The Ilocos Times

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —The Dept. of Education chose Apaya Elementary School principal Joel N. Remigio as one of the 12 awardees of the Ulirang Guro in Filipino nationwide search. Laoag City schools division superintendent Dr. Cecilia Aribuabo proudly made the announcement stressing that the Laoag principal was chosen among thousands of teachers in the entire country. The search, spearheaded by the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino (KWF), had national artist Virgilio S. Almario as chairperson. Dr. Aribuabo hopes that this award would serve as an inspiration to other local teachers, especially those in her division, to follow Mr. Remigio’s footsteps. She added that the fact that Mr. Remigio is the sole awardee from Region I makes the city division especially proud of this award. Mr. Remigio, for his part, thanked the city division as well as the DepEd regional office for the trust and confidence given to him to represent the entire region ...

PHILIPPINE Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) breeders encourage farmers to plant early maturing and drought-tolerant rice varieties in preparation for the likely coming of El Niño this cropping season. El Niño is expected to hit the country the last quarter of 2014 and will last until the first quarter of 2015, based on the recent advisory by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). PAGASA predicted changes in the normal rainfall pattern generally resulting in varying dryness in most parts of the country. To maximize use of rainfall, PhilRice recommends the use of early-maturing varieties this 2014 wet season. “Early maturing varieties can be harvested before the drought comes so farmers can avoid it during the production period,” said Dr. Nenita V. Desamero, PhilRice breeder. For irrigated lowland PSB Rc10 (Pagsanjan) is highly recommended. Farmers may also plant NSIC Rc134 (Tubigan 4) and PSB Rc160 (Tubigan 14). ...

By Yvonne Almiranez Senate PRIB The Senate adopted a resolution commending the Filipino peacekeepers stationed at the Golan Heights for exhibiting bravery and resolve during a tense standoff against Syrian rebels. Senate Resolutions 876, taking in consideration Senate Resolutions 877, 881 and 899, introduced by Senators Manuel “Lito” Lapid, Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, Teofisto “TG” Guingona III and Antonio “Sonny Trillanes IV lauded the “extraordinary valor” shown by the Filipino peacekeepers.” According to the resolutions, the Filipino peacekeepers, together with the United Nations peacekeeping force, have been stationed in Golan Heights since 1974 to monitor a ceasefire between Israel and Syria. Of the 331-strong Filipino contingent serving as part of the United Nations Disengagement Force in the Golan Heights, 75 were encamped at the region’s Positions 68 and 69.     On August 28, 2014, Syrian rebels surrounded the two encampments and demande...

Young Ilocano artists enlivened the centennial arena stage as they battled and showcased their skills and talents in the Makoy Literary and Art Contest on September 12, 2014. The competition held annually is part of the week-long celebration of the 97 th birth anniversary of Ilocos Norte’s favorite son Ferdinand Edralin Marcos, fondly known in Ilocos as “Apo Makoy”. Spearheaded by the Provincial Education Office and Sirib Youth Office, various contests included ‘Kalesart’ exhibit, Ferdie and Imelda sing-a-like and look-alike contest, creative storytelling, quiz bee, and group singing contest. The ‘Kalesart’ exhibit featured uniquely-designed   kalesas   with   Apo Makoy   and Ilocos Norte’s famous icons such as the Paoay Church, Bangui Windmills and Burgos Lighthouse. The sing-a-like and look-alike contest was a search for singing partners in their Ferdie and Imelda get-ups performing Ilocano and Tagalog love songs. Elementary pupils creatively...

Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos meets DILG Sec. Mar Roxas at the Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol (Lei Adriano) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Laoag City —Touching down at the Laoag International Airport on Sept. 22, Dept. of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas along with Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Rep. Rodolfo Farinas  (1 st district, Ilocos Norte) and party arrived in the province to assure Ilocanos help is on the way to fast track recovery of typhoon victims in the province. In a briefing held at the Ilocos Norte Capitol attended by department heads and various local and national government agencies including Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Luis V. Singson, Mr. Roxas said good coordination of both the national and local governments in times of disaster helped a lot in ensuring public safety and preparedness. Responding to Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos’ call for help, a C130 plane of the Philippine Air Forc...

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Burgos , Ilocos Norte—Following the installation of additional 21 wind turbines in this windy town of Ilocos Norte, Energy Development Corp. (EDC), the geothermal power company of the Lopez Group is again exploring the possibility of setting up a solar project here. Burgos Mayor Cresente Garcia said a public hearing was recently conducted among concerned stakeholders for the proposed solar power project at Brgy. Saoit. As of press time, the proposed solar farm is currently being reviewed by the municipal council if it would be feasible to allow the same company to lay down solar panels in a private lot without causing any significant damage to the environment. In support of the national government’s priority agenda to provide clean and affordable energy to Filipinos under the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) also known as the “Green Energy Roadmap of the Philippines, the provincial government leads the way in hos...

President Obama announced on Saturday that he plans to put off executive action on immigration until after the midterm elections on Tuesday, November 4. “Executive action” means the President will enact immigration rules and regulations by himself without congressional action. So on Wednesday morning, November 5, expect the President to unveil (unleash?) his “executive action”. Many believe that he will grant amnesty to the estimated 12 million illegal aliens in the United States. Of course he will not call it “amnesty”. That word generates strong negative reaction from law abiding citizens. He will probably call it “path to citizenship,” or “deferred action for humanitarian reasons” or something palatable. Why will the President do that? Politics. Imagine 12 million new Democratic voters. The Democrats will control the country. Why is the President postponing his “executive action”? Politics. If he does it before the November midterm elections, the majority of the Amer...

Farm land devastated by a typhoon (IT file photo) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Laoag City —At least 800 Ilocano farmers will be selected as beneficiaries of a crop insurance the government grants to protect farmers from the impacts of climate change. According to provincial agriculturist Norma Lagmay, Ilocos Norte, which has been frequently hit by typhoon in this part of Luzon has been included in the more than P1 billion fund the Department of Budget and Management released as financial assistance to farmers around the country. Ms. Lagmay said the beneficiaries of the program have yet to be identified by the department. The government’s crop insurance program is meant to help farmers cope with financial losses once hit by typhoon and other natural calamities. A crop insurance is a risk management tool, enabling farmers to become more resilient and continue production despite severe weather and other challenges that impact their business. Since 1...

FM’S 97 TH  BIRTH ANNIVERSARY. In celebration of the 97th birth anniversary of President Ferdinand E. Marcos, a mass was held September 11, 2014 in Sta. Monica Church, Sarrat, Ilocos Norte attended by the Marcos Family and friends, local chief executives and local parishioners. The late President Marcos was born in Sarrat. (Alaric A. Yanos)   Da Real Makoy Concert featuring Rocksteddy held in celebration of the 97 th birth anniversary of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos on September 11, 2014 at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena in Laoag City. (Alaric A. Yanos)

Piddig FM station By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Piddig , Ilocos Norte—The local government unit of Piddig is set to operate a new FM station located in a cubicle at the second floor of its newly-inaugurated municipal building. Citing the importance of fast and reliable communication particularly in times of natural calamities, Piddig Mayor Eduardo “Eddie” Guillen said his administration initiated the establishment of an FM radio station to provide better and faster delivery of programs and services to its constituents. “We have so many on-going projects and programs in the municipality. So, we thought of putting up our own radio station to facilitate faster information dissemination drive especially when there is typhoon warning and the public needs to be alerted,” he said. As of this posting, the government-run 105.1-DWCN FM station is the first to be set up by a local government unit in Ilocos Norte covering a 40-kilometer radius which may also reach ...

Next door Hong Kong is, for many Filipinos, a shopping excuse that is just a two hours flight away. But the decision by China to restrict voting reforms for the former Crown colony set back the cause of free democratic elections. Effects will ripple out beyond those shopping malls. The National People’s Congress Standing Committee  decision drew battle lines in what pro-democracy groups  say is  a deepening confrontation over Hong Kong’s  political future—and of China, the New York Times notes. It clamped procedural barriers on candidates for the city’s leader’s post. These would ensure Beijing remained the gatekeeper to that position—and to political power over the city. What does that mean for those next door to Hong Kong, specially the Asean countries? The move shuts off dissent. Under President Xi Jinping, China is pressing its offensive in Hong Kong, “Beijing has chosen a showdown with a protest movement unlike any it has ever f...

Hundreds of San Nicolenses availed of the free medical-dental and mobile bloodletting activity conducted by the San Nicolas municipal government headed by Mayor Dr. Melanie Grace Valdez and Vice Mayor Dr. Alfredo P. Valdez Jr. in cooperation with the San Nicolas Parish Church. The mission was held at the F.E. Marcos Mini Cultural Center on September 7, 2014.  (Doms dela Cruz)

OUT OF NOWHERE, this tiny third class municipality famously known for the Basi Revolt during the Spanish era has been making a lot of noise lately. It first surprised the province by starting a coffee plantation with an eye on at least making a dent in the highly profitable coffee market in the country. With a 10-hectare plantation being planned and which would be implemented as public-private partnership, the Piddig municipal government, through Mayor Eduardo Guillen, has also entered into a supply agreement with a coffee corporation or the establishment of a modern coffee plantation and later on a milling center to supply quality grade coffee to at least 200 supermarkets and 150 hotels and restaurants in the Philippines, Canada and the United States. Aside from this, the municipal government, through Mayor Eduardo G. Guillen, is now also implementing an honest-to-goodness health care system that looks after their poorest constituents from birth to burial. And according ...

President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III watches as Senate President Franklin M. Drilon receives the official draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) from Bangsamoro Transition Commission Chairman Mohagher Iqbal during the turnover ceremony at Rizal Hall in the Malacañang Palace on September 10, 2014. Also joining the ceremony are House Speaker Feliciano M. Belmonte Jr. and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles. (Photo by Rey Baniquet/NIB/Malacañang Photo Bureau)

A total of 105 sheep were loaned to 80 recipients coming from the municipalities of Marcos, Banna, Vintar, Bacarra and Currimao on September 4, 2014. The animal raisers will return the first offspring of the lamb to the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte in order for it to be awarded to a new batch of recipients. (Alaric A. Yanos)

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —The Laoag Commission on Elections office announced that they are now ready for the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) registration scheduled on Sept. 20-29, 2014 in preparation for the Feb. 21, 2015 SK elections. City elections officer Flordelina Gagarin made the announcement as her office received Comelec Resolution No. 9791 which officially reschedules the SK elections to February next year. The resolution also specifies that the last day to post notice of hearing of applications for registration will be on Oct. 6, 2014 while the last day to file opposition to applications will be on Oct. 13, 2014. The Election Registration Board (ERB) has also set for a hearing to approve or disapprove applications for registration on Oct. 20, 2014. Ms. Gagarin said all eligible SK voters who already filed their registration last July 22-July 31, 2013 need not register anew, unless they turned 18 years of age on or before February 21, ...

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Batac City —The city government here is set to adopt and strictly implement Presidential Decree 1564, or the ‘Public Solicitation Law’. Batac councilor Florencio P. Laud, who sponsored the measure said the implementation will also include Administrative Order No. 14 series of 2007 by the Dept. of Social Work and Development. or the revised rules and regulations on public solicitation. Mr. Laud, who chairs the social services committee of the Batac council, said the resolution aims to regulate the solicitation activities conducted by individuals, groups, organizations, corporations and associations and to promote transparency and accountability that solicited funds are purposely for charitable and public welfare. Relative to this, the local government unit is the one responsible for issuing licenses and permits and suspend or revoke the same for any violation pursuant to law or ordinances enacted. Mr. Laud said this was one o...

We want more than just survival. We strive for sustainable development—FAO Director General at SIDS Summit in Samoa   Apia, Samoa/Rome —Coping with climate change should be seen as more than just a question of survival for small island countries - the international community should view it as a challenge to take unified action and notch up efforts to shift to a sustainable model of development, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva said Sept. 3. “Climate change is happening before our eyes. Rising sea levels, higher air and sea surface temperatures, and changing rainfall patterns are affecting countries worldwide. But there is no doubt that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are more vulnerable,” the FAO chief said during remarks delivered at the  3rd International UN Conference on SIDS  in Apia, Samoa (1-4 September). Climate change has particularly profound implications for the development of SIDS, affecting their food security, livelihoods, and econ...