Benguet Representative Eric Go Yap extends his deepest sympathies to the bereaved families of the residents in Buguias and Kabayan who perished following landslides caused by Typhoon ‘Uwan’s heavy rainfall. The Congressman’s office is also currently coordinating relief and assistance efforts for the affected communities.    

BAGUIO CITY – Super Typhoon Uwan hit the Cordillera region, causing serious damage to lives and properties, which is now the focus of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Cordillera. According to the DSWD-Cordillera report on November 13, 43,812 families or 149,041 individuals from 826 hard-hit barangays were affected by the typhoon, which is now the focus of the agency’s attention. It was also recorded that 234 households were totally damaged and ,353 were partially damaged, and currently 234 families or 718 individuals are staying in various evacuation centers. An initial P10,989,065.55 worth of humanitarian assistance from DSWD, LGU’s, NGOs and other partners has been distributed to families affected by the typhoon. A total of 54,354 family food packs; 19,985 non-food items and 8, 440 ready to eat food have also been distributed in various provinces to be distributed to remote barangays that were severely affected by the typhoon. On November 12, Regional Director Maria Catbagan-Aplaten personally led the distribution of Family Food Packs and Non-Food Items by the DSWD Field Office CAR to affected families in Lagawe, Ifugao. The goal is to immediately alleviate the hardship of those affected and ensure that they have enough food and basic necessities as they gradually recover from the damage caused by the calamity. In collaboration with personnel from the Bureau of Fire and Protection, relief supplies were successfully delivered to families and individuals who were displaced by the storm. Currently, 1,783 families or 5,776 individuals have been affected throughout the province of Ifugao. (Zaldy Comanda)    

LUBUAGAN, Kalinga, Philippines.-Three of the four individuals buried in the landslide at Barangay Western Uma, Lubuagan have been recovered, on November 11. The  search and retrieval operations for the remaining victim Barangay Kagawad Redento Tinio resume on November 12. Municipal Administrator Atty. James Tagaotao confirmed that the bodies of Rix Magwin,Ricardo Magwin, and Aquino Magwin have been found and turned over to their families. According to Atty. Tagaotao, during heavy rains brought by typhoon Uwan, ten  individuals went to a housebto retrieve belongings when the landslide struck. Six managed to escape, while four were trapped beneath the debris. Rescue teams reported that Kagawad Tinio’s body was sighted near the steep edge of the slope, which is currently difficult to access. As a precaution, the Barangay Captain of Western Uma and the LGU of Lubuagan have requested the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) to deploy a river watch in case the body is carried downstream. Search and retrieval operations are being jointly conducted by the BLGU Western Uma, Lubuagan MDRRMO, Mayor’s Office, 103rd Infantry Battalion, PNP Lubuagan, BFP Lubuagan, 2nd KPMFC and members of the local community. Currently, an initial 25 people have died in landslides in various areas in the Cordillera region, caused by Typhoon Uwan. Meanwhile, Mayor Jaedicke Rhosd Dagadag said five barangays in Upper Tanudan, Kalinga remain isolated following the destructive onslaught of Super Typhoon Uwan on Sunday, November 9, which triggered landslides, flooded rice fields, damaged bridges, and swept away classrooms in the municipality.  

CORDILLERA REGION, Philippines – Sixteen people were killed, while two are missing, in landslides triggered by strong winds and rains after Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung-wong) swept through the Cordillera region, local officials said on November 11. The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Barlig (MDRRMO-Barlig) in Mountain Province reported that a father and son died, while another was injured, after a landslide struck their house at around 6:00 a.m. in Sitio Paranchoy, Barangay Latang, Barlig, Mt. Province, on November 10. The victim, a 57-year-old man, was declared dead on arrival at the Barlig District Hospital, while his 24-year-old son died before being transferred to the Bontoc General Hospital. His other son, a 22-year-old man, is currently recovering. Three people were reported dead in a landslide in Kalinga province, while two others are missing from the scene of the incident, identified as Redento Tino and Ricardo Magwin in Barangay Western Uma, Lubuagan town. Ifugao reported eight deaths, including two in the Batad Rice Terraces of Banaue, after a large portion of the trail and terrace walls collapsed, while a farmer remained in his plantation during the storm, but a landslide buried his hut in Tinoc, Ifugao, on November 9. Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas reported that three people died in separate landslide incidents on November 10, including two in the town of Buguias and one in Kabayan. Authorities continue to call for caution and to evacuate landslide-prone areas, as rains and winds continue to be experienced in the region.          

    BENGUET, Philippines — The Province of Benguet was recognized as one of the Top Performing Local Government Units (LGUs) in the country for revenue generation during the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) 38th Anniversary Stakeholders’ Recognition held on November 5, 2025, at the SMX Convention Center, Aura, Taguig City.r Governor Dr. Melchor Diclas rceived the Plaque of Recognition on behalf of the Province for ranking 10th nationwide in the Ratio of Local Source Revenues to Total Current Operating Income for Fiscal Year 2024, with a ratio of 29.56 percent. Governor Diclas was joined by Provincial Treasurer Imelda Macanes and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Regional Director Mary Lou G. Gamboa during the awarding ceremony. The plaque was presented by BLGF Executive Director Consolacion Q. Agcaoili and officials of the Department of Finance (DOF). The award was signed by Executive Director Agcaoili and Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto under BLGF Memorandum Circular No. 17-2025, titled “Recognition of Top Performing LGUs in Strengthening Local Government Finance for Fiscal Year 2024.” According to Wilfredo V. Vedan III, Acting Chief of the BLGF, the recognition aims to encourage LGUs to continuously enhance their local revenue generation through effective and innovative collection strategies aligned with the Local Government Code and relevant financial regulations. Aside from the ratio of local collections to total current operating income, other indicators are the collection of revenues from local sources, the growth in local collections, and the total current operating expenditures per capita. These indicators help identify LGUs that are financially disciplined, less dependent on national government transfers, and committed to fiscal sustainability. The Province has consistently ranked among the country’s top-performing LGUs in local revenue performance, placing Top 2 for Year-on-Year Growth Rate of Locally Sourced Revenue for FY 2020–2021, Top 7 for FY 2019–2020, and 4th place for Yearly Growth of Local Source Revenues for FY 2022. Governor Diclas expressed his gratitude to all officials and employees of the Provincial Government of Benguet, especially the Provincial Treasury Office, as well as municipal treasurers, partner agencies, and the people of Benguet for their collective effort.

LUNA, Apayao, Philippines – Mayor Januario S. Garde emphasized the need to establish more post-harvest facilities to support local farmers in handling their agricultural produce. This was a message of Mayor Garde, during he flag-raising ceremony earltier this November 3.“I appreciate the numerous and diverse pre-harvest interventions provided to our local farmers to assist them with their farm inputs. However, I am concerned about what happens next. Masapol tayo kuma ti ad-adu pay nga post-harvest facilities tapno haan da nga mapilitan dagiti mannalon nga agilako dagiti apit da iti nalaka a presyo (We need more post-harvest facilities so that farmers won’t be forced to sell their harvest at low prices),” the mayor underscored. To recall, this has been one of the major commitments of Mayor Garde’s administration — to address and ease the challenges faced by farmers in the municipality. “We need to strategize and carefully study all these plans so we can properly prioritize the welfare of our farmers,” he added.

By Stephanie Nicole Peligman   MANKAYAN, Benguet, Philippines – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Cordillera State Institute of Technical Education (TESDA CSITE) and Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company (LCMC) reaffirmed their commitment to enhance industry-based technical training during a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing ceremony held on October 24, 2025, at the Labaan Executive House in Lepanto, Mankayan, Benguet. The event brought together key officials and representatives from both institutions. Present as witnesses were TESDA CSITE Executive Director Daisy C. Bungallon, TESDA CSITE Main Campus Administrator Melita D. Pinic, LCMC Administrative Services Group Manager Rolando D. Ursua, and LCMC Human Resource Department Head Nelson L. Baguya II, along with other department heads and representatives from both sides. The MOA bears the names of the authorized representatives of both institutions and was formalized with the support of those who attended the ceremony. The partnership establishes a shared commitment to advance skills training, competency assessment, Supervised Industry Learning (SIL), and employment facilitation for trainees and graduates in priority technical and trade sectors. These include Metals and Engineering, Construction Trades, Automotive Trades, Electrical Trades, and Welding Trades. The collaboration is also expected to strengthen the Supervised Industry Learning component of TESDA diploma programs by providing learners with hands-on experience that reflects the needs of the current labor market. Under the terms of the agreement, TESDA CSITE will take the lead in developing and registering competency-based training programs, conducting assessments, and ensuring learner welfare and insurance coverage throughout the training period. LCMC, on the other hand, will provide training venues and facilities and support in-plant training through the provision of meals, accommodations, and designated coordinators to supervise industry immersion activities. The three-year agreement represents a continuing partnership between the government and private sector to align technical-vocational education and training (TVET) with industry requirements, thereby improving employability and productivity among workers in the Cordillera region.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority – Cordillera State Institute of Technical Education (TESDA-CSITE) has reaffirmed its growing reputation as a regional leader in technical-vocational training through the successful completion of the Skills Training on Advanced Computer CNC Programming for Lathe Operations for Bhutan TVET Trainers. Held from October 13 to 24, 2025, the program was part of a two-week international training initiative organized in partnership with the Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC), the National TVET Trainers Academy (NTTA), and Cyber Tech Inc. The training was designed to build the capacity of Bhutanese technical-vocational trainers in computer numerical control (CNC) machining, an essential skill for modern manufacturing and industry innovation. At the CSITE Main Campus in Baguio City, participants underwent intensive workshops, practical CNC simulations, and lectures on programming and automation. These sessions enabled them to gain advanced competencies and teaching techniques aligned with international standards, empowering them to train the next generation of skilled workers in Bhutan. CSITE Executive Director Daisy C. Bungallon lauded the Bhutanese trainers’ dedication and highlighted the significance of international collaboration in strengthening workforce development. “CSITE takes pride in being a training ground not only for Filipinos but also for our international counterparts,” she said. “This partnership with CPSC and Bhutan exemplifies how technical education transcends borders to build a more skilled, sustainable, and connected world.” The Bhutanese participants described their experience as transformative, citing the hands-on exposure and mentorship from CSITE’s experts as key highlights of the program. One of the trainees, Ms. Sova Dootraj, Assistant Instructor I, extended her heartfelt gratitude to CSITE for its warm hospitality and strong leadership. She also commended Executive Director Bungallon for her inspiring guidance and Mr. Noriel Ramos, Lead Trainer, for his patience and expertise. “Because of his knowledge and support, we now have the confidence to teach back home in Bhutan,” she shared. Dootraj also expressed appreciation to the entire CSITE community, saying, “We felt truly at home in the Philippines and will always treasure the friendships, lessons, and memories we’ve gained. Maraming salamat po, and Kadrinche la!” The event culminated with the awarding of certificates and cultural exchanges, symbolizing both academic achievement and mutual respect between the Philippines and Bhutan. By hosting this specialized training, CSITE continues to advance its mission of promoting inclusive, globally competitive technical education. Its collaboration with international institutions reflects the Philippines’ growing role as a hub for skills excellence and innovation in the Asia-Pacific region.  

CORDILLERA REGION, Philippines — The relentless three-day search and retrieval operation following the tragic vehicular accident along the Chico River in Bontoc has come to a close, with all five victims successfully recovered. The successful retrieval operations were made possible through the combined efforts of the Mountain Province Police Provincial Office (MPPPO), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bontoc and Samoki Emergency Response Teams, Municipal and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices, Bontoc Municipal Health Office, Barangay Tocucan DRRM Committee and community, Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU), the Philippine Red Cross-Mountain Province Chapter, and other volunteer responders. According to reports, the accident occurred on October 27, 2025, when a vehicle carrying five construction workers from a private company plunged into the Chico River at Sitio Gawa, Barangay Tocucan, Bontoc, while en route to a project site in Kuro-Kuro, Sadanga. Upon receiving the report, the MPPPO immediately mobilized personnel, coordinating closely with rescue teams and local responders to begin the search and retrieval operations under difficult terrain and strong river currents. By the evening of the first day, responders recovered the bodies of two victims, identified as Rogelio Romeo Dela Cruz, Jr., 22, and JC Aquino Galicia, 20, both from San Nicolas, Pangasinan. Their remains were brought to the Bontoc General Hospital morgue and promptly claimed by their families. The joint team continued the operation, and two more victims were recovered on October 28: Zoren Jay Luaso Alat, 25, of Siay, Zamboanga del Norte, whose body was transported by the PDRRMO to La Trinidad, Benguet, and Carlo Ancheta, a minor from Tayug, Pangasinan, whose remains were found beneath the Chico River by a local responder from Barangay Tocucan. The search culminated on October 29, 2025, with the recovery of the fifth victim, Edmond Romeo, 22, of Pangasinan, who was found approximately two meters from the submerged vehicle. With his retrieval, the multi-agency mission was officially concluded. A cleansing ritual known as “Palanga, Khaeb si Uminuman” was held at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol, symbolizing respect and closure for the families and the community. The Mountain Province PDRRMO later facilitated the transport of Romeo’s body to Pangasinan, accompanied by his family and representatives from Balintaugan Construction. The families of the victims expressed deep gratitude to all responders, acknowledging the extraordinary cooperation and compassion shown throughout the operation. The Police Regional Office Cordillera Administrative Region extended its profound sympathies to the bereaved families and commended the unified efforts of every participating agency and volunteer. Their relentless coordination, courage, and dedication exemplify the spirit of public service and solidarity that defines the province’s emergency response community.