The Ilocos Times

The Ilocos Times Outstanding Ilocano Awards, which began in 2012, recognize individuals whose excellence, dedication, and service have made a meaningful impact ibn Ilocos and beyond. Meet our 2025 awardees whose contributions, in their respective spheres of influence, uplift communities and drive positive change. Virgilio M. Calajate Public Service A dedicated public servant, an accomplished businessman, and a steadfast leader, Hon. Virgilio M. Calajate has spent three decades championing the welfare of his people. Beginning his journey as Barangay Captain of Gabut Norte in 1993, he led with commitment and vision, transforming his community into a model of governance, sustainability, and peace. In 2023, under his leadership, Gabut Norte stood alone as the only barangay in Badoc to obtain the Seal of Good Local Governance for Barangay —a testament to his dedication to effective governance. By 2024, through his support, inspiration, and mentorship, three barangays followed sui...

LAOAG CITY—Another barangay in Ilocos Norte has been added to the “red zone map” of African swine fever (ASF), provincial veterinarian Loida Valenzuela confirmed on Feb. 26, 2025. In an interview, Valenzuela said surveillance operation is ongoing within the 300-meter radius of the affected piggery farm at Brgy. Alejo Malasig in Vintar, Ilocos Norte, as around 300 pigs are needed to be culled to arrest the further spread of ASF to nearby areas. Barangay Rayuray in the city of Batac has been tagged recently as a “red zone area” due to single case of ASF. Fortunately, it was immediately contained due to the residents’ cooperation with the Bantay ASF Task Force. “We are encouraging our livestock raisers to observe biosecurity measures both housing improvement and change in their hog raising practices,” Valenzuela told the Philippine News Agency on Wednesday. To minimize damage, farmer-clients are advised to insure their livestock to protect their source of livelihood. “Good thing...

Infographic courtesy of DOLE Ilocos Norte LAOAG CITY—The Dept. of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and several private companies here have teamed up to boost the special employment of students and out-of-school youth (OSY) in the province. Janelyn Martin, DOLE Ilocos Norte head, said that around 550 jobs are open for students and OSY with the possibility to be hired as part-time or permanent employees. The Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) aims to provide temporary employment to poor but deserving students, out-of-school youth, and dependents of displaced or would-be displaced workers during summer and/or Christmas vacation or any time of the year to augment the family’s income and help ensure that beneficiaries are able to pursue their education. To further maximize the contribution of SPES to the success of young Filipinos and to the country’s job generation and facilitation efforts, the Marcos administration has strengthened the program and increased its budget allo...

By Leilanie G. Adriano OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST. Hidilyn Diaz talks about the role of education in developing future weightlifters, at a press conference on Feb. 21, 2025 in Ilocos Norte. She also said weightlifting should be a regular event in the Palarong Pambansa. Leilanie Adriano LAOAG CITY—Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz is on a mission to make young Filipinos love and engage in sports, particularly weightlifting. Diaz is touring Ilocos Norte to inspire and develop the next generation of athletes. The country’s first Olympic gold medalist recently met with officials of the Dept. of Education to advocate weightlifting to be included as a regular event in the Palarong Pambansa, rather than just a demonstration sport. "We really have to work on spreading the sport by having events and to have education for technical officials and coaches,” Diaz said in an interview on Feb. 21, 2025, noting that the key to weightlifting education is to start from top to bottom. She ...

By Dominic C. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Laoag City —All brgy tanods in this are expected to receive additional benefits, Laoag City councilor Roger John Fariñas announced after they approved an ordinance calling for those. Fariñas, who sponsored the measure, said Section 393 of the Local Government Code of 1991 (LGC) states that barangay officials, including barangay tanods and members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa, shall receive honoraria, allowances, and such other emoluments as may be authorized by law or barangay, municipal, or city ordinance. He also said that Chapter 4, Section 393 (d), of the LGC, provides, that, “All duly appointed members of the barangay tanod brigades or their equivalent, which number shall not be more than twenty (20) in each barangay, shall be granted insurance or other benefits during their incumbency, chargeable to the barangay of the city or municipal government to which the barangay belongs’’. Section 16 of the LGC further provides that every loc...

Vintar Mayor Richard Degala formally announces to the members of the media the 24-hour operation of the Vintar District Hospital starting Feb. 10, 2025 as he thanked Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew M. Manotoc for giving additional manpower for the said hospital’s operations. ( Doms Dela Cruz) Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Vintar , Ilocos Norte—Town Mayor Richard Degala formally announced that the operation of the Vintar District Hospital is now open on 24-hours staring Feb. 10, 2024. “Napalalo iti ragsak ken yaman ko ta finally , matungpalen tay nabayagen a kalkalikaguman dagiti appo a kakailiak ditoy Vintar aglalo dagitay padak a taga Surong ta ag 24 orasen daytoy Tamdagan District Hospital tayon wennu Vintar District Hospital’ en tapnu mas mapaalisto a mataming ta no adda emergency ket talaga a marigatan dagti padak a taga away a maitaray dagiti pasyente”, Degala said. The mayor thanked the provincial government of Ilocos Norte headed by Governor Matthew Joseph M. M...