It took a while for the news to sink in. It pains us so much to learn of the passing of our brother-in-service, Board Member Manny Fermin. He held so much hope to our Province with many good plans nga mangipakita iti dedikasyon na kas maysa nga lider.
Board Member Fermin, dakkel nga iyaman iti leadership ken friendship. You will always be dearly missed.
This morning, Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas welcomed stakeholders at the Governor’s Office for an executive session focused on the strategic direction for Universal Health Care (UHC) of the province.
The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) delegation was led by President Austere A. Panadero, accompanied by Dr. Catherine Chung, Dr. Jenilyn Ann Dabu, Ayeza De Vera, and Joan Kidatan.
From the Department of Health–CAR were Dr. Bridgit Hydee Salao and Dr. Mercedes Calpito, while PhilHealth–CAR was represented by Dr. Dominga Gadgad and Noland Sabling.
Also present were Provincial Government health leaders including Dr. Meliarazon Dulay (PHO II), Dr. Jocelyn Legaspi (PHO I), Dr. Cham Bacuso, Dr. Kirsty Doman, Krystal Wandag, Dr. Maria Imelda Ulep (BeGH), and Dr. Joseph Giovanni Frias (ADH).
The session focused on aligning health priorities in five key areas which are strengthening Health Care Provider Networks (HCPNs), enhancing health financing mechanisms, promoting data-driven decision-making, engaging communities, and reinforcing leadership and governance.
Stakeholders committed on improving inter-agency coordination, institutionalizing local health reforms under the HEALTHIER Benguet and SHAYAW frameworks, and developing sustainable, equity-focused strategies to improve health outcomes in the province.
Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas, together with Vice Governor Marie Rose Fongwan-Kepes and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, led the ribbon untying ceremony to kick off the MSME Week Trade Fair today, July 21, at the Benguet Provincial Capitol.
Local products from the 13 municipalities of Benguet are showcased at their respective booths in the Capitol Covered Court.
Governor Diclas encourages the public to support local and visit the weeklong fair, which runs until Friday, July 25.
The section of the Labey–Lacamen Road in Barangay Ambassador, Tublay, that was temporarily closed due to a landslide earlier today, July 21, is now open to traffic. This was made possible through the clearing operations conducted by the Provincial Engineering Office, in coordination with the Barangay LGU.
Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas is once again reminding motorists and the public to remain cautious when passing through landslide-prone areas, especially during continuous rains. He also encourages communities to immediately report road blockages or emergencies to their Municipal Emergency Operations Centers or the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
Stay alert and safe, kakailian!
Photo: Abel Cada-o
The HEALTHIER Benguet Caravan, spearheaded by Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas, serviced more than 1,300 residents of Kapangan held on Friday, July 18, at the Municipal Gym in Lomon, Paykek.
In partnership with Kapangan LGU, headed by Mayor Harris M. Dizon Sr., the caravan delivered various government services including medical-dental services, legal services, veterinary services, and other services from partner agencies (e.g., NBI, PhilHealth, PSA, and SSS).
Governor Diclas, through his representative, extended his gratitude to all partners who made the caravan a success.
Also extending their support were Board Members Charmaine Molintas-Likigan, Manny Fermin, Neptali Camsol, Romeo K. Salda, Armando I. Lauro, and Jim Botiwey.
The Caravan is scheduled to service the residents of Kabayan next week, on July 25.
The Provincial Government of Benguet, led by Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas, provided relief assistance including food and non-food items on Friday, July 18, to the affected families of the residential fire that occurred ed at Central Balili, La Trinidad.
The assistance was delivered through the personnel from the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (OPSWD), Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), and Benguet Environment and Natural Resources (BENRO).
Meanwhile, financial assistance will be provided once all necessary requirements have been fulfilled.
Governor Diclas encourages the public to stay proactive, practice safety measures, and remain prepared for any unforeseen events.
Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas visited Kochi Prefecture in Japan to meet with Kochi officials to renew the two province’s sisterhood partnership which reaches its 50th anniversary this month.
Governor Diclas, along with Board Member Johannes Amuasen, Provincial Agriculturist Delinia Juan, OIC-Provincial Administrator Brian Camhit, and Provincial Tourism Officer Eleazar Carias, met with Kochi Governor Seiji Hamada and other officials to discuss joint initiatives in agriculture and tourism.
During the meeting, Governor Diclas highlighted the positive impact of the partnership, which began on July 28, 1975, when then-Governor Ben Palispis and then-Governor Masumi Mizobuchi formalized the sisterhood agreement.
“Since 1997, almost a thousand farmer-trainees from Benguet have been welcomed here in Kochi. Today, more than a hundred continue their training and are earning a living while gaining helpful knowledge and skills,” the Governor said. “When they return home, these farmer-trainees become changemakers in their own localities, sharing Japanese best practices and supporting local agricultural development.”
He also mentioned that beyond the development programs, the sisterhood between Benguet and Kochi is symbolized by the Sakura Park in Paoay, Atok, which was established in 2005 through the joint efforts of Kochi Prefecture and the late Congressman and Governor Nestor Bagtang Fongwan Sr.
He said the Sakura saplings gifted by Kochi did not only enhance the beauty of the park but also contributed to the tourism economy of the community.
“We are eager to renew our ties, expand our cooperation, and discover more ways to build a brighter, stronger, and more progressive community for both Benguet and Kochi Prefecture,” Governor Diclas added.
In a separate meeting, the Governor and his team also met with the members of the Kochi-Benguet Sisterhood Development Group headed by Chairman Hiroshi Yoshika to discuss partnership plans. They also met with Benguet farmers who are currently working in Kochi Prefecture.
The Kochi delegation is expected to join the Adivay Festival celebration this year for the official signing of the renewed agreement.
May this day remind us of the strength of our ancestors who stood united to protect our land, our culture, and identity.
With our theme “Securing the Future of a Unified Cordillera,” may we once again reaffirm our commitment to act with renewed purpose. Truly, our culture of unity as Cordillerans has always been and will always be our greatest strength.
Let us always remain committed in our aspiration of a United Cordillera while we preserve and promote our indigenous knowledge systems, safeguard our ancestral domains, and strengthen our governance anchored on binnadang, innayan, and mutual respect.
As we honor this milestone, may each of us be inspired to strive in building “a brighter dawn… for our children to call their own.”
