Lalamove to set up typhoon relief operations for farmers in recently launched Baguio City serviceable area

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After recently launching its on-demand delivery services in Baguio City, Lalamove has been in talks with the local government to aid over 80 farmers during times of typhoon and produce oversupply. With the support of City Mayor Benjamin “Benjie” Magalong, the leading on-demand delivery platform aims to ensure farmers’ earnings are secured in times of crisis and to reduce produce waste.

As a critical hub for the distribution of vegetables from the Cordillera Administrative Region, Baguio City’s farmers are vulnerable to oversupply issues especially during typhoon season and “Ber” months.

Lalamove’s aid comes during crucial times when farmers’ produce are left unsold, spoiled, and thrown away, resulting to the farmers’ loss of earnings. According to Djon Nacario, Lalamove Philippines Managing Director, the platform is working hand-in-hand with the Baguio local government to support the farmers’ needs during such incidents.

“The agricultural sector is vital to the Philippines. Amid the typhoon season, we have discussed with Mayor Magalong that should the farmers need assistance, Lalamove is ready to rescue-buy their produce, which will be donated to repository markets and communities in need,” explained Nacario.

Magalong expressed his support, saying, “Lalamove’s support to the Baguio City farmers cultivates hope and growth for our community, contributing to a more sustainable agricultural sector in the region.”

Lalamove is determined to extend this initiative to more farmers and markets across Metro Manila in collaboration with LGUs and other parties interested to serve as repository markets for the rescued produce.

“Lalamove is not just about moving goods; it’s about moving lives forward,” said Nacario, adding, “As a testament to our commitment to continuously empower communities, this is just the beginning of the support we aim to provide to Baguio City and to the agricultural sector.”

Catriona, LoveYourself launches new HIV care center in Baguio City

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(BAGUIO, Philippines) – LoveYourself's global ambassador – Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, led the grand opening of "Balay Marvi," a community center offering holistic care to people to protect themselves against HIV.

Gray shared there's still a lot of stigma surrounding HIV, hence "What we want to do is to really empower the community." She highlighted the importance of having a safe space where people can access HIV and sexual health services in Baguio City.

On the vital role government plays, Gray also urged the local government units to continue supporting the advocacy and communities working for it because it's something the community urgently needs.

"Hopefully, our surrounding regions, who maybe don't have this type of community center can really look at Baguio City as one of the shining examples of how it can be replicated, how it can be done, and how the community can really be reached," Gray said.

Together with Gray, Baguio City District Representative Mark Go and City Councilor Levy Orcales also graced the launch ceremonies held on the 9th of October at Azalea Hotel and Residences. Both local officials expressed support.

Orcales shared, "We decided that there should be a localized version of our HIV and AIDS Law," recognizing a differentiated approach to combat the epidemic. He also said, "We are trying to convert all youth centers in the City of Baguio as safe spaces in the barangay levels," adding that there are 129 barangays in the City.

In his speech, Rep. Go offered assistance to thrust new laws at the national level that would ensure the effective implementation of HIV programs in the country. Meanwhile, the Department of Health-Cordillera Administrative Region's representative Cherrie Caluza also aired the agency's support for Balay Marvi and the community's efforts to address the HIV situation.

LoveYourself founder and executive director Ronivin Pagtakhan said, "We observed that many clients from northern provinces go down south in Metro Manila to seek care and support, and this is something we want to address — to provide northern Luzon clients access to sexual health services, and a community that is considered a safe space for them."

As one of the country's leading community organizations for differentiated sexual health services, LoveYourself offers innovations in the HIV advocacy, especially the country's first WHO pre-qualified HIV self-test kit, 'SelfCare.' The group also highlighted the availability of another layer of HIV prevention called Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a daily pill taken by an HIV-negative person to protect themselves against the virus.

Being a one-stop shop, Balay Marvi provides differentiated testing approaches, multiple prevention methods, and treatment, support, and care. Passers-by can also get free condoms and lube.

The Balay Marvi was named after its long-time supporter and partner, Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. (PSFI), Deputy Executive Director Marvi Trudeau. The first-ever LoveYourself Diamond Award was conferred to her for her unwavering support of the group and passion for helping the advocacy.

The community center also matches the arts and culture of Baguio with its design and a huge mural hand painted by LoveYourself volunteers.

It is also made possible thru the Global Fund PROTECTS project grant implemented by PSFI and LoveYourself, under the Champion Community Centers.

PROTECTS is the Global Fund HIV grant for 2021 to 2023 that focuses on scaling-up prevention and testing strategies employed by community-based organizations (CBOs), like LoveYourself and partner local government units to expand access points across the country and provide PrEP and HIV self-testing kit supplies. It also enhances the capacities of CBOs to ensure their effectiveness and sustainability in service provision and advocacy.

Located at Lopez Building, Room 303, Session Road, Baguio City, the center is open from Wednesday-Sunday from 12:00 NN – 7:00 PM. To avail of Balay Marvi's services, clients can set an appointment at www.loveyourself.ph.

DOT chief visits Baguio City, touts cultural tourism with creative crawls

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The Department of Tourism (DOT) touts cultural tourism in Baguio as it remains optimistic that initiatives such as the Ibagíw Festival will sustain the treasured traditions and art forms of the city.  

 Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat at the Baguio Convention Center with National Artist for Film Kidlat Tahimik. Photo courtesy of Denison G. Manuel

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said that the DOT will continue to promote Baguio as a creative city and support its development for arts and culture. The move to highlight Baguio’s cultural tourism comes as the city celebrates Ibagiw 2020, a month-long creative festival that showcases its rich and vibrant culture and history. 

“Baguio is more than just its natural wonders, and we want more Filipinos to rediscover what UNESCO designated as a Creative City for Crafts and Folk Arts. Initiatives like Ibagiw will certainly help revive tourism in the region and jumpstart the local economy,” said Secretary Puyat. 

Puyat visited Baguio to see Ibagiw 2020’s highlights such as its lineup of creative crawls and series of tours that showcase Baguio’s artistic and cultural heritage sites. 

She added, "Experiencing the Ibagiw 2020 festival ensures the bright future of Baguio’s creative economy while keeping its traditions and art forms alive.” 

She began the tour at the newly-refurbished Baguio Convention Center, with an ongoing exhibit called “Interlinked.” The Tourism Secretary personally met with National Artist for Film Kidlat Tahimik who created pieces that explore themes of “community, collective memory, personal and cultural identity, environmental activism, social commentary, contemporary society, humor, and local color" together with local artists.  

On the spot weaving at the Sunshine Park for the Art in the Park Opening Ceremony.

She also visited the Art in the Park at Sunshine Park to witness different activities such as spot painting by local visual artists, craft demonstrations by local artisans such as textile-weaving and wood-carving, and a photo exhibit of native plants in the Philippines.

Local artists showcase their artworks at Sunshine Park for the Art in the Park Opening. The exhibit will run until November 30, 2020.

Meanwhile, those who want to participate in the crawl can explore the Mirador Hill, a nine-hectare Jesuit property that offers breathtaking views of Baguio and Benguet’s breathtaking views. This is followed by a trip to the BenCab Museum where works of the national artist for Visual Arts Benedicto Cabrera, other Filipino masters, and rising contemporary creatives are exhibited.

National Artist for Visual Arts Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera spearheads the Wood Carving Competition held at BenCab Museum

Another itinerary that is part of the creative crawl is Ili-Likha Artists Village, the brainchild of Kidlat Tahimik. Built around trees redesigned with recycled materials, the village showcases artistic works, and serves as an inspiration hub for local and emerging artists. 

This is followed by a trip to the Mandeko Kito Artisanal Market, an arts and crafts fair organized by the University of the Philippines Baguio, to feature local talent in the Cordillera Region. Lastly, guests will visit the Museo Kordilyera, the first ethnographic museum in the northern part of the country. Its collection includes works that celebrate the regional culture and the heritage. 

DOT’s support of Baguio’s rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship in wood carving, silver craft, weaving, tattooing, and more could help support the livelihood of locals and help the city recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

“The pandemic has brought on challenges for everyone, especially those working in the tourism industry. Creative crawls bring guests to places they may not have visited before, thus supporting more locals. This means no one gets left behind as we rebuild tourism,” shares Puyat.

Those who wish to go to Baguio after Ibagiw 2020 can still experience the creative crawl through accredited tour operators. 

For more information about the Philippines, visit app.philippines.travel.