Category: Baguio News

𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘

The Association of City Executives (ACEx) of the city government of Baguio led by City Budget Officer Atty. Leticia Clemente, organized a heartfelt sent-off ceremony to city officials and an executive exiting the City Hall by the end of the month.Thank you and see you around, public servants:Hon. Mark Go, CongressmanHon. Lilia Fariñas, City CouncilorHon. Mylen Yaranon, City CouncilorHon. Isabelo Cosalan, City CouncilorHon. Arthur Allad-iw, City CouncilorHon. Benny Bomogao, City CouncilorEngr. Bonifacio Dela Peña, City Administrator– JMPS/ NCO

𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 𝗪𝗔𝗥 𝗜𝗜 𝗢𝗡 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬 𝗔𝗧 𝗩𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗

BAGUIO CITY – The public is invited to view remnants and other articles of interest from World War II, at the Heroes Hall, USAFIP-NL building, Veterans Compound, Camp Allen from June 15 to June 29, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, daily. Organized by the descendants of WW II veterans of the 66th infantry regiment, the exhibit dubbed “We Remained,” is actively supported by the city government and done in partnership with the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod, University of the Philippines Baguio. The activity is a salute to the United States of America Forces in the Philippines – North Luzon and the US 6th army group and dedicated to the freedom fighters of Northern Luzon for the 80th year liberation of Bessang Pass and USAFIP-NL day. For the opening rites on June 15, a wreath-laying and candle lighting was done with the presence of guest of honor and speaker Congressman-elect Mauricio G. Domogan, and Executive Assistant to Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Engr. Leandro Tabilog; Board of Trustees, other officials and participants, and descendants of veterans. People in possession of other WWII artifacts are however encouraged to loan said items to the Sons and Daughters of Veterans Association (SDAI) USAFIP-NL for the duration of the exhibit. The SDAI also accepts donations for the collection. -jgfianza

𝗕𝗔𝗚𝗨𝗜𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗢𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟

Members of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) gathered for a Building Leadership Workshop on June 11, 2025 to review Baguio’s roadmap on its “Making Cities Resilient” (MCR) goals by 2026. Baguio City’s aim to become a resilient city by 2026 is anchored on the need to prepare for the inevitable and grim effects of climate change ahead of the MCR 2030 target by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Engr. Charles Bryan Carame, local disaster risk reduction management office IV of the CDRRMO said in line with this, the city government partnered with the National Resilience Council – a private institution providing technical assistance and capacity building to local government units in achieving resilience targets. The workshop sought to strengthen institutional capacities for disaster and climate resilience utilizing the Building Leadership approach to promote collaboration and shared accountability across sectors; align local development priorities; contextualize Adapt Phase based on local realities and draft a baseline assessment and work plan to support the city’s resilience-building initiatives. The workshop also documented best practices on resilience-building initiatives; identifying challenges and extracting lessons learned in advancing toward MCR 2026 goals. Identified priorities include: establish multi-stakeholder platform for resilience; enhance the climate and disaster risk and vulnerability assessment and mapping both city and barangay level; and, improve resilience governance and planning, including the establishment of a Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Information System (database) and Dashboarding. Ensuring business continuity amidst any disaster or disruptive events was also listed a resilience priority along with the mainstreaming of gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) in local DRRM plans, policies and initiatives. The city government is being scored on five pillars namely: human development; human security; infrastructure; environment; and, local economy. – JM Samidan

𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗔𝗗𝗔 𝗘𝗦𝗞𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗔 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗨𝗘𝗦

Cleaning and repair of public schools through the Brigada Eskwela program of the Department of Education continues in Baguio City.During the weekend, personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection – Baguio Fire Station cleaned and flushed drainages at the Doña Aurora H. Bueno Elementary School in Camp 8.Also on June 14, 2025 teams of the Public order Safety Division under the City Mayor’s Office helped in the improvement of Quezon Hill National High School’s canals to prevent ankle high flooding and repairs of sewage pipeline to improve drainage system of the school’s toilets. – JMPS

𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚

The second batch of Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) composing of 137 youth workers took their oath of office today, June 17, 2025. The said SPES beneficiaries will be assigned to various city offices. – JSC

𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗟 𝗘𝗬𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗧 𝗕𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗛𝗔𝗠

Members of the Baguio City Council are considering the drafting of an ordinance to regulate fishing activities at Burnham Lake. The proposal emerged during the city council’s June 9, 2025 discussion on a separate measure seeking to institutionalize the Burnham Fishing Tournament. Councilors suggested that, aside from institutionalizing the tournament, a distinct ordinance should be enacted to govern fishing activities at Burnham Lake, establish regulatory processes, and address ecological and legal concerns. Councilor Mylen Yaranon pointed out that the penal provision of the ordinance institutionalizing the tournament lacked clarity, adding that penalties related to unregulated fishing should perhaps be addressed in a separate ordinance focused on Burnham Lake’s ecological management. Yaranon also emphasized the need for proper fish population control and suggested that the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) should schedule regular harvests since fish, especially red tilapia, have been multiplying rapidly in the lake. Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda agreed that penal provisions should not be embedded within the first ordinance but should instead be part of a separate ordinance to be drafted by CEPMO, especially regarding the issuance of fishing permits. CEPMO representative Sandra Almag admitted that fees amounting to P150 per hour are currently being collected based on “use of area,” but Tabanda insisted that collections must have a legal basis and must be formally backed by an ordinance. Councilor Peter Fianza stated that the new ordinance should lay out guidelines on the conduct of fishing, designation of fishing areas, permit requirements, and collection of fees. This ordinance would provide both structure and accountability, Fianza said. As for the ordinance institutionalizing the Burnham Fishing Tournament, councilors also raised concerns on implementation and enforcement. A significant point of discussion revolved around the P500 registration fee currently collected from participants which covers trophies, cash prizes, free t-shirts for participants, food and gas for volunteer coordinators. Councilor Vladimir Cayabas proposed waiving of the registration fee for Baguio residents if public funds would already be used while Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President John Rhey Mananeng suggested a fixed appropriation with a corresponding cap on participants to maintain a balance. Cayabas and Mananeng emphasized that if the tournament is to be institutionalized, it should be adequately and sustainably funded by the City to relieve the burden on private organizers and to make the event more accessible. Meanwhile, Councilor Peter Fianza suggested creating a more inclusive and more comfortable and inclusive fishing space, especially for retirees and elderly individuals who view fishing not just as a recreational activity but as a relaxing pastime that could enhance their quality of life. Fianza also addressed safety concerns, noting that people participating in tournaments often roam freely along the lake including areas that are not secure or designed for public access. He called for improvements such as providing proper seating and safety infrastructure. Almag said that rehabilitation plans had already been drawn up and submitted for funding under the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), including improvement of the lake’s perimeter and dock areas. However, she clarified that the initially identified fishing area is limited to the view deck due to the presence of boats, but CEPMO is open to considering an expansion of the fishing zone to adjacent areas. The approval of the ordinance was deferred and returned to its proponent, Councilor Lilia Farinas, for refinement based on the comments of the other city council members. The first fishing tournament was held a few years ago during the Saleng Festival. It is currently organized by Rafael Serrano in collaboration with CEPMO. The 10th edition is scheduled for June 28, 2025. Serrano said that, so far, feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, especially from the most recent tournament held during the Panagbenga Festival in February. -Jordan G. Habbiling

𝗕𝗖𝗣𝗢 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗦 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗖 𝗢𝗡 𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗔𝗟 𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗩𝗔𝗣𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗦

BAGUIO CITY – Local police authorities warned the public on the continuous sale of illegal vape products in the city following the successful entrapment and arrest of a 28-year old suspect along Harrison road for violation of Ordinance No. 34, series of 2017 or the Smoke Free Baguio measure which is currently being strictly implemented in the country’s Summer Capital. The Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) extended its full support to the city’s Smoke Free Task Force in the implementation of the said operation leading to the arrest of the illegal vape vendor and the confiscation of approximately 600 vapes and some 140 assorted vape batteries with a market value of more than P600,000. BCPO City Director Ruel D. Tagel said that the successful operation highlights the importance of multi-sectoral coordination in enforcing various laws, rules and regulations.

𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟

Public School students are back in school on June 16, 2025, after their summer break. Waking up early to beat the morning rush hour to make it to the morning Flag Raising Ceremony. Other students are accompanied by their parents, who are still anxious about whether they will be okay on their first day. The following photographs were taken at Baguio City High School and Baguio Central School before their flag-raising ceremony. – NCO