BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The campaign against the deadly disease Tuberculosis is now being intensified, after 1,241 cases were recorded in 2025 and 231 cases were recorded in the first quarter of this year. Mayor Benjamin Magalong earlier issued a Memorandum encouraging public schools, hospitals, and private establishments to light up their buildings with red lights, symbolizing unity and commitment in the fight against tuberculosis while raising public awareness about the disease. According to the World Health Organization, TB is “the deadliest infectious disease known to man”, and the Philippines is in the top three countries with the highest number of tuberculosis cases with approximately 98 Filipinos dying of TB every day.   According to Dr. Donnabel Panes of the City Health Services Office, TB is an airborne respiratory illness that is primarily spread when a person with active TB coughs, sneezes, or speaks.   However, she clarified that TB is not transmitted through sharing utensils, towels, using the same comfort room, or through physical contact, common misconceptions that need to be corrected.   She said that in efforts to strengthen early detection and prevention, the CHSO is conducting a free chest X-ray program, donated by the Philippine Business for Social Progress. Panes reminded the public that TB can affect anyone and that health authorities are working with jeepney, e-jeep, and taxi drivers to promote a healthy lifestyle and encourage early detection of tuberculosis. “We are not all at the same risk. The risk is higher for these groups: children, the elderly, diabetics, health workers, those taking steroids and chemotherapy, smokers and vapers,” he also stressed the need to keep our immune system strong, saying that tuberculosis is closely related to how well our body can defend itself against infection. Meanwhile, more than 100 drivers received free chest X-ray services, PhilHealth YAKAP registration, and meals in commemoration of World Tuberculosis Day recently, as part of the city’s efforts to prevent the spread of tuberculosis (TB). Panes said, the X-ray caravans help prevent the rise of tuberculosis especially among vulnerable populations like drivers who interact with many passengers every day and advised the public to get tested especially if they are listed in the high risk group. The CHSO also assured that there is no need to worry about the costs, as the office has initiatives in providing free TB testing and treatment.

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The City Government will hold the Circular Tourism Summit 2026 on March 30-31, 2026 as part of its push for sustainable development. With the theme, “Weaving a Circular Tourism Economy,” the two-day event is part of the city’s Pansa-Nopen Tayo Program, which promotes a shift from the traditional “take-make-waste” model to a more sustainable circular economy. The summit aims to help tourism stakeholders, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), adopt environmentally friendly practices. It will focus on raising awareness of circular economy principles, identifying waste management solutions, and linking businesses with green innovators and upcycling groups. Jonathan F. Co, project head of Sentinel Upcycling Technologies, will serve as keynote speaker. He is known for promoting the conversion of waste materials into useful products. The event is supported by the EU-PH Green Economy Partnership, a grant-funded program that selected Baguio as one of its pilot local government units. The program is co-led by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme. A highlight of the summit is the Circular Solutions Marketplace, where hotels, restaurants and tour operators can directly connect with recyclers and solution providers to address their waste management needs. Mayor Benjamin Magalong earlier emphasized that circular economy efforts require strong leadership and concrete results. City officials said the summit is part of Baguio’s ongoing efforts to reduce waste and promote a more sustainable and resilient local economy. The Pansa-nopen Tayo circular economy program of the city was launched on Jan. 31, 2025 after Baguio’s selection as one of the 20 local government unit grantees of the European Union-Philippines (EU-PH) Green Economy Partnership, a five-year initiative aiming “to enhance waste management, support the transition to a circular economy and accelerate the deployment of renewable energy technologies” of local government units funded by the EU and implemented in by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The Green LGUs project where the city is one of the 20 recipients, is one of the objectives of the EU-GEP and is being co-led by the Dept. of Interior Local Government (DILG) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme Philippines (UNDP).  It aims to enhance circular economy practices of LGUs in collaboration with the private sector and the civil society groups. (Aileen P. Refuerzo)        

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines  — Colorful designs of various types of flowers and ornamental plants were the designs of the 30 floatsthat participated in the grand Panagbenga Festival flower parade in Baguio City, on March 1. Themed “Blooming WithoutEnd”, the  floats from the Small, Medium and Large categories, some of whichwere brought by celebrities, onceagainshone brightly, with the participants highlighting their float entries in line with this year’s theme, which will be the basis for the judges’ selection of the winners. As early as 4:00 a.m., spectators took their seats at Session and Harrison Road to get a closer look at the elegant designs of the floats, some of whichwere brought by celebrities, much to thedelight of the spectators. Each float reflects the creativity, craftsmanship, and cultural pride of local designers, artists, and community groups who carefully transformed fresh flowers into moving works of art. From intricate floral designs tocreative themes inspired by the nature and heritage of the Cordillera, the parade attracted thousands of residents and visitors eager to witness the colorful spectacle. In the small float category, there are 7; in the medium catego ry 7; and in the large category 11 are all in the competition category. Also participating in the parade are the City Government’s large float; the Department of Tourism-CAR float and AB Leisure Exponent Inc (Bingo Plus), as non-competing floats. The large floats of Baguio Country Club and SMPrime Holding Inc. also participate annually as Hall of Famers. This year, the participants in the small floral float category are Radiowealth Finance Company, BB Wedding and Events Styling, Jam AE Enterprise Corp., Wlcon Depot Inc., Eurika Garden, Zaparatta’s Garden, Zaparita’s Garden. In the medium category, Wright Park Hotel, Chowking-Fresh N’ Famous Foods Inc., KFC, Mang Inasal, Palawan Express, Philippine Retirement Authority, RBC Flower Trading/RBC Cutflower Organization. In the large floral category, International Pharmaceuticals In., TIEZA, Pepsi Cola, Golden Arches Development Corporation (MCDO), Regasco, Gamezone IThru Caper Consumer Business Innovation,Inc.. John Hay Management Corporation, GMA Network Inc./Sunsilk, Jollibee Food Corporation, Chooks to Go, Zaparita;s Garden.   The flower float is considered a crowd-pulling event in the history of Panagbenga Festival since 1995.By Zaldy Comanda            

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The city government through the City Health Services Office (CHSO) has assured the public that there is still no cause for alarm in the city with regards to the Nipah virus, which is now causing concern after registering deaths in India. In a statement, City Health Officer Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes said that there are currently no confirmed or suspected cases of Nipah virus in the city and that they are closely monitoring developments in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH). She said measures are in place for the safety and protection of residents against the disease and these are aligned with the protocols in the national level. The DOH had earlier said that the country is prepared to respond to Nipah virus and other emerging infectious diseases. Nipah virus is said to be “a zoonotic disease transmissible from animals to humans with fruit bats as its natural carriers. Pigs and horses can also become infected, though human cases remain rare and outbreaks have been contained in affected areas. First identified in Malaysia in 1998 and Singapore in 1999, the virus now sees seasonal outbreaks in parts of Bangladesh and India, including recent managed cases in West Bengal. The Philippines receives updates via the World Health Organization’s International Health Regulations (IHR) network. The DOH has confirmed that the country is prepared, noting past cases in Sultan Kudarat in 2014 linked to infected animals and close contacts—no further cases since, with ongoing surveillance by the DOH Epidemiology Bureau. In 2023, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) updated guidelines stressing Nipah’s high-risk status, transmission via body fluids and droplets, lack of vaccine or antiviral treatment, supportive care needs, strict PPE and infection controls and centralized testing at RITM. As a precaution, the CHSO reminded the public to avoid contact with bats and sick or dead animals, consume only meat inspected by the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), ensure food is thoroughly cooked and practice good hand hygiene. Individuals experiencing flu-like symptoms with severe headache or neurological signs, especially after animal exposure, are advised to seek medical attention promptly. Brillantes said the CHSO continues to work closely with the DOH-CAR, hospitals, laboratories and emergency response units to maintain readiness. The public is urged to remain calm, rely on official information and avoid spreading misinformation. She assured that updates will be issued should there be any change in the situation. – (Aileen P. Refuerzo)

BAGUIO CITY – Three major events of the Panagbenga Festival inaugurated consecutively as the 30th edition of the much-anticipated and crowd-drawing festival in Baguio City opens on February 1. With the theme “Blooming Without End,” elementary drum and lyre contingents will once again perform in a street dancing parade to enliven the opening of the month-long celebration of the Panagbenga Festival. Participants in the elementary drum and lyre competition are Tuba Central School Drum and Lyre Corps; Pugo Central School, El Tribu D’Lucban Elemetary School. Baguio Central School, Lucban Elementary School, Puguis Elemenrtary School and Mabini ElementarySchool. Before the parade, an “Uggayam” interfaith program will be held at Panagbenga Park at around 7:00 a.m., where various religious groups will offer prayers to wish for a successful and peaceful celebration, followed by a traditional ‘canao’. The parade starts at 8:00 a.m. led  by Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan and the city councils, Congressman Mauricio Domogan, officials of the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation.Inc., Baguio Tourism Council and Liga ng mga Barangays along Session, Harrison Road, towards Malvin Jones Football Ground in Burnham Park. Two other major eventsinaugarated, the opening of the Market Encounter, where products from the Cordillera region and invited entrepreneurs from various areas will be displayed and purchased. Panagbengascapes will also beinaugurated for the landscaping competition and exhibition located at the Rose Garden. Here you can see various designs of flower and plant landscapes that will be displayed by 12 famous landscapers of Baguio City. The much-awaited grand street dancing parade and flower float parade will take place on February 28 and March 1, followed by the Session Road in Bloom the next day with the entire celebration ending on March 8. (By Zaldy Comanda)