recognize and respond to mental health concerns. Governor Dr. Melchor Daguine Diclas said the program tet to begin this September, funded by the Provincial Government, will train the said permanent teachers as Mental Health First Responder-Coaches through the THOUGHT Mental Health First Responder-Coach Certification Program, which is a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and evidence-based program under the AnchorED 1M Movement. The Provincial Government of Benguet, through Governor Diclas, recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Education- Schools Division Office of Benguet (DepEd SDO-Benguet) and BRYCE Consulting Services, Inc. for the implementation of the Mental Health Capacity-Building Program for the identified teachers. Representing DepEd SDO-Benguet was Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Nover Keithly S. Mente, on behalf of Schools Division Superintendent Carmel F. Meris, while Annie Caguioa, AnchorED 1M Mission Partner, Lead–CAR, represented BRYCE Consulting Services, Inc. on behalf of Maria Bryce Fabro, Ph.D., CEO and President. Governor Diclas said the Provincial Government of Benguet has allocated ₱2 million for the program, underscoring its commitment to strengthening mental health support for learners. He emphasized that education must go beyond academic achievement and include the mental and emotional well-being of students. He added that the partnership with DepEd SDO-Benguet and the service provider will help foster safer and more caring schools where learners feel heard, understood, and supported. Also witnessing the signing were Lucio B. Alawas, Chief Education Supervisor of School Governance and Operations Division, and Aladin M. Dobinto, Chief Education Supervisor of Curriculum Implementation Division.

CORDILLERA, Philippines — The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Cordillera warned 106 barangays that were identified as landslide-prone areas that could potentially be affected by landslides due to the incessant rains experienced by the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat. The agency said that Benguet province has 24 landslide-prone areas in the towns of Atok, Bokod, Itogon, La Trinidad and Tublay, including Baguio City, while Kalinga has the largest concentration with 50 areas in Tabuk City, Pinukpuk and Rizal, particularly barangay Liwan. In Ifugao, there are 22 high-risk areas in the towns of Aguinaldo and Alfonso Lista, while in the town of Paracelis, there are seven barangays in Mountain Province and three barangays in Conner, Apayao. The MGB said that the two barangays are all located in mountainous areas and with the continuous rains experienced by the region for a month and with the continued rains in September, the risk of sudden landslides is high. In PAGASA’s August 30, 2-26 Weather Advisory No.30, the province of Benguet, including Baguio City, Ilocano Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Bataan, Zambales, Tarlac and Pampanga will experience Orange Rainfall from 100-200 mm, while some parts of the Cordillera will experience 5-100 mm rainfall. The MGB-Cordillera called on provincial, city, and municipal governments, and councils to strictly monitor landslide prone areas and conduct force evacuation of residents living in mountainous areas threatened by landslides.      

KABAYAN, Benguet, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Farm-to-Market Road Development Program (FMRDP), has conducted site validation activities for proposed infrastructure projects in Kabayan. On August 20, 2026, DA personnel led by Atty. Jennilyn Dawayan, Regional Executive Director, inspected the proposed NRJ Bana-ao–Besocol–Oleg–Aki Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) at Besocol, Ballay. The activity was joined by Mayor Rex Guzman Aquisan, members of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB), personnel from the Municipal Engineering Office, Municipal Planning and Development Office (MPDO), and the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMAg). A follow-up inspection was held on August 25, 2026 at Adaoay and Batan, covering the Adaoay–Batan FMR. This was jointly led by Atty. Dawayan and Acting Municipal Mayor Sario M. Minas, with the participation of some SB members, MEO, MPDO and OMAg personnel, further strengthening the partnership between DA and LGU Kabayan in advancing agricultural infrastructure. Meanwhile, the validation for the Soysoyan–Ballay–Tawangan–Lusod Proper FMR, particularly at Barangay Lusod, is scheduled to be completed once weather conditions permit, ensuring that all proposed sites are thoroughly assessed before project implementation. #KabayanLGU emphasized that these projects reflect the strong partnership between DA and the LGU in promoting rural development. The FMRDP initiatives are expected to improve farm-to-market connectivity, reduce transportation costs, and strengthen the livelihood of farmers across Kabayan’s barangays.

By Redji Cawis   CORDILLERA, Philippines  — Malacañang has declared September 11, 2026, a special non-working day holiday in the Cordillera Administrative Region for the Mount Data Peace Accord anniversary. This is in lieu of September 13, the actual anniversary, which falls on a Sunday. “It is but fitting and proper that the people of the Cordillera Administrative Region be given full opportunity to participate in the occasion and enjoy the celebration,”  Proclamation No. 1389, signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto by authority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., stated. The Regional Development Council, through RDC Chairperson Apayao Governor Elias Bulut Jr., had requested that Sept. 11 be declared as a special holiday in the region instead of Sept. 13 so that people can fully participate in the occasion. The day marks the 40th anniversary of the 1986 “Sipat” or the Mount Data Peace Accord, the first peace pact successfully entered into by the national government with the armed groups in the history of the peace process in the country. On Sept. 13, 1986, the Government of the Philippines led by President Corazon Aquino and the Cordillera Bodong Administration-Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA) led by rebel priest Conrado Balweg entered into a peace agreement at the Mount Data Hotel in Bauko, Mountain Province. The historic event ended the hostilities between the armed group and government forces in the region. The agreement paved the way for the inclusion of a provision in the 1987 Constitution for the establishment of an autonomous region in the Cordillera and the signing of Executive Order 220 on July 15, 1987, for the creation of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in preparation for its becoming an autonomous region. In his recent State of the Nation Address, President Marcos Jr. said that the government is now ready to formalize the historic completion of the peace pact with the CBA-CPLA. (JDP/RMC- PIA-CAR)

HUNGDUAN, Ifugao, Philippines — The Hungduan community in Ifugao province joyfully celebrated the Punnuk Festival 2026, the traditional post-harvest thanksgiving at the Nunhipukana River marking the end of the agricultural cycle with the iconic tug-of-war at the river, on August 22. Communities from the Barangays of Hapao, Baang, and Nunggulunan gathered, wearing their traditional Hungduan ethnic attire or following a red-and-white color motif at the Nunhipukana River, where the Hapao River and its tributary meet. Through their indigenous games called Guyyudan (Tug-of-War), participating barangays use pakid (wooden tools with hooks) to pull the kina-ag (a human-like figure made of rice stalks) in a fierce tug of war through the water. Not only do men show off their strength in tug of war, but women also participate in the fun game amidst the strong current of the river. This custom of the Hungduan people is traditionally practiced as a thank you for their abundant harvest, where most of their crops are organic rice and it is also the end of their agricultural cycle, as a rest and preparation for the next farming season.  

By Debbie E. Gasingan   CORDILLERA, Philippines — The National Irrigation Administration-Cordillera (NIA-CAR) continues to monitor and assess the effects of the recent tropical cyclones and the enhanced southwest monsoon on the irrigation systems across the region. NIA-CAR Regional Manager Engr. Ronilio Cervantes said they were able to record 253 hectares of agricultural land and 668 farmers affected by the damage. Most of the affected projects were communal irrigation systems (CIS) in Abra, Benguet, and Mountain Province. The estimated cost for repair is P12.3 million. “Wala po tayong Quick Response Fund kaya ang ginagawa natin, ito pong estimated cost na ito ay isina-submit natin sa NDRRMC at saka sa NIA Central Office para manghingi tayo ng pondo,” Cervantes said during an interview over Radyo Pilipinas Baguio on August 14, 2026. He said that affected CIS that can still be restored may be repaired using the operation subsidy provided to the irrigators’ association. “Dagitoy dadduma a mabalin pay nga mai-remedyo kasla kadagitoy nadadael a bassit a kanal, dagitoy na-slide, dalusan laeng… ken kabilan iti old pipes. Ngem nu dagitoy saan a maremedyoan, isuda ti saan a makamula ita nga cropping,” he said. (Those with little damages can be remedied like putting old pipes. But those that cannot be remedied will not be planted to this cropping.) Meanwhile, Cervantes said that the continuous rains have increased water levels in rivers, helping replenish water sources and provide relief to areas affected by the El Niño phenomenon including Apayao, Kalinga and Ifugao. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Philippines – The Sangguniang Bayan has declared the capital town of Benguet province a State of Calamity, due to the extensive damage caused by the recent typhoons Luis, Maymay, habagat and the impact of African Swine Infection in the town of La Trinidad. By virtue of Resolution No.374-2026, on August 18, it was noted that La Trinidad recorded 1,558.4 millimeters of rain from August 3 to August 11, from the recent typhoons and habagat, which resulted in massive landslides, killing two people and widespread destruction to critical public infrastructure, severely damaging major thoroughfares, isolating several communities and severely hindering emergency response, relief operations and basic mobility. The agricultural sector, which serves as the economic backbone and primary livelihood of the municipality, sustained losses, with damages reported to residential houses, agricultural facilities, greenhouses, irrigation canals and vital slope protection systems. Aside from farms there are 62 reported dead pigs due to ASF that resulted in depopulation of 221 pigs within the infected areas amounting to P464,000.00. In the report of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, there is an initial P58 million worth of damages from public infrastructure (roads, network, footpath, slope protection, educational facilities, drainage systems), private infrastructure, crop damages, machineries and facilities and livestock. Mayor Roderick Awingan said the declaration of a State of Calamity means the municipality has met the criteria for a calamity declaration, including damage to critical infrastructure and widespread agricultural losses, and is based on the recommendation of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. The declaration allows the municipal government to use its P13-million Quick Response Fund for immediate relief, emergency repairs and assistance to affected residents. Awingan said the municipality will also seek additional funds from national government agencies to fund the remaining rehabilitation efforts.                

TABUK CITY, KALINGA, Philippines – Water discharge at the Upper Chico River Irrigation System (UCRIS) has improved following the recent and successive rains, particularly within the headwaters and tributary watersheds of the Chico River. The prolonged lack of sufficient rainfall in June and July caused the water discharge at the UCRIS intake dam to fall below the level required to support the system’s target service area, resulting in water shortages at the onset of the cropping season. The limited water supply caused some delays in land preparation and planting activities; however, the target irrigated area for the current wet cropping season has been maintained. As of today, UCRIS has achieved its target irrigated area of 16,563 hectares for the wet crop season. Of this area, approximately 9,846 hectares have already been planted, while the remaining areas are currently undergoing land preparation. Despite the improved water supply, farmers are urged to remain vigilant and prepare for the possible impacts of the El Niño phenomenon, which is forecast to intensify during the last quarter of 2026 and may persist into early 2027. Farmers are encouraged to closely monitor weather and water availability advisories and adopt appropriate water-saving and farm management practices to help minimize potential impacts on their crops. Chico River traces its headwaters in Mount Data, Bauko, Sabangan, and Bontoc of Mountain Province as well as some parts of Benguet and Ifugao. UCRIS serves areas in Tabuk and Pinukpuk, Kalinga, and Quezon and Mallig, Isabela.