Solutions to Baguio’s worsening traffic condition need joint undertakings by the city government and national agencies, as the number of registered vehicles traversing the city’s roads reached more than 56,000.
YEAR OF THE EARTH PIG -- There was revelry in Baguio’s main thoroughfares when members of the Filipino-Chinese community celebrated the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival with a grand parade that saw throngs of people lining up the streets to join the most important festival for the Chinese. -- Harley Palangchao
Another Cordilleran who served the region most of his career in the police service is set to be promoted to one-star rank in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Feb. 12.
The Cordillera is not spared from the increasing number of measles cases.
The land beside the Baguio Convention Center where the remaining tree park in Baguio City’s central business district stands will not be sold and will not be allowed to be converted into a commercial area, the Government Service Insurance System assured last week.
After three years in hiding, the maid who is the prime suspect in the killing of a 15-year-old girl in Baguio City and has a string of robbery cases was arrested by authorities in Alaminos City, Pangasinan last week.
City
KIDS’ CALL -- Baguio’s school children continue their call for President Rodrigo Duterte to save the pine trees at the GSIS property beside the Baguio Convention Center and fronting SM City Baguio. Mayor Mauricio Domogan promised to act on their behalf and to bring the letters they wrote to the attention of the President to save the pine stand for future generations. -- Bong Cayabyab
TIMELESS CUSTOMS-- Indigenous peoples from clustered barangays of Sagada in Mountain Province presented various cultural practices and traditions during the street dancing and cultural presentations of the 8th Etag Festival and town fiesta last week. Countless foreign visitors were impressed that the century-old tradition has been preserved for the present generation. -- Redjie Cawis
BUED RIVER CLEANUP -- More than 500 volunteers participated in the massive cleanup drive along the stretch of the Bued River traversing Kennon Road on Feb. 8. The DENR-CAR and the Provincial and Community Environment and Natural Resources Office spearheaded the activity that aimed to involve all stakeholders in protecting and preserving the river against further pollution. -- Redjie Cawis
UNICYCLE KIDS -- Growing up at the biking area of Burnham Park, children of bike concessionaires expand their skills by learning how to ride unicycles and thus call themselves the “unicycle kids.” Burnham Park remains one of the areas where the public could freely exercise and people could perform other physical activities to improve their health. -- Ofelia Empian
SPRING FESTIVAL AWARDEES -- The city government of Baguio led by Mayor Mauricio Domogan and officers of the Baguio Filipino-Chinese community join the 2019 awardees from various fields (from l to r): Baguio City Jail Female Dormitory Warden C/Insp. April Rose Ayangwa, Engr. Felino Lagman represented by Baguio Water District General Manager Salvador Royeca, Mark Jefferson Ng, Rizaldy Comanda, Roland Wong, and Marc Janssen Pe. With them is Consulate of the People’s Republic of China in Laoag City, Consul Chen Jing. -- Bong Cayabyab
VALLEY COFFEE -- The 2nd La Trinidad Coffee Festival brought together various coffee growers and enthusiasts during the weeklong festivity that strengthened the bond of the growers in promoting the importance of coffee production for economic growth. The local government unit also encouraged the farmers to join the La Trinidad Arabica Coffee Producers Association for them to have easier access to government support, which could help them in growing and processing coffee. -- Ofelia Empian
DEFEND THE BELT -- Following two losses in Team Lakay championship roster, Brave Combat Federation bantamweight world champion Stephen Loman (extreme left) will defend his belt at all costs when he faces Elias Boudegzdame in Brave 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena on March 15. -- Harley Palangchao