The Ilocos Times

LAOAG CITY—Following the construction of community fish landing centers (CFLC) in the province, the Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has proposed the collection of unloading fee for fishery products. Arthur Valente, fishery regulatory coordinator of the Provincial Agriculture Office said they are now conducting public consultation with coastal communities here to solicit their support. Pegged at one peso per kilo of freshly caught fish unloaded at the CFLC, Mr. Valente said whatever amount collected from the fishermen will return to them in the form of government projects and services. In Ilocos Norte, the government has already constructed seven fish landing sites to monitor fishery catch here. They are in Laoag City and in the coastal towns of Badoc, Paoay, Pasuquin, Bangui, Burgos and Pagudpud. Mr. Valente said data collection is very important to determine the right government intervention to improve the socio-e...

Piddig , Ilocos Norte—Carabao, or water buffalo, was once a farmer’s best friend in Ilocos Norte. Farming families highly depended on it for draft. But as heavy infrastructure developments and agricultural modernization took place, the carabao industry has waned over the years. In Piddig town, the local government unit here is trying to save water buffalo from extinction. Recognizing its potential as a local source of milk and meat, Piddig mayor Georgina Salazar-Guillen believes the need to develop and conserve water buffalo production. “We need carabaos, not just to help farmers to plow the land but they also give us milk and meat. They exist to balance our ecosystem,” Ms. Guillen said in an interview. As baby steps to revive the industry, the Piddig local government moved to conduct an inventory of the remaining water buffalo in every rural village here. Under the animal health program here, the local government unit will focus on the health welfare of water bu...

Leveraging the compact car maker’s SUV heritage, equipped with features Suzuki Philippines’ new subcompact SUV encourages individuality, personalization, safer driving and fuel efficiency.   Pioneer compact car maker Suzuki Philippines launches the all-new Vitara in the PH market during an event at the Metrotent Convention Center in Pasig City on November 9. (From left) Suzuki Philippines (SPH) managing director and treasurer Norminio Mojica, Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) Asia automobile department general manager Shigeo Takezawa, SPH president Hiroshi Suzuki, SPH general manager for automobile Shuzo Hoshikura, SMC global automobile planning department general manager Nobutaka Suzuki, SPH assistant general manager Cecil Capacete. MANILA, Philippines—Leading compact car maker Suzuki Philippines (SPH) finally ends the wait today with the official launch of the new Vitara. Designed to match the growing automotive market in the country, the new-generation Vitara enc...

Sarrat mayor Remigio Medrano and Pagudpud mayor Marlon Sales. (Berong Ver) By Bernard Ver Contributor Manila —Sarrat mayor Remigio B. Medrano and Pagudpud mayor Marlon Ferdinand T. Sales graduated in the Agribusiness Executive Program of University of Asia & the Pacific (UA&P) on November 11, 2017. Dr. Rolando Dy, Center for Food and Agribusiness- ‎ University of Asia and the Pacific ‎ executive director administered the commencement exercises. A total 46 students completed the six-month Agribusiness Executives’ Program (AEP). UA&P conducted three-day classes every month, from Thursdays to Saturdays. The school designed the program to develop the managerial, analytical and strategic thinking skills of executives and managers in their own community in collaboration with agribusiness industry practitioners and experts. Both content and design are based on a comprehensive needs analysis and innovative design process done in collaboration with agri...

By Dominic Dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —With still over two months to go, the city government here has begun preparations for next year’s Pamulinawen Festival. Over-all festival coordinator Lilian Abijero announced that next fiesta’s theme is “Transcending”, as unanimously approved by all fiesta committees. Ms. Abijero explained that the theme must be continuance of what was “ Achieved ” , which was the theme for the 2017 edition. “Kasi no naka achieve kan, siyempre you don’t rest on your laurels. You keep on moving forward. Transcending means you can break barriers. You can overcome problems and struggles. You address challenges, ” Ms. Abijero expounded. Ms. Abijero also confirmed several changes for the fiesta, foremost is the removal of “street pageantry” as a fiesta highlight. She said it is because it is only a redundancy of the province’s “Tan-ok Festival of Festivals” which also features dance parades. The Tan-ok Festival is set for Febru...

Keyboard-of-Japanese-language (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Ilocanos wanting to improve their knowledge and skills for better work opportunities here and abroad may consider learning a third language. In Laoag, a company is set to inaugurate a one-stop shop language center by January next year to offer Nihongo, German and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) review. The language center will rise in the city’s business district. Initiated by a Piddig-born specialist nurse who is now based in London, United Kingdom, the Talaytayan Language Center-Laoag branch is now ready to accept new enrollees. “The world is changing in a way that familiarity of a foreign language is needed before deployment for work abroad. And the people of the north should not [fall] behind compared to other parts of the country,” said Riza Tongson-Espe, a technical consultant of Bison Management Corporation and the current manag...

Map of the Philippines with Ilocos Norte highlighted (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) L AOAG CITY—With the continuing implementation of Ilocos Norte’s cash-for-work program, hundreds of residents who are looking for additional source of livelihood are taking advantage of it. In Vintar town, Arlene Rosario, a full-time mom of three growing children said was trying to figure what to cook for lunch when she learned a roving team from the Capitol Express was at the town’s gymnasium offering various government services. Out of curiosity, she checked on the list of services and tried to apply for a cash-for-work, a continuing program of the Ilocos Norte government in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Initially, the program is meant for calamity victims. Then it expanded to marginalized earners or indigents. For a few hours of rendering community service in their respective barangays, they receive cash based on the prevailing regional wages in...

Map of Ilocos Norte showing the location of Laoag City (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Children’s rights advocates both from the public and private sectors gathered at the Ilocos Norte Capitol auditorium recently to increase awareness on the rights of children with disability. With the help of the Philippine Association of Children with Developmental Learning Disabilities, Inc. (PACDLD) in partnership with the Department Health and the Ilocos Norte government, Felicite Jean Gonzales encouraged participants to continue educating parents on their vital role in promoting the welfare of children with specials needs. Over the years, Mr. Gonzales said there had been many laws and resolutions protecting the rights of children but there is poor implementation. Having a child with autism, Jean and husband Octavio had been reaching out to the different provinces nationwide to meet with Day Care teachers and barangay health work...

  Dr. Shirley Agrupis, MMSU President leads the farmers' field day in Batac City. ( MMSU Research Directorate) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter BATAC CITY—The state-run Mariano Marcos State University is encouraging farmers to plant new climate resilient rice varieties to increase their productivity. This planting season, MMSU in collaboration with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) set up a 1,600-square meter demo farm showcasing its 14 varieties that are resilient to prolonged drought or wet season. “But no matter how good the variety is or no matter how advance the technology to improve rice productivity in the country, it is nothing without your heart in managing the rice field. Like a person, you should talk to your plants,” MMSU president Dr. Shirley Agrupis said during a farmer’s field day held at the demonstration site. Dubbed as the “President’s farm”, the program featuring climate resilient crops hopes to inspire farmers to a...

Piddig , Ilocos Norte – The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)-Ilocos Norte Chapter spearheaded by Atty. Cherrie Grace Bareng-Asistin initiated a legal aid consultation for town folks here for free. At least 20 participants attended the said activity with most of their queries concerning land disputes and ownership. Other participants availed of the free public notary on their legal documents. Ms. Asistin emphasized that this activity is part of the local bar association on their Law Week Celebration. This year’s is “IBP: Promoting Justice through the Rule of Law.” “We [IBP] are here to help our kababayans [countrymen] in the entire province [Ilocos Norte] with their dilemmas and other concerns on the laws of the land—under the Republic of the Philippines and our office is open for everyone,” Ms. Asistin added. As part of their other notable projects, the IBP is active in safeguarding the integrity of the bar exams; promoting ethical practices of lawyers,...

LAOAG CITY—Over 50 delegates from the Hawaii State Government and the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii (FCCH) visited Ilocos Norte to shop for business ideas to benefit both Filipinos and Americans. In a media interview upon the group’s arrival at the Laoag International Airport, Brandon Dela Cruz, FCCH president said he has heard so much about Ilocos Norte and it feels great that finally, they are now in Laoag. From Hawaii, the group led by Hawaii governor David Ige stayed in Manila for two days as they met with the United States Ambassador prior to their visit in this northern gateway of Luzon. As part of the annual goodwill and trade mission to the Philippines, Mr. Dela Cruz said they are here to help support and uplift Filipino business. “We travel in the Philippines and try to find where we can strengthen ties between Hawaii and the Philippines. Perhaps, it can be done through export of goods from the Philippines to Hawaii and vice versa. Let’s find out wher...

Provincial seal of Ilocos Norte, Philippines. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) LAOAG CITY—The Ilocos Norte Provincial Development Council convened a meeting at the provincial auditorium to re-program some PHP113.7 million of the development fund for 2017. Following the new guidelines from the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Interior and Local Government, seeking to enhance transparency and accountability of the local government units in the utilization of the 20 percent development fund, this compelled the Ilocos Norte government to make new listings in utilizing its remaining development fund this year.  This is pursuant to Section 287 of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, which states that: “each (LGU) shall appropriate in its annual budget no less than 20 percent of its annual (IRA) for development projects.” Under the updated guidelines, the approved local development plans and annual investment program (AIP), which sh...

English: Map of Ilocos Norte showing the location of Nueva Era (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Nueva Era , Ilocos Norte—Local officials of the Tingguian community of this town, about 38 kilometers from Laoag City assailed the Department of Public Works and Highways and a contractor for not finishing the construction of a bridge, which supposed completion was last year. Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida said the delayed completion of the PHP250 million Bonggo bridge project connecting Nueva Era and Banna is causing great inconvenience among commuters for over a year now since it commenced in 2015. Mr. Garvida said almost a year had passed since the Bonggo bridge supposed completion in time for the town’s centennial celebration but up to this date, the project is still “half-done”. So, when the Sangguniang Panlalawigan conducted an out-of-town session here, Mr. Garvida sought the help of Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Eugenio Angelo M....

RA Form No. 10.1 (LCRO) Republic of the Philippines Local Civil Registry Office Province of Ilocos Norte Municipality of Sarrat NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that NERIC CASTILLO MATEO has filed with this office a petition for Change of First Name from TIMON to ARTEMIO in the birth certificate of TIMON GANUT CRISTOBAL who was born on 19 April 1953 at Sarrat, Ilocos Norte and whose parents are PEDRO CRISTOBAL and ISABEL GANUT. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than Nov 27, 2017. (SGD) JOAN A. DUQUE Municipal Civil Registrar Nov. 13-19, 20-26, 2017*IT _________________________________________________________ Publication Notice R.A. 10172 NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC CCE-0082-2017 RA10172 CFN-0018-2017 RA No. 9048 November 10, 2017 In compliance with publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandu...

The early morning walk around the barangay led by: L-R: Maria Borromeo, member; kagawad Pat Eugenio, board member Aning Fernandez, reception host Geling Toribio; board members, Velen Alipio, Rogelio Domingo, and Ramon Tumaneng. The crowning of Lola Queen Pepita Tabor, 2017 Barangay 15 Senior Citizens Association Week crowned by Ernesto S. Tamayo, president, with the members clapping while they sing, "Dayta Nagsaway a Fintasmo The reception full of good cheer and merrymaking, singing and dancing, hosted by Geling Toribio. The cleaning and greening of the community. The Barangay 15 Senior Citizens Association of Laoag City, Incorporated, took time to celebrate Senior Citizens Week on October 1-7, in honor of our co-elders who labored hard for the things we are enjoying now. Let us enjoy with our Lolos and Lolas while they are still with us, while we still can see, hold, embrace them while they still can celebrate with us. Let us lavish them with lo...