Category: News and Current Affairs

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.

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.

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.

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).

The Provincial Local Government of Benguet headed by Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas has allocated a total of P5,000,000.00 in counterpart funding to the Local Government of Kabayan and the Barangay Local Government Units (BLGUs) of Ambiong, Beckel, and Bineng of La Trinidad for the procurement of emergency response vehicles on Monday, January 6.

Of the total amount, Kabayan LGU received P3,000, 000.00, which will be used to procure a penetrator fire truck to improve their firefighting and emergency response capabilities.

Meanwhile, the barangays of Bineng, Ambiong, and Beckel were also given P1,000,000.00, P500,000.00, and P500,000.00, respectively, for their procurement of DRRM/ Emergency response vehicles.

Governor Diclas emphasized the importance of these efforts in bolstering the local capacity to respond effectively to disasters, noting that the new equipment will significantly improve the ability of communities to protect lives and properties, especially in times of crisis.

LDRRMO IV Abner Lawangen added that these vehicles will be very crucial in emergency situations, particularly given the challenge of mobility in small or congested areas. He added that the program’s sustainability is key to ensuring continued effectiveness in disaster response.

With the positive impact of this initiative, the province has allocated an additional funding of P25,000,000.00 for similar programs this year.

The Provincial Government of Benguet led by Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas hired a total of 206 Provincial School Board (PSB) education professionals under Contract of Service, including 166 guidance associates/values formation teachers, 60 regular teachers, and 9 Special education Teachers (SPET), with the aim of further strengthening the education system of the province by ensuring a balance approach to academic instruction and students’ well-being.

Governor Diclas reiterated his commitment to continuing the program, emphasizing the need for additional teachers in the public schools and highlighting the crucial role of guidance associates in providing psychosocial support to students through values education.

He also added that the hired educators would not only improve the current educational landscape of the province, but also provide them with the valuable professional experience, which will be helpful in securing permanent positions in the future.

The guidance associates will be teaching moral and ethical core values, implementing character development programs, and emphasizing virtues and ethical behavior. Their responsibilities extend to providing guidance and support in the implementation of various guidance program services such as career guidance/placement, information services, referrals, follow-up, testing, individual inventory, and psychological first aid, among others.

Meanwhile, the regular teachers will handle various subjects across different grade levels and the special education teachers will focus on students with disabilities, ensuring personalized and tailored instruction.

This reflects the province’s aim to fostering a holistic education system that addresses the academic and emotional needs of the students.