2 Laoag City gov’t execs at odds after ‘Lawin’

By Dominic B. dela Cruz

Staff reporter

Laoag City—City Disaster and Risk Reduction and Management Council officer Dr. Melvin Manuel confirmed that he has filed administrative and direct assault charges against Community Affairs officer Bernardino Rodillas.

Mr. Manuel explained that the administrative case was filed at the city hall; while the direct assault was filed at the city prosecutor’s office. He added that he will also file the same at the Civil Service Commission and at the Sandiganbayan.

Mr. Manuel revealed that Mr. Rodillas allegedly badmouthed him when the latter about the non-food relief items that were stocked at the city hall media center without informing him.

Mr. Rodillas reportedly said that he should also be consulted about the transfer of items since he heads the office in charge.

Mr. Manuel, however said that Laoag mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas was informed about the matter and subsequently gave her approval.

Mr. Manuel added that the media center was chosen as it was close to the flag area. The said items were distributed to typhoon “Lawin” victims after the flag-raising ceremony.

This triggered the misunderstanding between the two Laoag officials.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Fariñas said the issue is already at the disciplinary and separation board (DSB). She stressed that there will be no special treatment in the case.

“Awan ti ik-ikkak kaniyada appo ken saan a rason iti pannaka-bannug or adda man sagubanit iti maysa a tao tapnu maikkan iti licensiya a makisarita iti pada na a tao uray nababbaba man isuna iti madi a wagas,” the mayor said.

Mrs. Fariñas also declared that she instructed Mr. Manuel to inventory the non-food items from the Office of Civil Defense after the city was declared under a state of calamity. She added that the items were scheduled to be distributed to the city’s barangays after the flag-raising ceremony.

She stressed that she permitted that the items be stored at the media center.

She however clarified that her remarks will not be misinterpreted. She said she was only retelling what transpired.

The Ilocos Times tried to get Mr. Rodillas’ side on the issue but he refused to comment. He only said “there will be a proper time to answer.”

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