BAGUIO CITY August 15 – Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar committed to Baguio and Benguet officials his support for the desire of the two local governments to host the 2018 Palarong Pambansa that will project the two strategic areas as a premier sports and recreation center outside Metro Manila.

Andanar, who was in the city over the weekend to advance the government's effort to strengthen the provincial and city information officers network, said he fully supports the planned participation of Baguio and Benguet in the upcoming bidding of the hosting of next year's Palarong Pambansa because the sports facilities in the two contiguous areas are almost complete enough to accommodating the simultaneous conduct of numerous sports events.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan thanks the Philippine Sports Commission for helping the city government for the staging of Sports For Peace Children's Games themed "Para Sa Kabataan, Para Sa Kapayapaan. PARA SA INANG BAYAN!" during the three-day indigenous games held at Baguio Athletic Bowl August 16-18. - By Bong Cayabyab

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar takes time to hear the plight of dialysis patients through association head and kidney patient Ramon Dacawi during Andanar's visit here last week. Andanar promised to support the current signature campaign for the national government to make dialysis a free treatment in the country. - Photo by Rosa Moresto

BAGUIO CITY – The approved Smoke-Free Baguio Ordinance's success hinges greatly on the full participation and cooperation of the public.

This was stressed by Mayor Mauricio Domogan during a Smoke-Free Baguio Task Force training-workshop held Tuesday and Wednesday at El Cielito Hotel, here, conducted by the city government and World Health Organization (WHO) country office.

Igorot boys wearing G-string aged 12 and below show off their skill in "Kadang-Kadang" Children ages 12 and below try for the first time the "Pana" (bow and arrow) with the supervision of coaches during the staging of Sports For Peace Children's Games themed "Para Sa Kabataan, Para Sa Kapayapaan. PARA SA INANG BAYAN!" during the three-day indigenous games held at Baguio Athletic Bowl August 16-18. The Children's Games was initiated by the city government with the support of the Philippines Sports Commission. - By Bong Cayabyab

Baguio's children aged 12 and below try their skill in "Gayang" ( Javeline Throw) fashioned out-from bamboo stick with the supervision of coachesChildren ages 12 and below try for the first time the "Pana" (bow and arrow) with the supervision of coaches during the staging of Sports For Peace Children's Games themed "Para Sa Kabataan, Para Sa Kapayapaan. PARA SA INANG BAYAN!" during the three-day indigenous games held at Baguio Athletic Bowl August 16-18. The Children's Games was initiated by the city government with the support of the Philippines Sports Commission. - By Bong Cayabyab

BAGUIO CITY August 17 – Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan stressed city officials will not dip their fingers in the ongoing demolition of more than 350 illegal structures built within parts of the 94-hectare Baguio Dairy Farm because the matter is a purely legal issue.

The local chief executive explained the special writ of demolition was issued by the Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) and not the local government that is why city officials have no right to unduly interfere in the dismantling of the illegal structures amidst the persistent lobbying of the affected informal settlers.

BAGUIO CITY – The newly readjusted schedule of market values was presented to the public in the latest consultation held last Thursday.

Councilor Elmer Datuin, chair of the city council appropriations committee and city assessor Alamaya Addawe said taxpayers appeared more receptive to the new rates which were lower by an average of 26 percent than those in the original proposal.