17/07/2026
𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗣𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗘, 𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗥 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝟭𝟵𝟵𝟬 𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗛𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗞𝗘
Thirty-six years after the devastating July 16, 1990 Luzon earthquake, the City Government of Baguio gathered at the City Hall Garden to honor those who lost their lives, recognize the heroism of volunteer rescuers, and reaffirm its commitment to building a safer and more disaster-resilient city.
Held under the National Disaster Resilience Month theme, “Naghahanda at Kumikilos, Tungo sa Panatag na Bagong Pilipinas,” the annual commemoration opened with city officials and members of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) writing messages of hope, reflection, and commitment before signing the city's Resilience Time Capsule — a symbolic pledge to preserve the lessons of the past for future generations.
In his opening remarks, Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong reflected on the immense challenges Baguio endured following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in 1990 and the extraordinary resilience demonstrated by its people. He emphasized that while the tragedy remains one of the city's darkest chapters, it also became the foundation for stronger disaster preparedness, leading to the institutionalization of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) as a department and the continuous strengthening of disaster mitigation and incident command system.
Congressman Mauricio G. Domogan likewise recalled the collective response that emerged in the aftermath of the disaster, paying tribute to the countless volunteers—particularly the miners from Baguio and Benguet — who risked and, in some cases, gave their lives in search-and-rescue operations to save those trapped beneath the rubbles.
"Their courage and selfless service remain enduring symbols of compassion and solidarity in times of crisis," he said.
Earthquake survivor Rafael Resuello recounted how he lost his arm when he was trapped at the collapsed building of the University of Baguio.
City councilors Betty Lourdes Tabanda, Leandro Yangot, and Peter Fianza also shared their personal experiences of surviving the earthquake and its powerful aftershocks, underscoring the importance of preserving these stories so that younger generations may continue to learn from the past.
The commemoration concluded with the offering of flowers in memory of the earthquake victims and the brave rescuers who made the ultimate sacrifice, followed by a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony representing the city's continuing commitment to resilience, preparedness, and safer communities.
In his closing message, Councilor Paolo Salvosa emphasized that disaster resilience is built not only through infrastructure and emergency plans but also through a united community where every citizen, volunteer, and institution plays a vital role.
He said as Baguio remembers the events of 1990, the city also looks ahead—strengthening preparedness, nurturing volunteerism, and ensuring that the lessons written in its history continue to guide future generations toward a more resilient tomorrow. - Karl Alexandre Bugaoan & Rica Loreine Borbon (UC-PIO Interns), JM Samidan
