Author: Neilsen Kisim
Four young Benguet athletes who bagged medals in the recently concluded Palarong Pambansa 2025, received recognition from the Provincial Local Government of Benguet headed by Governor Dr.Melchor Daguines Diclas after the flag raising ceremony at the Provincial Capitol on Monday, June 2.
Leading the group of medalists were Valerie Chriselle Oglayon of King’s College of the Philippines (KCP),who garnered Gold and Silver medals in Team and Individuals Pomsae and Charles Johnson Calawen of Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC),who clinched the Gold Medal in Wrestling.Also honored were Hart Jason Benwasen of Sablan NHS and Aeyesha Raven Bantasan of Benguet NHS,who each earned bronze medals in Wrestling.
Their achievements were made possible with the guidance and support of their coaches,with Joseph T.Bacani and Shylah M.Caweng,coaching the Wrestling team.
For more details,kindly watch the Adivay Digest Weekly Update this Friday.
The Benguet Provincial Local Government honored 2LT Kint Poltic Pinas for graduating as Cum Laude from the Philippine Military Academy as part of the SIKLAB-LAYA Class of 2025.
2LT Pinas was among the 266 cadets who successfully graduated last May 17 during the commencement exercises held at the Borromeo Fields, Fort Gregorio H. Del Pilar in Baguio City.
Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas extended his congratulations to Cadet Pinas and his family, commending his academic excellence, discipline, and commitment to serve the country.
For more details, kindly watch the Adivay Digest Weekly Update this Friday.
FB :https://www.facebook.com/adivaydigest
The Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council (PAFC) of Benguet secured a spot as a national finalist in the 50th Gawad Saka Awards held on May 26, 2025, at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City.
The Department of Agriculture recognized Benguet PAFC for adopting the swine dispersal project backed by the Provincial Government to revive hog production in the province.
Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas congratulated the council during the June 2 flag-raising ceremony at the Capitol and thanked all partners for advancing the agriculture agenda of the province.
PAFC Chairperson Gerson Domoguen presented the award alongside Vice Chairpersons Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Purita Lesing and Provincial Agriculturist Delinia Juan.
Council members also joined the ceremony where the plaque of recognition was formally presented before Capitol officials and employees.
The award recognizes local councils that contribute to agriculture policy-making, program implementation, and grassroots development.
The Department of Agriculture will announce the final national winners of the Gawad Saka Program this June.
Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas secured his third and final term as Governor of Benguet under the LAKAS-CMD Party.
Diclas received 116,212 votes from the 13 municipalities of the province. He defeated incumbent board member Ruben Pao-ad, who garnered 34,657 votes. George Punasen followed with 32,525 votes, while former Vice Governor Johnny Waguis got 18,940 votes.
According to election results published by GMA Network, 210,927 of the 249,729 registered voters in Benguet cast their ballots. La Trinidad posted the highest number of votes for Governor, where Diclas received 22,997 votes out of 42,051 voters.
In Itogon, he got 14,727 out of 26,905 votes cast, while in Tuba, he garnered 12,622 out of 20,764 votes cast.
In his message, Governor Diclas thanked God for a peaceful, orderly, and safe election. He also expressed gratitude to the people of Benguet for their “overwhelming support.”
He promised to serve with greater passion and responsibility guided by his HEALTHIER Benguet agenda.
Diclas acknowledged Congressman Eric Go Yap, Vice Governor-elect Marie Rose Fongwan-Kepes, and all elected officials in the province and pledged to work “shoulder to shoulder” with them to uphold transparency, accountability, and compassionate service.
Re-elected Congressman Eric Go Yap also ran under LAKAS-CMD and earned a historic 144,093 votes. On the other hand, Board Member Marie Rose Fongwan-Kepes won as Vice Governor with 116,169 votes.
Meanwhile, for District 1 board members, Sander Fianza (LAKAS) led with 36,154 votes. Johannes Amuasen (LAKAS) followed with 34,694 votes. Charmaine Molintas (LAKAS) received 31,922 votes, while Thomas Jr. Wales (UBP) got 31,289 votes.
In District 2, Ruben Tinda-an (LAKAS) topped with 67,731 votes. Romeo Salda (LAKAS) followed with 63,802 votes. Manny Fermin (LAKAS) got 63,405 votes, followed by Armando Lauro (LAKAS) who received 59,379 votes and Neptali Camsol (LAKAS) who earned 57,547 votes. Jim Botiwey (PFP) completed the slate with 48,019 votes.
The turn-over ceremony is scheduled for June 30, 2025, at the Benguet Sports Complex Gymnasium. – Silverio Jr. Abag Pilo
Benguet youth leaders took part in Babae sa Lente, a Women’s Month culminating event in Pasig City on March 30, featuring Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray.
The event which was organized by Love Yourself and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) led by Country Director Dr. Ryan Guinaran, celebrated the strength of women through discussions and performances.
Kevin Beray, Mr. Benguet Culture 2022 and a BIYAG Creative Writing Fellow, and Kristine Dilao, Ms. Benguet Culture 2022, joined Gray in a panel discussion, where they highlighted the resilience of Benguet women, known for their ability to multitask while balancing responsibilities at home, in their communities, and in preserving indigenous culture.
They also emphasized the important role of women in safeguarding traditions and contributing to the community.
Gray underscored the importance of uplifting young women’s voices, stating that the youth are not only the leaders of the new generation “but they make up an integral part of the community at large. If they are ignored, we’re doing a great disservice to our community as a whole, which is why it is very important to talk about the roles not only of the youth but also women-led youth because those are usually the voices that aren’t given enough platform.”
She also stressed the need for support, guidance, and resources for young people, saying, “Youth also require so much support, guidance, and resources to find a place where their concepts can come to life. Additionally, she highlighted the role of arts as a powerful platform in shaping society and preserving culture.
Meanwhile, April Mon Diclas, Ms. Benguet Tourism 2024, and Nikita Dahle Yano, a BIYAG artist, performed at the event, showcasing Benguet’s rich cultural talent.
Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas commended Love Yourself and AHF for recognizing indigenous women and engaging Benguet youth in the celebration. His office initiated the Benguet Indigenous Youth Arts Guild (BIYAG) Festival in 2022 and transformed Mr. and Ms. Benguet into an advocacy platform to empower young leaders in nation-building.
A photo gallery was also setup at the event showcasing cultural legacies of women and how traditions influence well-being. Among the featured images were portraits of Benguet women captured by local artists Paul Joseph Nuval and Abel Cada-o.
Further, Dr. Ryan Guinaran expressed his gratitude to all who contributed to the event.
“Your voices have made this event meaningful. Let us leave today inspired to advocate for women’s empowerment, cultural pride, and holistic well-being in every space we influence,” Dr. Guinaran added, encouraging the advocates to move forward with the promise that every woman, in every role, is valued, heard, and empowered. No woman should be denied full access to sexual and reproductive health. No woman should die of AIDS, teenage pregnancy, or unintended pregnancy. Together, we build a more inclusive and equitable future.”
The Provincial Government of Benguet headed by Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas, through the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (OPSWD), distributed a total of P985,000.00 education assistance to a total of 195 Benguet students, in support of their academic journey.
Held on Wednesday, March 26, at the Gov. Ben Palispis Auditorium, each student received P5,0000.00.
The program benefitted students belonging to the indigent families, who applied in the previous months.
The province also has an existing regular student asssitance program where one qualified student from each barangay is being given P20,000.00 annually until graduation. Also, Governor Diclas has recently endorsed more than 1,300 college students as recipients of the Tulong-Dunong Program of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) where each student receives P7,500 worth pf assistance until their graduation.
In support of children’s learning across the province, the Provincial Government of Benguet, headed by Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas, provided learning materials to a total of 472 Child Development Centers (CDCs).
The distribution was held on March 24, Monday, at the Capitol Covered Court, La Trinidad.
On behalf of the Provincial Government of Benguet, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and the entire Municipality of Mankayan on the untimely passing of Hon. Julio Joey C. Culliao, our beloved Vice Mayor of Mankayan.
Vice Mayor Culliao was a truly dedicated public servant, a passionate leader, and a true friend. His love for his community and care for the wellfare of his fellow citizens will forever be remembered.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of Vice Mayor Culliao during this difficult time. We stand united with the Municipality of Mankayan in this period of mourning.
May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his legacies and good stories continue to inspire us to serve with selflessness and dedication that he so graciously demonstrated throughout his life.
