SAN ISIDRO, Luna, Apayao — Apayao is considering a 30% harvest limit for wild bee products as a possible way to protect native bee populations while allowing communities to earn from sustainable bee-related activities. The proposal emerged following a field study conducted by researchers from the University of the Philippines Los Baños and Kaohsiung Medical University in the yApayaos Biosphere Reserve. The study findings were presented during an exit conference on Oct. 5 at t

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan — The Tuguegarao City Government is seeking stricter enforcement against modified mufflers and exhaust pipes amid complaints over excessive vehicle noise, with barangay officials seeking authority to help apprehend violators and conduct checkpoints within their communities. A modified muffler refers to any alteration, removal or replacement of a vehicle’s original exhaust system that results in excessive, loud or disturbing noise. This includes open o

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — More than colorful costumes, traditional dances and festive performances, the Cordillera Festival of Festivals 2026 will bring the region’s stories, heritage and identity to one stage on Oct. 17. Now on its fifth edition, the annual festival organized by the Department of Tourism-Cordillera (DOT-CAR) will feature cultural celebrations from across the region, giving visitors an opportunity to experience the Cordillera’s diverse traditions in a single

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Ten college graduates from across the Cordillera were named the region’s outstanding students as the Search for the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines–Cordillera Administrative Region (TOSP-CAR) returned after a seven-year hiatus. The 10 awardees were recognized during the awarding ceremony for the 59th Search for TOSP-CAR held Oct. 4 at the Hotel Supreme Mall and Events Center in Baguio City. They are Shikainah Grace P. Accab of Easter College;

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Kalinga recorded a 36.36% drop in index crimes in the third quarter of 2026, with only 14 cases reported from July to September compared with 22 cases during the same period last year. Data from the Kalinga Police Provincial Office (KPPO), presented during the Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting on Sept. 30, showed that the decline was largely driven by the absence of physical injury cases and significant reductions in robbery and rape. Physical i

FEATURE For Ivan Pales Cosidon, being named one of the 2026 Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines–Cordillera Administrative Region (TOSP-CAR) is not simply a recognition of academic excellence. It is a reflection of four years spent trying to make leadership, journalism, academics and community service work together—often under pressure, sometimes with exhaustion, but always with a sense of responsibility. The Bachelor of Science in Biology graduate of Kalinga State Uni

BALBALAN, Kalinga — Balbalan recorded zero index and non-index crimes from July to September 2026, maintaining its status as one of the municipalities in Kalinga with no recorded crime during the third quarter. Data presented by the Kalinga Police Provincial Office (KPPO) during the Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting on September 30 showed that the municipality recorded no index crimes during the period. This was a decline from the two index crimes recorded in the thi

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The Provincial Government of Kalinga has distributed 75 percent of its 2026 Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) rice assistance, with all municipalities already covered and Tabuk City next for distribution. Provincial Agriculturist Nancy Aowat said the supplier has already delivered the rice allocation requested for Tabuk City, paving the way for its distribution to identified beneficiaries. “Regarding the rice subsidy, we have rolled out 75 percent of

FEATURE BAGUIO CITY — Questions over vehicle inspections, accident liability, escort fees and enforcement have surfaced following the implementation of Baguio City’s new safety requirements for heavy vehicles navigating the city’s steep roads. The concerns were raised in the comments section of a Baguio City Guide Facebook post on October 6, 2026, discussing City Ordinance No. 058, Series of 2026, which sets road-safety protocols for covered heavy vehicles entering and operat

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — More than ₱55.6 million in primary care funds has accumulated in Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) accounts in Kalinga, but only 37 percent of the province’s projected population has so far enrolled in the PhilHealth program. During the October 5, 2026 Kapehan meeting, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation-Kalinga, represented by PHO I Dr. Marilyn T. Duyan, reported that ₱55,636,505.20 in primary care funds had accumulated in the accounts of accredite

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The Kalinga Police Provincial Office (KPPO) will sustain checkpoints, patrols and other security operations in areas affected by the Butbut-Tulgao tribal conflict until another ceasefire or negotiation is reached to help resolve the longstanding dispute. PLtCol. George Acob said during the Kapehan meeting on October 5 that police presence will be maintained and intensified in strategic areas in Tinglayan and nearby communities while authorities pursue ef

LUBUAGAN, Kalinga — A ₱46.501-million irrigation project under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) is set to improve water access for farmers in Mabongtot, Lubuagan, marking what the provincial government described as Kalinga’s first PRDP-funded irrigation project. The project, officially listed by the Department of Agriculture-PRDP as the Improvement/Rehabilitation of Saod-Sucnip-Ambinjong-Ladog Communal Irrigation System, has a project cost of ₱46,501,000 and is

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The Kalinga Provincial Hospital (KPH) is preparing to become a YAKAP-accredited center, which would give qualified patients another access point to PhilHealth-covered outpatient consultations and medicine benefits. KPH Supervising Administrative Officer Raymond Palicas said the hospital is currently working to meet the accreditation requirements, including securing authorization for physicians who will provide YAKAP services. Once accredited, the KPH YAK

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Baguio City Health Services Office (CHSO) is stepping up its efforts to find around 500 people who may be living with HIV without knowing their status, as the city’s recorded cases reached 812 against an estimated 1,300 infections. Based on the latest CHSO report cited by the Baguio City Public Information Office, the city had 800 recorded HIV cases as of December 2025, with 12 additional cases identified from January to March 2026. The 12 newly

RIZAL, Kalinga — While the Juan M. Duyan Memorial District Hospital (JMDMDH) is experiencing an influx of patients and operating well beyond its bed capacity, Chief of Hospital Dr. Jun Beda Malecdan said the facility has enough manpower to attend to patients and ensure that the quality of healthcare services is not compromised. Like the Kalinga Provincial Hospital, JMDMDH, an 18-bed infirmary operated by the Kalinga Provincial Government in Rizal, is also experiencing a surge

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — A total of 132 police and military personnel have been deployed across conflict-affected areas in Tinglayan, Kalinga, as authorities sustain their efforts to prevent possible escalation of hostilities between the Butbut and Tulgao tribes. Kalinga Police Provincial Director PCol. Gilbert Fati-ig said the security deployment is intended to maintain peace on the ground while authorities investigate recent incidents and continue efforts to keep the two tribe