TABUK CITY, Kalinga , Philippines — Governor James S. Edduba has issued an Executive Order directing the half-mast display of the Philippine flag on all government buildings across the Province of Kalinga on December 4, 2025 to honor the late National Living Treasure (Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan) Alonzo Ayutu Saclag Sr. The order recognizes the province’s deep mourning over the passing of Saclag, an esteemed cultural master whose lifelong dedication preserved and promoted Kalinga’s indigenous music, dance, rituals, and heritage. Widely respected as a cultural guardian, Saclag’s legacy has brought national and international recognition to the people of Kalinga. Edduba cited the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines (RA 8491), which mandates the half-mast display of the Philippine flag as a sign of mourning on the day of interment of National Artists and National Living Treasures. “In honoring National Living Treasure Alonzo Saclag Sr., we honor the soul of Kalinga’s culture itself,” the order states. Under Section 1 of the Executive Order, all government buildings in the province are instructed to fly the national flag at half-mast from sunrise to sunset on December 4, 2025, the scheduled day of Saclag’s interment. Saclag Sr., 83, passed away on November 29, who was honored with the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan or National Living Treasures Award in 2000. He also founded the Kalinga Budong Dance Troupe in his bid to pass down his knowledge of the performing arts to the next generations. The Provincial Government of Kalinga calls on all offices, institutions, and communities to join in remembering and paying tribute to Saclag’s immense cultural legacy, which will continue to shape Kalinga’s identity for generations. (Province of Kalinga)

DSWD FO CAR was recognized by the Department of Information and Communications Technology–CAR (DICT–CAR) for its unwavering support and contributions toward advancing digital literacy and building an empowered, digitally capable citizenry in the region. The award was received by DSWD FO CAR Regional Director Maria A. Catbagan-Aplaten, PhD., during the DICT–CAR ICT Literacy and Competency Development Bureau Partner Summit 2025 held on 27 November 2025 in Baguio City. The recognition highlights DSWD’s commitment to strengthening digital inclusion and enabling Cordillerans to access and navigate essential online services effectively. During the same event, RD Aplaten also joined the renewal of partnerships under the DIGITAL BAYANIHAN initiative, a DICT-led program that unites government agencies, LGUs, and learning institutions to promote ICT literacy, expand digital skills training, and ensure wider access to technology across communities. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by representatives from OWWA, DOLE, DSWD, DTI, BJMP, TESDA, PIA, and the Institute of Electronic Engineers of the Philippines–CAR.

PROVINCE OF KALINGA, Philippines  – The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported, on November 26, that the damage caused by Super Typhoon Uwan in the province of Kalinga continues to increase to P1.37 billion. According to the PDRRMC, a total of 12,646 families or 54,561 individuals were affected throughout the province, while 1,967 were damaged, of which 82 were totally damaged for a total of P19,522,659,181 in damages. The province was also severely damaged in agriculture from the destruction of rice, corn, high value crops, vegetables, banana, calamansi, coffee, durian and rambutan amounting to P81,272,779, while the damage to agricultural infrastructure was P272,104,720. The damaged machinery includes tractors, rice mills, centrifugal pumps, lawn mowers, generators, chainsaws, thresher units, and other farm equipment in Tabuk and Pasil Cities, valued at ₱910,000. Extensive damage to public infrastructure, including community irrigation systems (CIS), slope protections, roads, greenhouses, national and provincial roads, day care centers, washing sheds, elementary school buildings, bridges, flood control systems, water reservoirs, material recovery facilities, tourism roads, foot canals, water systems, slope protections, bridges (including suspension and slab bridges), school buildings, barangay halls, church buildings, BFP and PNP facilities, comfort rooms, clinics, municipalities, and many others, with initial damage of P992,453,264.35 Animal and poultry damage was recorded at P29,313,9267.50, while damage to livelihoods was P704,945. Five fatalities were recorded: four from the landslide in Western Uma, where one is still missing and search and rescue operations are ongoing, and one from Buscalan who died of drowning and was found in a river along Bangad, Tinglayan. Here are the initial damages suffered by the eight towns of Kalinga. Tabuk City: P45,038,939.72 Tinglayan: P7,401,509 Balbalan: P7,949,367.86 Pasil: P6,309,795.34 Pinukpuk: P27,979,376.77 Rizal: P3,482,594 Lubuagan: P4,758,807.94 Tanudan: P7,228,831.03 Provincial authorities stressed that this is only a preliminary consolidated report, and the extent of damage may continue to increase as municipal LGUs complete their assessments, especially in remote and hard-to-reach areas. The public is urged to closely coordinate with local officials for assistance, advice, and ongoing relief operations.          

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority – Cordillera Administrative Region (TESDA-CAR) earned two national awards at the 2025 Idols ng TESDA and Kabalikat Awards, held on November 24, 2025, at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City. Isabelito B. Carpio from Abra was named National Winner in the Wage-Employed Category of the 2025 Idols ng TESDA, which recognizes graduates of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs who have achieved skills excellence and professional success while contributing to economic growth in their communities. His success story exemplifies how TVET graduates can thrive professionally and inspire others to pursue technical and vocational careers. Meanwhile, the Office of Congressman Maximo Y. Dalog, Jr. received the Kabalikat Award in the Legislative Category, which honors partners who have made significant contributions to the implementation and promotion of TVET programs. The office demonstrated sustained advocacy, mobilized resources, and fostered partnerships that enhanced skills development and employment opportunities for Cordilleran learners. Its continuous support and active participation in TESDA programs earned it national recognition as a model of effective public-private collaboration in TVET. These national recognitions reflect the dedication, expertise, and commitment of Cordilleran professionals and institutional partners across the region to continue supporting and advancing technical vocational education and training in the Philippines. The 2025 Idols ng TESDA and Kabalikat Awards honor individuals and organizations whose achievements contribute to workforce development and the economic growth of their communities through TVET programs.  

LUNA, Apayao, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government–Cordillera Administrative Region (DILG-CAR), through its Regional and Provincial Project Development and Management Unit (R/PPDMU), in coordination with the Luna Municipal Engineering Office, conducted a joint inspection of the FY 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance Incentive Fund (SGLGIF) project entitled Purchase and Installation of Solar-Powered Streetlights in Barangay Poblacion on November 20, 2025, in Luna, Apayao. The activity evaluated the project’s compliance with established technical standards and its overall operational readiness. Key observations and technical recommendations were presented to the implementing unit during the exit conference, underscoring the shared commitment of DILG-CAR and the Local Government Unit to ensuring high-quality, efficient, and community-responsive local infrastructure.    

Here’s the message of Congressman Eric Go Yap to the people of Benguet in celebration of 2025 Adivay Festival Our beloved Governor, Governor Melchor Diclas, our Vice Governor, Vice Governor Marie Rose Fongwan-Kepes, our Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members, hindi ko na po kayo iisa-isahin. To our Mayors, Vice Mayors, Councilors and Barangay officials. Also, to our key officials from different agencies, department heads and employees of our province, to our former leaders and officials, isang masayang Adivay po sa ating lahat! I would have wanted to be here. After all, this is the birthday of the province, the first one kung saan officially in effect na ang batas na kinikilala na ang Novermber 23 bilang isang non-working holiday in recognition of our true birth. But an equally important matter that requires my presence took my opportunity to be with you today. Regardless, I am with you in spirit at sigurado po ako na masaya pa rin at makulay ang pagdiriwang natin ngayong araw. Every November 23 is a mark of a new beginning, every November 23 we also celebrate and manifest another exciting and progressive year for our province. Every November 23 is a time to recommit to the promise of a better future, an invitation to everybody to begin again. And every Adivay is a reminder of one truth; that we will rise higher when we rise together because we are built on shared dreams and shared sacrifices – from our ancestors to every family and individual who calls Benguet home today. Kaya po excited tayo for a new beginning para sa ating lahat. This is just my sixth Adivay but it feels like I’ve been celebrating it more than that. Marami nang nagbago from my first one, when you look outside, you can already tell the difference from few years ago and I am excited to see where this road can take us in the next couple of years. My remaining years as your Congressman will be devoted to development. Just last week, pasado na sa Committee ang pagkakaroon ng BSU campus sa Kapangan, pasado din last week ang karagdagang Municipal Trial Court sa La Trinidad at marami pang ibang panukala na bibigyan natin ng importansya dahil naniniwala tayong makakatulong sa ating probinsya. Nagawa na nating batas ang pagkakaroon ng College of Medicine sa Benguet State Univerity and next year, we are working on improved facilities for BSU gaya ng pondo para sa College of Medicine and College of Nursing buildings, and also, a tartanized oval sa BSU gaya nang nakikita natin sa labas. Moreover, we are confident that we will have funding in 2026 for approximately 313 new classrooms across 34 public schools in the entire province. At marami pang iba that I will not elaborate for now para sa iba’t ibang aspeto gaya ng health, livelihood, tourism at iba pa. I am committed to double my effort. Despite everything that is going on right now, I owe it to all of you to continue working. Last week, when I went around different barangays, I was reminded of one simple truth: na marami pa rin nahihirapan at kailangan tulungan. Kaya nga gaya ng sinasabi ko, the challenges that I am facing right now pales in comparison sa dinaranas ng marami pa nating kababayan, yung mga gumigising ng maaga dahil malayo pa ang lalakarin, yung mga hindi sigurado kung kaya makapagpagamot kapag nagkasakit sila, yung mga walang pampa-aral ng anak, every family working hard and striving to have a better life or just to keep afloat. And will be here and I am not going anywhere until my last day. I may not be perfect, no one is and it will not define me, but it guides me to sharpen my judgement and strengthen my resolve to serve better. I always measure myself against myself, that I need to be better than yesterday. And I cannot do it alone. Marami pang kailangan gawin so there has to be a collective effort from everyone. So I call on everybody, our officials hanggang sa barangay level na alam na alam kong todo effort din sa trabaho – to always go the extra mile, take that extra step, double our efforts and not put in just the bare minimum. Sa ating mga kailyan, don’t stop trying to be better and always extend a little kindness because it goes a long way. If we are embarking a new beginning, a change in mindset is essential – a mindset that no one can do it all alone. Again, we will rise higher when we rise together. We survived storms, earthquakes and the harshest trials but we always choose to stand up again, hindi lang dahil wala tayong choice kundi tumayo ulit but also because resilience is our greatest heritage. It was instilled in us. But resilience alone will not bring us there. Opo, mahirap at marami pang kailangan gawin pero punong puno ako ng pagasa. In every sunrise over our mountains is a lesson that no matter how cold the night was, hope always rises. And when I look at our officials, itong mga nasa harapan, I know that Benguet is in good hands for many many years to come. Our Governor and Vice Governor are among the best in the country at their jobs, marami po akong kilalang Gobernador at Bise, and I am proud to say na mapalad tayo for having these two officials at the helm. Ganun din ang ating mga Board Members, sobra ang bilib ko sa inyo and one day, one of you will be among the three highest officials of our province, and I have so much faith in you that you will do good, kilala ko kayo, you’ll be fine. But time will come na maaaring hindi kayo nasa iisang linya ng partido, perhaps baka maging magkakalaro pa kayo sa pwesto, but always remember that politics should not be a way of life dahil isang araw lang ang election, do not let politics ruin what matters

TABUK CITY, Kalinga, Philippines – The reward for anyone who can provide information against the suspect who killed Irene Campilis Gayamos, a well-known weaver in Purok 6, Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga, on November 12 has been increased to P700,000. During the Kalinga Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting held on November 17, Gov. James Edduba approved the total of P700,000, P500,000 for the reward and P200,000 for the mobilization of the formed Task Force Irene, based on the request of Provincial Director PCol.Gilbert Fati-ig. On November 20, the Lubuagan Municipal Peace and Order Council, headed by Mayor Joel B. Tagaotao, allocated an additional P200,000, to help and expedite justice for the victim’s death. It can be recalled that on November 12, at around 2:39 p.m., Irene, 30, a member of the Mabilong Weaver Community of Lubuagan, was found dead inside her house, believed to have been stabbed with a bolo knife by an unidentified suspect. The police have yet to determine the cause or motive for the brutal killing. Irene is the wife of police officer Alloy Gayamos. Fati-ig called on the public to refrain from spreading unverified information that could hinder the investigation and cause unnecessary fear or confusion, especially on social media, as authorities continue their efforts to provide justice for the victim’s death.