Here’s a round-up of what’s happening in our part of the world:

Baguio officials ask nearby provinces (like Pangasinan) to help fund Baguio General Hospital. Why? Apparently, around 16-17% of BGH’s patients come from Pangasinan. Maybe this is a good argument for the re-nationalization of health service? More here.

Mayoyao, Ifugao adopts JICA Resident Representative as son of the municipality. Mr. Norio Matsuda “was instrumental in setting up of schools in Balangbang and Mayoyao Central School wherein the Japanese language and songs were taught and learned by the children.” Read more.

Philex Mining boasts about its increased profit (up 63%). No word on whether it increased its tax payments and whether these went to the province of Benguet where Philex gets its gold and copper.

Benguet State University to study climate change. According to its President, this is one of the ways the university could help in addressing the universal problem on the changing weather pattern, as it heads towards its goal of becoming one of the premier universities in Asia. Read more.

PNP to liberate Tineg, Abra from the New People’s Army? Huh! Haven’t we heard those kinds of pronouncements before? Report here.

Natonin, Mt. Province bans smoking in public places. But the ban applies only to minors according to a PIA news release which also reports that those who violate the ban “shall be penalized with a fine of P100 for the first offense and P300 for the second offense and every violation thereafter.”

Coming Up: The Ullalim festival scheduled 13-16 February in Kalinga to commemorate the province’s founding. Each municipality will present its own festival based on its significance and implication. Tinglayan will do the Unoy Rice Festival, Pasil the Salip Festival, Tanudan the Tanudan Festival, Balbalan its Manchatchatong Festival, Pasingan Festival of Pinukpuk and other cultural presentations from Amung Chi Bochong of Lubuagan. More here.