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.
Category: News and Current Affairs
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).
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.
Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas said the Provincial Government of Benguet provided medical and burial assistance to 2,873 residents from different municipalities in 2024.
This support, under the Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, aims to ease the financial burdens on vulnerable community members.
According to data from the Office of Provincial Social Welfare and Development, led by Ms. Melba Motio, the provincial government allocated a total of P21.8 million for the program. This funding helped indigent residents with expenses ranging from hospital bills and chemotherapy to dialysis treatments and burial costs.
Previously, beneficiaries could receive up to P5,000 in medical aid. Under Governor Diclas, this amount has been increased up to P20,000. Additionally, the program now allows residents to apply for assistance annually, up from the previous limit of three claims per lifetime.
Meanwhile, some 161 senior citizens also received cash assistance amounting to P1.5 million, while 51 residents were provided with P565K Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA).
Governor Diclas emphasized his commitment to both expanding the AICS program and strengthening the healthcare infrastructure in Benguet. As part of his HEALTHIER Benguet agenda, he has allocated funds to improve local health facilities, including dialysis centers, district hospitals, and the Benguet General Hospital (BeGH).
The Governor also acknowledged the support of Congressman Eric Go Yap in efforts to improve healthcare services for the residents of the province.
Residents seeking financial assistance can visit their respective Municipal Local Government Units (MLGUs) and consult the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices (MSWDO) for guidance on accessing the program.
Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas joined the miners of Loacan Itogon Pocket Miners’ Association as they celebrated the new year and miners’ day on Thursday, January 2.
With the theme, “Kedsang, Ulnos tan egmedukod ja bendisyon nen Apo”, “which translates to “Strength and unity with God’s immeasurable Grace,” the event highlighted the enduring spirit of the community.
