HOUSE THAT CARABAO MILK BUILT. Members of the Timpuyog De San Marcelino Sustainable Livelihood Program Association Inc. pose for a photo in front of the house of their co-member, Edelberto Reyes Jr., in this undated photo. Reyes built his house through savings from carabao milk production. Lei Adriano By Leilanie Adriano DINGRAS, Ilocos Norte—A remote farming village here is not yet bidding goodbye to the carabao amid farm mechanization, as improved breeds can still bring more rewards than expected. Such is the case for at least 25 small farmers in Brgy. San Marcelino in this rice granary town of Ilocos Norte who are now reaping the benefits of dairy carabao farming. "First, I was skeptical. Who would think that a carabao can build me a house of my own?" said Edelberto Reyes Jr., a member of the Timpuyog De San Marcelino Sustainable Livelihood Program Association Inc. and a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), a conditional cash transfer program...
By Dominic B. dela Cruz, Staff Reporter City of Batac —Newly elected Batac Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Albert D. Chua led the inaugural session of the new set of members of the 7 th Sangguniang Panlungsod on June 7, 2025. Before the session formally started, Chua delivered his inaugural speech, focusing in the realization of the city’s goal thru team work and joint efforts by enacting ordinances and crafting resolutions that will propel Batac towards a brighter future. Chua looked forward in collaborating with the city councilors’ expertise in addressing challenges and opportunities that may come. “Let us embark this new journey with a shared vision for a better Batac and may our collective efforts and collaborative partnerships with the executive department headed by [Batac] Mayor Markee Chua bring pride, progress and prosperity to our city and out people,” Chua said. Chua likewise presented his legislative agenda in his first term as vice mayor of Batac a...