Barangay polls generally peaceful in Ilocos Norte

Where’s my name? People search for their names in the registered list of voters at Shamrock Elementary School in Laoag City on Election Day. (Lei Adriano)

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

Aside from several incidents of alleged harassment and arrest of persons for violating the liquor and the election gun ban, the October 28 barangay elections here were generally peaceful according to P/Sr. Supt. Gerardo Ratuita, acting provincial director.

So far, two barangays in the towns of Marcos and Badoc earlier classified as under areas of immediate concern had no reported election-related violence, Ratuita said in an interview in Marcos town while monitoring other adjacent municipalities with intense political rivalries.

The provincial director appealed to all candidates and supporters to remain calm and respect the rule of law.

In Currimao town, at least three persons at Barangay Victoria were apprehended by the police for trespassing and were also positive of alcoholic breath, said Currimao police chief Ryan Retotar. He said the police is already preparing appropriate charges to be filed against them.

Police Insp. Joseph Baltazar of the Bangui police station also confirmed report of indiscriminate firing at Sitio Ubbog, Barangay San Lorenzo in Bangui. As of press time, the police is preparing charges against the suspect.

In Piddig town, a family of three was allegedly “abducted “on their way home to vote on October 28. The police said relatives claimed they were brought to a candidate for barangay chairman headquarters but the head of the family clarified later on that they were just invited to “drop by” prior to casting their vote in their designated election precinct.

In Laoag City, a group commotion was reported at Plaridel Elementary School but was immediately controlled by responding police authorities.

Radio reports also showed massive vote buying in some barangays ranging from P100 to P500 per voter, and which were being brought to the doorsteps of voters enclosed in sample ballots a night before election day.

COMELEC set up express lanes for PWDs, senior citizens, and detainees. (Lei Adriano)

Comments

Empanada festival: A celebration of good taste and good life

By Dominic B. dela Cruz & Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporters BATAC CITY—If there is one thing Batac is truly proud of, it would be its famous empanada-making business that has nurtured its people over the years. Embracing a century-old culture and culinary tradition, Batac’s empanada claims to be the best and tastiest in the country with its distinctive Ilokano taste courtesy of its local ingredients: fresh grated papaya, mongo, chopped longganisa, and egg. The crispy orange wrapper and is made of rice flour that is deep-fried. The celebration of this city’s famous traditional fast food attracting locals and tourists elsewhere comes with the City Charter Day of Batac every 23 rd of June. Every year, the City Government of Batac led by Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta commemorate the city’s charter day celebration to further promote its famous One-Town, One Product, the Batac empanada. Empanada City The Batac empanada festival has already become...

Free dormitories eyed for Nueva Era students in LC, Batac

Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Nueva Era , Ilocos Norte—The municipal government here, headed by Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida is planning to establish dormitories in the cities of Laoag and Batac that will exclusively cater to college students from the said cities. “Sapay la kuma ta maituloyen iti mabiit tay ar-arapaapen tayo ken iti munisipyo a maipatakderan kuma dagiti annak tayo a college students nga agbasbasa idiay siyudad iti Batac ken Laoag iti libre a dormitoryo a bukod da ngem inggana nga awan pay ket an-anusan mi paylaeng nga ibaklay kenni apo bise mayor iti pagbayad da iti kasera aggapu iti bukod mi a suweldo malaksid dagitay it-ited iti munisipyo ken iti barangay nga stipend da kada semester, ” Garvida said. Garvida added that the proposed establishment of dormitories would be a big help to the students’ parents as this would shoulder the expenses of their children for rent and likewise they would feel...

P29 per kilo rice sold to vulnerable groups in Ilocos region

BBM RICE. Residents buy rice for only PHP29 per kilo at the NIA compound in San Nicolas town, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. The activity was under a nationwide pilot program of the government to sell quality and affordable rice initially to the vulnerable sectors. (Lei Adriano) San Nicolas , Ilocos Norte —Senior citizens, persons with disability, and solo parents availed of cheap rice sold at PHP29 per kilogram during the grand launching of the Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) Rice held at the National Irrigation Administration compound in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. “ Maraming salamat Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa inyong pagmamahal sa Region 1 lalong-lalo na sa bayan namin sa San Nicolas,” said Violeta Pasion, a resident Brgy. 18 Bingao in this town. The low-priced grains were sourced from the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) contract farming with irrigators' association members in the province. Along with Pasion, Epi...

The Ilocos Times

Search This Blog