Hail, Mountain Province

23/10/2026

Scheduled power interruption in Mountain Province, parts of Benguet and Quirino & Cervantes, Ilocos Sur on Tuesday, 27 October 2026

Time: 7:00 AM-3:00 PM

Affected: MOPRECO ( Mopreco Montanusa ) and BENECO ( Beneco - Benguet Electric Cooperative) (Atok, Sinipsip and Mankayan Substations)

Reason: Corrective maintenance activities along La Trinidad-Sagada 69kV Line

Specific affected areas are determined by the electric cooperatives. NGCP will exert all efforts to restore power earlier or as scheduled.

23/10/2026

PLGU MP extends financial assistance to fire victim in Bauko

Bauko— The Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Mountain Province, through the Barangay Muna Program of Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr., extended ₱10,000 in financial assistance to Camilo C. Dolipas, Sr. of Sitio Coputan, Barangay Lagawa, Bauko, Mountain Province, on October 23, 2026, following a fire that destroyed his family's two-story house.

The fire occurred around 12:55 a.m. on September 27, 2026, leaving the approximately 120-square-meter structure completely destroyed.

According to Dolipas, the fire started in the fireplace and quickly spread to two gasoline tanks, intensifying the flames. The house's wooden structure further contributed to the fire's rapid spread, making it difficult to extinguish.

Councilor Tomas B. Tanggacan, a neighbor of the affected family, reported that Dolipas' son, Larry C. Dolipas, sustained injuries while rescuing his younger sibling, who had been left behind when the fire broke out.

Governor Lacwasan, through his representative, Executive Assistant Winston V. Calde, said the financial assistance was intended to help the family meet its immediate needs after the incident and support its initial efforts to recover from the loss of their home.

The assistance forms part of the provincial government's continuing efforts to provide immediate support to families affected by fires, disasters, and other unforeseen emergencies through the Barangay Muna Program.

Social Welfare Officer II Grail L. Patiogo and members of the Dolipas family witnessed the turnover.

23/10/2026

PHO holds forum on mental health and well-being in the workplaces and communuties

BONTOC— The Provincial Government of Mountain Province, through its Provincial Health Office (PHO), held a Mental Health Forum at the Multi-Purpose Hall on October 23, 2026. This was attended by personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Department of Education- Mountain Province (DepEd- MP), Mountain Province State University (MPSU), Bontoc General Hospital, and employees of the Provincial Capitol.

“As the theme states, “En istorya ta: Adi ka maes-esa,” every person has a story to tell, and every experience deserves to be heard with understanding, respect, and compassion. By honoring their voices and personal stories within our unit, we can build a more informed and supportive workplace,” Provincial Health Officer I Carol D. Yawan stated in her opening message.

PHO Mental Health Coordinator Eleanor B. Batnag led the session on mental health awareness and stress management, explaining how recognizing stress and understanding its effects can help employees care for their emotional well-being. She also introduced Psychological First Aid (PFA), which provides practical and emotional support to people experiencing distress. With this, Batnag called for the importance of responding with compassion while respecting the dignity and personal boundaries of colleagues who may need assistance.

Moreover, Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center Program Officer, Dr. Karen N. Balanza, outlined common mental health conditions and their warning signs, including changes in sleeping patterns and appetite, mood changes, social withdrawal, neglect of personal care, and declining work performance. She noted that recognizing these changes can help employees become more aware of their own mental health and identify when colleagues may be experiencing difficulties.

In addition to raising awareness of mental health conditions, Dr. Claire B. Agyapas of the MPSU Office of Guidance and Counseling addressed su***de prevention and the importance of supporting people experiencing emotional distress. She encouraged the value of listening without judgment and encouraging those who may be struggling to seek appropriate assistance.

Lifestyle Medicine practitioner, Dr. Steven G. Pasayan, meanwhile, focused on stress, resilience, and well-being, outlining coping strategies employees can use when dealing with workplace pressures and personal challenges. He cited the importance of identifying sources of stress, understanding their effects on daily functioning, and developing healthy responses to demanding situations. According to him, these approaches can help employees manage professional responsibilities while remaining mindful of their own mental health.

Sharing her thoughts on the activity, Agnes Linda Estepa, one of the participants, recognized the importance of applying Psychological First Aid in responding to colleagues experiencing distress and thanked the PHO for organizing the forum.
“Psychological First Aid is something we should always keep in mind because it is one of the important steps we can take as employees in responding to colleagues who may be experiencing distress. We also appreciate the Provincial Health Office for organizing this kind of activity, which helps us understand mental health better and reminds us of the importance of supporting one another in the workplace,” Estepa said.

23/10/2026

Josephine S. Kiat-ong joins MPPPO-PAGPTD as religious sector representative

Bontoc - The Mountain Province Police Provincial Office - Provincial Advisory Group for Police Transformation and Development of Mountain Province (MPPPO-PAGPTD) welcomed Josephine Kiat-ong as its newest member during its regular meeting held in Sac-angan, Bontoc, on October 22, 2026.

PAGPTD Chairperson, Atty. Agosto C. Libang, administered the oath of office to Kiat-ong, who will represent the religious sector in the advisory body. Libang said PAGPTD representatives must reflect society's diverse sectors to fully assist Mountain Province police personnel in carrying out their duties.

Meanwhile, after the oath-taking, the group proceeded to the meeting to discuss further improving community relations with police personnel, implementing projects, and advancing the PNP Peace and Order Agenda for Transformation and Upholding the Rule of Law (PATROL) Plan.

23/10/2026

𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 || Personnel from the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) and Mountain Province Police Provincial Office paid a courtesy call to the Provincial Government on October 23, 2026.

The delegates were welcomed by Atty. Guwaye F. Moling on behalf of the Provincial Government.

The PNPA will be conducting its admission exam on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at the Mountain Province State University (MPSU). According to Moling, the PNPA will still be accepting walk-in applicants at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow, October 24, 2026, at MPSU.

📸: Contributed photos

22/10/2026

22/10/2026

Public hearing on proposed Provincial Ordinance on the regulation of mineral resource extraction in Mountain Province
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‎The Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Land Use, in collaboration with the Office of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources, conducted a one-day public hearing on the proposed provincial ordinance regulating the extraction of sand, gravel, quarry resources, small-scale mining, and other mineral resources within the territorial jurisdiction of Mountain Province, including the imposition of regulatory fees and charges, at the Mayaen Sports Complex on October 22, 2026,
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‎Provincial Government Assistant Department Heads (PGADHs) Engr. Andrew Magwilang and Atty. Raul I. Edan, together with Board Member Sally B. Ullalim, Chairperson of the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Land Use, and retired Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) staff and mining engineer Engr. Brent F. Pagteilan.
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‎Moreover, Atty. Edan presented the salient features of the proposed ordinance, outlining its key provisions and regulatory objectives.
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‎In her opening remarks, Board Member Sally B. Ullalim called the session to order and emphasized the importance of public participation in shaping the proposed measure.
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‎"Amin tayo ket makiparticipate tayo for this activity; this public hearing served as an opportunity for stakeholders to raise concerns and contribute to the improvement of the proposed measure before its final passage. Nu anya ti pagsaya-atan tayo ibaga tayo tapno mayat ti outcome na daytoy nga proposed ordinance, she said.
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‎Municipal Mayor Franklin C. Odsey was represented by Executive Assistant V Benedict P. Odsey, who welcomed the participants and acknowledged the importance of the consultation in addressing matters concerning the province’s natural resources.
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‎Residents, community leaders, and other stakeholders from Mountain Province attended the activity and were given the opportunity to share their insights, recommendations, and objections regarding the proposed ordinance. Their participation was part of the consultation process to gather relevant inputs from affected sectors and ensure their concerns were considered in formulating the final measure.
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‎During the open forum, Provincial Treasurer Rafael L. Lingbanan, PGADH Atty. Raul I. Edan, representatives of the Office of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources, Board Member Ullalim, and Engr. Pagteilan.
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‎The discussion provided an avenue to clarify the provisions of the proposed ordinance and consider the participants' concerns.
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‎In her closing remarks, Ullalim thanked the participants for their active involvement and cooperation. She reiterated that the ordinance remained a proposal and that the comments, recommendations, and concerns raised during the hearing could be considered in refining the measure before its final passage.

22/10/2026

WATCH | The two-day training on “FeedNovation for Ruminants: Innovative, Low-Cost, and Sustainable Feed Management” equipped livestock raisers with practical knowledge and hands-on skills in sustainable feed management, including silage making, hydroponic fodder production, Urea Molasses Mineral Block (UMMB) preparation, and feed formulation.

(Click the link to read full story:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Evj6EC7kM/?mibextid=wwXIfr)

22/10/2026

LOOK | More photos from the two-day training on “FeedNovation for Ruminants: Innovative, Low-Cost, and Sustainable Feed Management” at Bayle Hometel, Sac-angan, Bontoc, and practicum at the Provincial Veterinary Office on October 21–22, 2026.

(Click the link to read full story: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CddTJuBWx/)

22/10/2026

We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of DALEN DAWING GAPAYAN PANGOSFIAN. A long-time staff of our Provincial Legal Office.

We join the family in mourning this immense loss and pray for your strength and comfort. May Dalen rest in eternal peace.