TEACHERS DAY!

On this special occasion of Teachers’ Day, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our teachers who have been tirelessly working beyond the call of duty. Day after day, you prepare lessons, design creative activities, and dedicate countless hours to ensure that learning remains worthwhile and engaging for our students. Indeed, you are the potters of our future leaders and nation-builders. As you continue to instill wisdom and values in the hearts of our students, may you be reminded the difference you make lasts long even after the school day ends. When our children one day become leaders, public servants, and stewards of our communities, we pray that the culture and values our forebears safeguarded through the years such as “inayan” will remain part of who they are because of your guidance. The sacrifices you make are truly what strengthen and sustain our community. “My teacher, my hero” may sound cliché, but it is a timeless truth we should always carry in our hearts. As William Arthur Ward once said: “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” And you, our dear teachers, are the true inspiration of our lives. Happy Teachers’ Day!

LMP-BENGUET OFFICERS TAKE OATH

The newly elected officers of the League of Municipalities (LMP)-Benguet Chapter, led by elected President and Mankayan Mayor Cesar R. Pasiwen, officially took their oath of office before Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas at the Provincial Capitol on Wednesday, September 24. The ceremony marked the formal assumption of duties of the officers elected during the LMP-Benguet Chapter elections held on September 8, 2025, at the Legislative Building, Provincial Capitol. The other officers are the following: Secretary-Mayor Rex Alwin G. Aquisan Treasurer-Mayor Erik Donn Ignacio Auditor-Mayor Juan D. Esnara Public Relations Officer-Mayor Harris M. Dizon Boards of Directors: Mayor Fausto T. Labinio Mayor Julius M. Amos Mayor Bernard S. Waclin Mayor Alfredo B. Dacumos Jr. Mayor Clarita P. Sal-ongan Mayor Agustín J. Tello Mayor Franklin L. Smith Mayor Roderick C. Awingan Facilitated by the Department of Interior and Local Government-Benguet, headed by PD Regina Elizabeth L. Mammag, the oath-taking ceremony highlighted the continuing collaboration among the Municipal Local Chief Executives, together with the Provincial Government, in advancing responsive and inclusive local governance in the Province.

ANOTHER INTERNATIONAL WIN FOR BENGUET PRIDE

The Provincial Government of Benguet, headed by Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas, proudly congratulated Mr. Jhaymie Sebio Gayman, a native of Taba-ao, Kapangan, for his remarkable win at the I-1 World Muay Thai Championship-57Kg Category held recently at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Hong Kong. Mr. Gayman, accompanied by Ms. Sharma Devaiah G. Buteng, Coach of Team Philippines for I-1 World Muay Thai Championship, brought immense pride to the country and to the Province as he clinched a silver trophy, one gold medal, and one silver medal in the event. With his achievements, Mr. Gayman holds the title of Asian I-1 Bantamweight Champion. Governor Diclas extended his congratulations to Gayman while underscoring that his achievement is a proud moment for the Province and a powerful source of inspiration for all I-Benguet. Joining Governor Diclas in extending their congratulations were Board Members Ruben L. Tinda-an, Alexander T. Fianza, Lady Charmain S. Molintas-Likigan, Jim G. Botiwey, Romeo K. Salda, Armando I. Lauro, Neptali B. Camsol, Benjamin G. Palbusa, and Oliver K. Paus.

MAY KAYO!

The Provincial Government of Benguet, together with different National Line Agencies, is joining the simultaneous nationwide Serbisyo Fair or the Handog Ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat on September 13, 2025 (Saturday), 8:00 a.m., at Benguet State University (BSU) Gymnasium, Km. 6, La Trinidad, Benguet. Services to be provided: PSA – National ID Registration – Birth registration assistance PhilHealth – Help Desk on PhilHealth membership, premium payment, employer registration and benefit availment (for all walk in clients) – Registration of Employees to YAKAP Facilities via eGOV App PDOHO – Medical Services PHO – Health emergency and other medical services DA / OPag – Selling of 10kg-rice (P20 per kilo) – Distribution of farm machineries to identified beneficiaries DOLE – Job Fair (1,327 job vacancies) – Tupad Payout – Awarding of livelihood items to identified beneficiaries – Awarding of GIP wages – Government One Stop Shop DENR – Distribution of seedlings (1,000 pcs) – Distribution of patent to NGAs/LGUs DTI – Business Counseling – MSME Product Display Philippine Red Cross – Benguet – Bloodletting TESDA – Skills demo on 3d Printing – Toolkits Distribution – Training Support Fund distribution – Information Dissemination of TESDA Programs and Services – Awarding of Enterprise Based Education and Training Certs. Benguet General Hospital – zero-billing – YAKAP registration

TUBA SB MEMBER TAKINAN-BALAGSA IS NEW PCL PREXY

Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas administered the oath of office of Tuba Councilor Reachelle C. Takinan-Balagsa, along with the other Provincial Councilors League (PCL) Officers for the term 2025-2028, on Friday, September 12. Governor Diclas congratulated the newly elected officials while thanking the outgoing PCL Interim President, Hon. Ghislyn Marave for her service, and the Department of Interior and Local Government Unit- Benguet, led by Provincial Director Regina L. Mammag for facilitating the event. The other elected officials are the following: Vice President: Lovio T. Nabe Secretary General: Dinglee B. Berto Treasurer: Bruno M. Canuto Auditor: Norberto I. Pacio PRO: Belmer G. Elis Business Manager: Marilou A. Zarate Board of Directors: Lloyd Matt Garette B. Luspian Vicente B. Kitongan Johnson D. Andiso Romeo P. Amboy Charlie S. Lingbanan Marlon B. Nginsayan Soriano M. Mendoza Edgar P. Ognaden Meanwhile, Hon. Marave also turned over the documents to the newly elected provincial officials. The event was also a celebration for the PCL Week. #HEALTHIERBenguet

HOLIDAY FOR TEACHERS

Governor Melchor D. Diclas through Executive Order No. 25 – 66 declares September 26, 2025 as Special Non-Working Holiday for all TEACHERS & NON-TEACHING PERSONNEL in Celebration of Teacher’s Day.

FARMERS RECEIVE CROP INSURANCE

Senator Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan, Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, spearheaded the distribution of checks via the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) as indemnity payments to atleast 174 Benguet farmers on Thursday, August 28, at the Provincial Engineering Office. The farmers include those who have suffered crop and livestock losses due to typhoons Dante, Emong, and Crising. At least 650 i-Benguet farmers are also set to receive the same indemnity payment. Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas, who is attending the National Universal Health Care Summit in Manila, expressed gratitude to the Senator and the Department of Agriculture for the insurance, emphasizing that while the amount may not cover the total loss, it is still a significant boost to the farmers. He also encourages all farmers to always report crop losses to their respective municipal agriculture office after the typhoons. Joining Senator Pangilinan were Vice Governor Marie Rose T. Fongwan-Kepes, Board Members Armando I. Lauro, Alexander T. Fianza, Ghislyn Marave, and Mayors Roderick C. Awingan and Rex Alwin G. Aquisan, PCIC Chairperson of BOD Romeo C. Salting, PCIC President Atty. Jovy C. Bernabe, and DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan. #HEALTHIERBenguet

SUPPORT TO SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas, together with Ms. Julie P. Tabcao, Senior Labor Employment Officer & Provincial Community Training and Employment Coordinator, turned over carpentry equipment to Kabayan Local Government Unit on Monday, September 8, at the Provincial Capitol. This program aims to empower the communities in the Province through the provision of tools and materials for skills development, livelihood, and employment. Receiving the tools were Mayor Rex Alwin G. Aquisan and Ms. Haydeeh A. Baldino, Private Secretary II/Community Training and Employment Coordinator. The municipalities are set to conduct trainings in September to October. #HEALTHIERBenguet

COUNTERPART FUNDING TO LUBAS BDRRM VEHICLE

Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas turned over a check amounting to P500,000 to the Barangay Local Government Unit of Lubas, La Trinidad, led by Punong Barangay Milagros Tinda-an Familan, as the provincial government’s counterpart funding for the procurement of a Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management vehicle (BDRRM) vehicle. Given on Tuesday, September 02, the funding complements the amount of P700,000 provided by the Municipal LGU of La Trinidad. The barangay is scheduled to procure the vehicle within the month, significantly enhancing its disaster response and emergency preparedness capabilities. #HEALTHIERBenguet

GOV DICLAS SUPPORTS PNP BENGUET PPO’S GULONG NG SUERTE PROJECT

Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas expressed his support as he served as the Guest of Honor and Speaker during the launch of the “Gulong ng Suerte”- Benguet project spearheaded by Benguet Provincial Police Office Provincial Director PCOL Lambert A Suerte. Held on Tuesday, September 2, at Camp Major Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, the project seeks to extend assistance to various i-Benguet beneficiaries. Governor Diclas commended the initiative for its benefit to the communities, while calling for support for the sustainability of the program. Meanwhile, PD Suerte expressed gratitude to the partners and donors for making the project possible. At least 25 beneficiaries benefited from the program, receiving brand new wheelchairs and food packs. Of these, 16 are physically-challenged individuals and nine are Benguet PPO personnel who have medical conditions. Each personnel also received P10,000 cash asssistance through the Provincial Advisory Group for Police Transformation and Development (PAGPTD) chaired by Governor Diclas. Also in attendance were PCOL Froiland B Lopez representing PBGEN Ericson D Dilag, Atty. Zane Mark D. Bongayon, NAPOLCOM-Benguet Provincial Officer, other PAGPTD members, and other members of the PNP. Photos and Info.: PNP Benguet PPO #HEALTHIERBenguet