Category: News and Current Affairs

We were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Itogon former mayor Atty. Victorio Palangdan. He was a true inspiration. We will forever be grateful for his service and sacrifices.

Our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Apo Palangdan. We pray for peace and comfort at this time of sorrow.

“No on-oran, eg-onsang-at i dogan. Emekomkomboy i bekas, asukal, kaskada (vehicles couldn’t come up when it rained. We needed to carry our loads up here),” Regina Castillo, a resident of Bila, Bokod, shared as she expressed gratitude for the Provincial Government headed by Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas for the improvement project recently implemented along Binado-Kiweng and Palansa-Aponan-Acnip Provincial Road.

Governor Diclas has allocated P3 million for the widening and concreting of a bumpy and narrow section of the said road which had been a concern for the locals here. The project also included the construction of a slope protection to prevent slide.

“At least eg-maderder i nateng ta mayat malay kalsara (our produce would not be damaged since the road has been improved),” Castillo said. Most of the residents in this community of more or less 50 households get their living from farming.

Congratulations Narcilisa Ponase Talipnao, from Atok, on topping the December 2022 Criminologist Licensure Examination, as well as to all the passers.

Congratulations, too, King’s College of the Philippines – Benguet on making it to the list of TOP SCHOOLS for the said examination.

A greeting from Governor Dr. Melchor DaguinesDiclas.

Over a hundred households in two sitios in Gusaran, Kabayan are reaping benefits from the recently improved Junction-Diboong-Bangao Provincial Road.

Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas said the Provincial Government funded the concreting of the said road in response to the needs of the locals who are mostly farmers.

“This used to be muddy and slippery. Vehicles would also get stuck because it was a bumpy road,” Wilma Lamirez, resident, said in a local language.

She added the used-to-be poor condition of the road was a major concern as it could cause damages to vehicles.

Farmers here plant carrots, cauliflowers, and cabbage among others.

The P5 million project is also beneficial for students attending primary and secondary schools in the community.

“Students are now happy to go to school because at least the road has been paved,” Lamirez said.

Last year, the Provincial Government also funded and implemented a project which included the construction of four slope protections along the same road to prevent landslide on identified slide-prone sections.

The Provincial Government of Benguet headed by Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas welcomed government officials from Kochi Prefecture, Japan headed by Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Community, and Sports, Mr. Kouji Yokobatake, as they paid a visit to the Provincial Capitol yesterday, Jan. 17.

Gov. Diclas and the Kochi government leaders discussed future programs on agriculture, health, engineering, and tourism which complement the HEALTHIER Benguet development thrust of the Governor.

Mr. Model Search International 2023 Kenneth Jhayve Bautista paid a courtesy visit to Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas this morning, Jan. 17, at the Provincial Governor’s Office.

Bautista is the first iBenguet to win an international pageant title. He was also awarded Best in National Costume and Best in Swimwear. The said pageant was held in Vietnam last Jan. 7.

Meanwhile, Bautista also won 1st Runner-up during Mr. World Universe International 2022 held in Vietnam last year.

The international pageant title holder is an advocate of Cordilleran culture and identity. He is the founder and president of Binnadang Cultural Dance Group who promote Cordilleran culture and traditional dances.

Out of 81 Governors in the country, Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas ranked 15th while Congressman Eric Yap is 7th among 251 District Representatives, both in terms of work performance rating.

This is based on the statistical research conducted by the RP- Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMD).

Governor Diclas and Congressman Yap are the only Governor and Congressman from CAR who made it to the top list.

“For the year 2022, ratings and rankings are thoroughly assessed based on work performance. As the local chief executive, mayors have a diverse range of responsibilities. Governors are accountable for the execution of programs and initiatives, the enforcement of laws, and the implementation of the province development plan. Representatives are elected officials entrusted with representing constituents and enacting legislation,” RPMD said in a social media post.

The national performance evaluation survey for the year 2022 was conducted from November 27 to December 2, 2022, in each city or district in each region, it added.