Author: Neilsen Kisim
Ms. Universe 2015 and Advocate, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, engaged with the Mr. and Ms. Benguet LAYAD (Leadership and Youth Advocacy Development) and other youth advocates in the Province, discussing impactful work in creating social changes through advocacies.
The dinner, “PIAN TAYO: A Celebration of Love for Advocay”, hosted by Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas, was held on Thursday, February 6, at the Provincial Capitol.
It focused on key causes like mental health awareness and HIV prevention, having emphasis on the importance of youth involvement in these efforts.
Also in attendance, expressing their messages in support of the advocacies towards greater cause, especially on HIV awareness, were Dr. Ronivin Pagtakhan, Executive Director of Love Yourself Inc. and Dr. Ryan C. Guinaran, Country Program Manager for AIDS Healthcare Foundation-Philippines.
The 14th leg of the HEALTHER Benguet Caravan, spearheaded by Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas, in partnership with Kibungan LGU, led by Mayor Cesar M. Molitas, is scheduled for February 20, Thursday, at the Kibungan Municipal Gym in Poblacion.
Governor Diclas is inviting all i-Kibungan to avail of the various medical-dental and other government services.
Here are the playing venues for the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) Meet 2025 on February 23-28.
Kindly scan the QR Codes for the exact locations on Google map.
Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas welcomed health officials from Northern Samar during their visit to the Provincial Capitol on Tuesday.
Dr. Maria Aurora Vicencio of the Northern Samar Provincial Health Office and Michael Angelo Cruz from PhilHealth – Northern Samar headed the delegation.
Dr. Meliarazon Dulay from the Benguet Provincial Health Office highlighted the successful strategies of the province for meeting the Health Care Provider Network (HCPN) demonstration site requirements.
Benguet met all requirements last year, with every Rural Health Unit (RHU) licensed as a primary care facility and accredited by PhilHealth as Konsulta providers.
The province has one Level 2 hospital, three Level 1 hospitals, two infirmaries, and additional healthcare facilities.
Benguet, a leading site for Universal Health Care, is now in the Financial Integration stage, streamlining financial resources for health systems and services. This is the last step before the Department of Health reviews the progress.
UHC, or Kalusugan Pangkalahatan, aims to provide all Filipinos with high-quality, accessible, efficient, and equitable healthcare services.
Dr. Dulay was accompanied by Dr. Jocely Legaspi, PHO I; Dr. Chamson Bacuso, Rural Health Physician; and Marc Adnan Balagot, UHC – Benguet focal person for the benchmark activity.
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PLGU Donates Books
In line with the celebration of National Arts Month, the Benguet PLGU donated 75 copies of “Chigwa, Chilos, tan Chamag cha Karao” book, authored by MMB LAYAD Advocate Kevin Claud D. Beray.
Held on Monday, February 10, the copies were donated to SDO-Benguet, which will be distributed t public schools across the Province.
The book, Chigwa, Chilos, tan Chamag cha Karao, which translates to “Beliefs, Rituals, and Anecdotes in Karao,” was funded through the Development Book for Information Materials and Books on Homes (DIBSHO), chaired by Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas.
DIBSHO is the provincial book board which functions to promote the development of indigenous authortship and of translations among various language groups in the Province.
“Today is a celebration of your triumphs, but it is also a call to a greater purpose, to be healers, leaders, and changemakers…,” Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas said in a message delivered by his representative during the graduation ceremony of 44 medical residents (batch 2024) from Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC).
Held on Monday, February 10, at Supreme Hotel, Baguio City, the celebration centered on the theme, “Resilienca: Per Aspera ad Astra.”
Governor Diclas, who is also a residency graduate of BGHMC, reminded the doctors to serve with a heart for their community, highlighting that “wherever your practice takes you, let your work be guided by compassion and a commitment in uplifting those who are in need.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Larry C. Haya Jr., Medical Center Chief II, exclaimed that the graduates are their pride, and that the graduation is a celebration of reflection and a new beginning, highlighting academic excellence, resilience, courage, and character developed along the way.
Also celebrating their milestone were six fellows who finished their specialized trainings in ultrasound, CTMRI, and minimally invasive surgery.
Seventeen associations from different towns in Benguet have received livelihood equipment worth P2.5 million from the Provincial Government led by Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas.
The equipment includes laundry machines, sewing machines, and cooking and baking tools, among others, aimed at enhancing the productivity of the beneficiaries.
This initiative, funded through the Office of Governor Diclas, is part of the livelihood program through the initiative of Board Member Marie Rose Fongwan-Kepes, SP-Chairperson for Livelihood.
Governor Diclas expressed gratitude to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and concerned offices for ensuring the swift processing of documents for its successful implementation.
Livelihood development remains a major priority under the Governor’s H.E.A.L.T.H.I.E.R. Benguet agenda.
Also present during the turnover ceremony held Wednesday, Feb. 5, at the Ben Palispis Auditorium were Board Members Fongwan-Kepes, Neptali Camsol, and Joel Tingbaoen Jr.
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SISTERHOOD WITH JAPAN
A delegation from the Japan Agricultural Exchange Council (JAEC) led by Minamimaki Mura Vice Mayor, Sumiichi Takamizawa, paid a courtesy visit to Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas today, February 3, 2025 at the Provincial Governor’s Office to discuss partnership on agriculture.
Meanwhile, a total of 15 young Benguet farmers are set to be deployed in Japan next month serving as Technical Interns in Nagano Prefecture for three years under the Young Benguet Farmers’ Leader Training Program.
The program aims to enhance practical agricultural knowledge and technologies of young farmers in Benguet by transferring skills, technology, and knowledge that Japanese agriculture possesses.
The screening process for the farmers was conducted last year with the assistance of the different Municipal Local Government Units and the Provincial Government.
According to JAEC, application for the 2026 deployment will start this April. It can be recalled that the province sent another group of 12 farmers last year.
The initiative is implemented through the Technical Intern Training Program in partnership with the Japan Agricultural Exchange Council in Japan (JAEC).
