The Ilocos Times

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —The city government here announced that additional closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will be installed around the city soon. The city government’s information technology officer Franz Felipe detailed that at least 30 additional CCTV cameras will be installed this year. He said this would be the CCTV project’s phase 3. Mr. Felipe disclosed that the cameras installed in 2010 may also need to be replaced for upgrading purposes. Currently, the city has 56 operating cameras distributed around the city proper. The additional CCTV cameras to be acquired will be “top of the line”, Mr. Felipe said. He added that the cameras would be high definition and can function properly in both day and night sequences. He also clarified that the 56 cameras do not include those acquired by barangays in the city. Those barangay cameras were purchased from their own budgets. At least 10 barangays have their own CCTV system...

CPJ releases annual assessment of press freedom worldwide New York— Sexualized violence, online harassment, and gender-based discrimination are undermining the ability of journalists to tell vital stories and report the news. Combining personal accounts with context and analysis, Attacks on the Press, published by the Committee to Protect Journalists today, highlight the challenges as well as the courage of journalists who face such threats, and also makes clear what is being lost. Attacks on the Press is a collection of essays by CPJ staff and outside experts that examines the challenges journalists face. The 2016 edition looks at the intersection of gender and press freedom from a variety of perspectives. The book includes a harrowing account by Colombian journalist Jineth Bedoya Lima, who was raped 16 years ago by men who sought to punish her for her reporting on arms ...

THE United States of America, through its Philippine embassy congratulated both the people of the Philippines and presumptive President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte. The statement added: “We look forward to the official conclusion of the electoral process for the many offices contested in the national elections.” The statement also touched on the Philippines’ and the US’s long history. “The Philippines and the United States have a long and enduring history based on a shared commitment to upholding democratic values and institutions. The successful elections in the Philippines, and its record-setting number of voters, are a testament to the Philippines’ vibrant democracy. The United States looks forward to continuing to deepen our bilateral partnership with the new administration as we address common challenges and issues of mutual interest.”

NOT everyone can be president of our country. But everyone can and should be a saint. Not everyone can be president because there are some stringent requirements for it, like being a natural-born citizen and a resident of the country for a number of years. But everyone can be holy because God calls all and empowers all to be so. As president or, for that matter, as any holder of public position or status, certain skills are needed to carry out the specific demands of such position and status. But as a saint, no specific skills are needed. What is simply needed is to give our whole being to God, irrespective of our position and status in life. Ever wondered why Christ chose his apostles practically randomly? He, for example, would just pass by Matthew in his tax collector’s table and say, “Come, follow me,” without as much checking on Matthew’s background. Same with brothers Peter and Andrew, and James and John. Christ would just call them, and without asking any question t...

As the El Niño season peaks, power grid operator NGCP steps up its campaign to warn the public against forming and spreading grassfires, especially in rural areas. “NGCP is going all out in informing the public of the dangers and adverse effects of grassfires on transmission facilities. Not only is grassfire hazardous to the health of the people, it also poses a threat to power transmission facilities, particularly wood poles. If these structures are burnt, our transmission services might be interrupted,” stated NGCP. The company also noted that the smoke from grassfires alone can cause tripping of transmission lines. “The fire does not have to physically touch the line for it to trip. The thick smoke alone can trigger these lines to trip and cause power interruption,” the company reiterated. At the same time, NGCP thanked the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), particularly in Cagayan, who was quick to respond to grassfire incidents involving power transmission assets....

DAVAO CITY—Presidential frontrunner Rodrigo R. Duterte extended his hand of reconciliation to political rivals as he called for national healing following a bitter campaign in the race for the presidency that saw all candidates throwing mud at each other on May 10. “I would like now reach my hand to my opponents and let us begin the process of healing,” Duterte said in a well-attended press briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, where he went straight after casting his vote at the Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School in Matina. Although acknowledging that the exchange of innuendoes is part of the election process in the Philippines, he admitted that the mudslinging during the campaign period was very intense and virulent. “Let us begin to forget, and let us be friends,” he said. The 71-year-old local chief executive is contesting the presidency against administration candidate Manuel “Mar” A. Roxas II, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay and senators Mary Grace Natividad...

Dan Steinbock , an economic expert affiliated with the Difference Group, gave a dynamic lecture on the future of global and emerging economies at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies’ first public seminar for 2016. Mr. Steinbock discussed trends in global affairs and finance that are important for the Philippines as an emerging economy to take note of. Odds are more uncertain in the post-2008 crisis world because the global order is less rigid. Mr. Steinbock said leaders must weigh policy choices holistically. Pure market analysis is not enough. There should be comprehensive consideration of not only the economic growth but also the noneconomic growth of both advanced and emerging economies. “If we advocate solutions that have worked in advanced economies to emerging economies, irrespective of their cultural context and history, you may have the best of intentions, but you maybe [mistaking] the way to help,” explained Mr. Steinbock. That is not to say situation...

No high hopes for change A women’s research and training institution puts no high hopes on the election results to resolve the persisting violence against women (VAW). The Center for Women’s Resources (CWR), which has been working for women since 1982, do not see a change in scenario with more spaces allotted to the rich and the powerful, even in the party-list system. "The party-list system has supposedly opened a space for the under-represented sectors.  But even this limited opportunity now accepts any group or party that will further push the marginalized sectors like women to the way side,” remarked Jojo Guan, CWR executive director. The Supreme Court has revised in 2013 the rules, allowing political parties and groups not representing marginalized sectors to run under the party-list system. Guan said, "Party-list groups need to provide legislation for the sectors that they represent.  So if the traditional political clans and businessmen dominate the p...

The Capitol light show (PGIN) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—After a three-month long campaign season that ended with candidates and their campaigners a little darker and skinnier, the Ilocos Norte government staged the first of its kind lights show on May 8 to usher in the La Virgen Milagrosa festival. Launched in 2012, the La Milagrosa provincial fiesta features a series of events celebrating both classic and contemporary Ilocano culture while honoring Ilocos Norte's patron saint, La Virgen Milagrosa. Signaling the start of the celebration, a rainbow of lights illuminate d the entire facade of the neo-classical Ilocos Norte Capitol building on May 8. Preparing the light show (PGIN) As thousands of local, domestic and foreign tourists visit the province, the magnificent Capitol located at the heart of the city, with established water fountains on both sides became a constant attraction among tourists, where people never missed the ...