Monsoon rain still beneficial to Ilocos Norte farmers

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

LAOAG CITY—Ilocos Norte farmers have long been praying for rain and with the prolonged rainfall brought about the southwest monsoon, or “habagat”, Fiel Camacho’s face lit up with excitement; he can now till the once dried up farmland that is dependent on rainwater.

For a week now, farmers here are busy preparing their farms as they take advantage of the rainwater.

“We are glad rain has finally come so that we can start planting,” said Mr. Camacho as he prepared his equipment for his rice field in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte on June 14, 2018.

The first rain of June is also an opportunity for other farmers to earn extra income as they enjoy catching exotic frogs and sell it in their neighborhood or in the market.

Pegged at least PHP250 per kilo, the demand for exotic foods is high as some balikbayans mostly based in Hawaii and mainland United States even bring it along with them for family and friends craving for a taste of these exotic delicacies in the Ilocos region.

Ilocos Norte is currently experiencing heavy rains and gale winds brought by the monsoon season.

In light of this, Ilocos Norte governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos reminded the local community, especially farmers, and resiliency councils that disaster management ought to be a year-round task.

“Huwag tayong maghihintay ng bagyo, maghihintay ng rainy season—nandito na—at huwag tayong aasa purong-puro sa gobyerno,” she urged.

“Balikan natin ang mga dating gawi ng Ilocano na bago mag-rainy season, nire-reinforce na yung pinto, bintana, bubong, and so forth. “Ngayon kasi, parang inaantay na lang yung bagyo—mag-aabang ng relief. Balikan natin yung ugaling Ilocano na talagang pinaghahandaan ang tag-ulan,” she said.

As of June 14, 2018, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council received several reports of flooded areas in Batac City, Paoay, Solsona and Dingras towns.

The most recent destructive typhoon for Ilocos Norte was the 2016 super typhoon Lawin (International Name: Haima), which had left behind over PHP2 billion in agricultural and infrastructural damages.

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 an annua

PGIN honors Ilocano heroes of past, present through Heroes Walk

SPO1 Allan Lampitoc Franco of Banna, Ilocos Norte and PO2 Jovalyn D. Lozano of Adams, Ilocos Norte receive a resolution of commendation, a certificate of college scholarship grant to their family members and a P20,000 cash incentive each from the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte represented by Governor Imee R. Marcos and Vice Governor Angelo M. Barba in recognition of their bravery and heroic acts in the Mamasapano clash in Maguindanao on January 25. Mr. Franco and Mr. Lozano were recognized on March 10 in time for the unveiling of the second batch of Ilocano heroes at the Heroes Walk located along the Sirib Mile in Laoag City. (Lei Adriano) By Jennifer T. Pambid PGIN-CMO In honor of the heroes who brought freedom, fame and glory to the province as well as to the country in the past century, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) through the Education Department and Sirib Youth Office launched the second batch of Ilocano Heroes Walk on March 10, 2015.

Pagudpud’s tourism transformer passes away

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Retired Philippine Air Force Col. Ricardo Nolasco Jr., owner of Hannah’s Beach Resort and Convention Center in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte passed away on Wednesday evening, July 11, 2018. He was 67. “He did not survive an open-heart surgery,” said Ronald Dominguez, spokesperson of the largest resort at Brgy. Balaoi in Pagudpud. Known as the architect behind the transformation of Pagudpud town as a premiere destination of the north, Mr. Nolasco put up Hannah’s Beach Resort in what was originally meant as a family vacation resort. The rest is history when it expanded into more than 300-room executive villas and cabanas, with on-going infrastructure developments and set up various amenities. As a result, hundreds of domestic and foreign tourists visit here daily. The resort is on a cliff by the beach, which provides a spectacular view of the sparkling blue lagoon. “Yesterday will go down my lifeline as one

The Ilocos Times

Search This Blog