The Ilocos Times

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) recently trained about 300 rice-based growers in Marawi, Lanao del Sur to help them resume farming, which was left for almost a year due to the city’s siege. Teodora Briones, head of PhilRice’s Corporate Services Division, said farmers in the area expressed interest in going back to farming after Ramadan. However, the farmers have yet to restore their livelihood and regain capital to start again. “Farmers’ present priority includes having enough food for their family’s everyday needs. Through rice-based farming, they will eventually recover,” Ms. Briones said. Farmers were given about 376 sacks of quality rice seeds after the training. Rainfed cultivators in the villages of Patani and Sugod received NSIC Rc 286 seeds while upland farmers in the villages of Kilala and Banga were provided with Alo-al and Dapolog seeds. Moreover, three sacks of organic and inorgani

Journalists from Luzon and the NCR agreed that a Filipino or “Filipinized” type of federalism that acknowledges the country's diverse cultures, traditions, religions, and regional dynamics will be applicable to the Philippines. Amidst differing beliefs and apprehensions over the proposed federal form of government during the two-day seminar-workshop on Understanding Federalism in the Philippine Context conducted by the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) in Manila on October 11-12, with support from Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) and in partnership with the Pimentel Institute of Local Governance (PILG), thirty publishers, editors, and reporters expressed support for good governance no matter the form of government. "Let's look at the CAR experience. We’ve been talking about autonomy for the longest time. In fact, our different tribes up there are the ones very much affected with all these issues on having an autonomous region," said Sonia Daoas, PPI trustee

LAOAG CITY  police officers conduct a drug awareness lecture and the salient features of RA 9165 and the RA 10627, otherwise known as the Anti Bullying Act of 2013 to first year college students of a Laoag school. The lecture aims to raise students’ awareness on the intensified campaign plan of the city police to eradicate illegal drugs and to achieve a drug-free Laoag City. It also focuses on improving strategies and responses to incidents of bullying and help avoid the recurrence of said acts.  (Photo courtesy of Laoag PNP)

  Laoag City —Recognizing and incentivizing successful Ilocano families, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and Gender and Development (GAD) Office awarded the 2018 Model Families on September 28, 2018, at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena, this city. Congratulating the awardees and finalists, Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Eugenio Angelo M. Barba said, “ Kayong lahat ay may kanya-kanyang kwento ng hirap at tagumpay . We are proud to see you here today, the overcomers, the victors, now triumphant over everything that threatened your families. “You have each won a battle for the very foundation of our society.” Model Families is an annual program for families who have successfully trumped socio-economic difficulties as well as involve themselves in the community and are responsible in environmental and waste management. It comprises three categories: professional, non-professional, and o

Rice constitutes a huge portion of a regular diet of every Filipino. On average, a Filipino consumes 114 kilograms of rice every year. Rice, however, does not have much nutrients. It contains largely carbohydrates. To make it healthier and to help address the pressing malnutrition problem in the country, Golden Rice is being developed. According to Dr. Reynante Ordonio, PhilRice Healthier Rice Project lead, Golden Rice is a new type of rice that contains beta carotene in its grain.   He said this nutrient, similar to what is found in orange-colored fruits and vegetables, is converted to vitamin A only as needed by the body. Dr. Ordonio stressed that micronutrient malnutrition, such as vitamin A deficiency (VAD), is a serious public health problem affecting 2 billion people globally.   In the Philippines according to the 2013 report of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), 2.1 M children Filipinos aging 6 months to 6 years are affected by VAD. Moreover, the report

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —"In Unity There Is Power”. In view of this, the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) hosted the Regional Electric Cooperative Association Fellowship at the Laoag City Centennial Arena on October 26, 2018. INEC board president Enrico Ruiz welcomed the nine electric cooperatives from the entire Region I for the whole day fellowship event. Mr. Ruiz said the fellowship was a team building activity for unity to all electric coops in Region I in order to provide more efficient service to all its member consumers.   Other activities aside from fellowship were competitions for the “Singing Got Talents”, “Search for Mr. & Miss Front Liners” and the “Lux Awarding”. INEC got the most number of attendees award during the recently concluded Annual General Membership Assembly meetings of INEC. The award was given by the RECO I board.

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—In a gathering of Indigenous Peoples here, various IP organizations and tribal councils in Region 1 crafted and signed a manifesto of support to the proposed federal form of government being pushed under President Rodrigo Duterte administration. According to Atty. Jesus Agbayani, Provincial Officer of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples in Ilocos Norte said they convened a dialogue among the leaders and members of the Indigenous Cultural Communities here for them to fully understand the basic provisions of the federal system of government particularly and how this will create on impact on the lives of IPs. “After a thorough study and exchange of ideas using our customary mode of decision-making, we are of the view that amendment of revision of the existing form of government is absolutely necessary to address the sad plight of the IPs and further strengthen the rights it already conferred to the ICCs/IPs,” said

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan proposed amendments to an existing ordinance on the consignment of drugs and medicines in government-run provincial and district hospitals here. The consignment system is a “method of assuring availability of stocks wherein a consignor places its goods with the Provincial Health Office and/or the pharmacies of the provincial and/or district hospitals for sale, and the former being paid by the latter for only the actual quantity consumed using the money generated from the sale of the consigned goods within the agreed period of time.” Under the proposed amendment, Dr. Roger Braceros, the Governor Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital officer-in-charge, explained that any consignment deals with accredited suppliers shall no longer pass through the Bids and Awards Committee as there is no “cash out” involved. From the original 30 days needed to settle the consignment of drugs and med

City elections officer Atty. Julius Balbas assists Laoag Mayor Chevylle V. Farinas and city administrator John Michael V. Fariñas in filing their respective COCs for mayor and vice mayor, respectively. ( Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —Incumbent Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) on October 11, 2018 for her third and final term. Her running mate is her son, current Laoag City government administrator John Michael V. Fariñas. Prior to her official filing, they had a mass at the Laoag City Basketball Court, which non-government organizations, barangay officials and the public attended. In her speech after the mass, Mrs. Fariñas thanked incumbent Laoag councilors Roger John Farinas and Shirley O. Sin; former Laoag councilors Sonia B. Siazon, Joseph Tamayo, Yvonne Ranada, Derick Lao, and new face Jardin O. Sin, son Mrs. Sin. She also stressed that they will not resort to substitution a

  OWWA officials process the calamity assistance for Ilocos Norte members at the Provincial Capitol cafeteria. (OWWA ) San Fernando City, La Union—After typhoon Mangkhut [Ompong] hit Ilocos Region last month, the Overseas Worker Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office I (OWWA RWOI) gave Calamity Assistance to OFW-OWWA members and their qualified dependents who were severely affected by the typhoon. OWWA, through its Welfare Assistance Program (WAP), gave assistance amounting to PHP3,000 for active OWWA members and PHP1,500 for inactive members. Since the whole region was placed under a state of calamity during the typhoon, OWWA RWOI together with the local government of each provinces has to identify the top municipalities and cities that were hardly hit by the typhoon thus giving priority with the calamity assistance. In Ilocos Norte, the processing for the calamity assistance was held on September 25-28 and October 4-6, 2018 at Provincial Capitol Cafet

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —In a bid to encourage more Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) involvement and participation in their barangays’, as well as the city’s affairs, Laoag councilor Roger John Fariñas proposed an ordinance that will provide SK kagawads, secretaries and treasurers a monthly PHP1,000 allowance. In his proposal, Mr. Fariñas cited Section 13 of Article II of the 1987 Constitution which emphasizes and recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation building and likewise promotes and protects their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being. Mr. Farinas said the SK is one of the government institutions wherein the youth have an active participation spearheading activities and endeavors of promoting the youth development and empowerment. The city government should therefore recognize the youth’s involvement and participation in the city’s social and development programs and projects. He however, stressed that th

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —The Sangguniang Panlungsod here unanimously approved a resolution adopting the Filipino American Maharlika Association (FAMAS) as partner organization of the city government. Laoag councilor Portia Pamela R. Salenda said this is the first Filipino organization so far to come out openly to advocate gender equality focusing on the rights and plight of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, women and children. Ms. Salenda, who sponsored the measure, learned that several members of the FAMAS traces their roots to Laoag. The same organization earlier donated funds for the Ilocos Norte Medical Association to help in the puericulture centers and at the same time conducted medical missions in the province. FAMAS desires that the city allows them to prioritize projects for the city aligned with their advocacies for quality health care for the women and children’s welfare and gender quality. The

  Atty. Leilani Carmelita R. Magbanua (3rd from left), Provincial Adjudicator for La Union and Abra, gave a lecture on mediation and alternative dispute resolution to the legal division staff of DAR Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan. In order to further enhance the capabilities of its legal division manpower, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) held a lecture on mediation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) on October 9-12, 2018 at the Aureo Resort Hotel in San Fernando City, La Union.   In the said activity, the important provisions of Republic Act 9825 or The Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 2004 were fully explained. The lecture was conducted by the Legal Services Division of DAR Regional Office 1, headed by Atty. Armi Christie C. Pe Benito. Atty. Leilani Carmelita R. Magbanua, Provincial Adjudicator for La Union and Abra, stressed that mediation is a voluntary process in which a mediator, selected by the disputing parties, facilitates

By Bernard Ver Contributor Laoag City —After finishing as runners-up in the last two years, the Ilocos Norte government finally won the “Pearl Award” as the best tourism-oriented province in the Philippines. The Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) held the awarding ceremonies on October 5, 2018 in Cagayan de Oro City. The search recognizes exceptional practices, projects and innovations in every local government’s tourism office in the Philippines as well as the men and women behind this great contribution in creative works and exceptional services and its cause. After the two runners-up finishes, Ilocos Norte tourism officer Aian B. Raquel said felt challenged, which he said made them work harder and the result was satisfying. “Since we started, we have accomplished the fundamental requirements for a well-functioning LGU in terms of tourism. We have legislations such as tourism code, investmen

Laoag City —The Consulate of the People’s Republic of China in Laoag City has issued a donation through the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) for relief of victims of typhoon “Mangkhut”. The donation comprises 10 tons of premium rice valued at P480,000.00 and various grocery items such as sardines, corned beef, and meat loaf valued at P297,000.00, to be distributed during the “Paspas Takder” relief operations. Chinese consul Wang Jianqun represented the consulate, while Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Eugenio Angelo M. Barba and Sangguniang Panlalawigan members Domingo Ambrosio Jr. and Atty. Donald Nicolas accepted the donation on behalf of Ms. Marcos and the provincial government. According to Mr. Edwin Cariño, head of the Provincial Sustainable Development Center (SDC), the consulate had originally committed to donating only 10 tons of rice, but decided on adding canned goods worth P297,000.00 in consonance with the lucky Chinese numbers: 7-7-7. “We ar

Piddig, Ilocos Norte—The municipal government here of Piddig led by Mayor Georgina Salazar-Guillen in cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed cash incentives to social pensioners here on October 9, 2018. The social pensioners’ incentive funds came from the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) share of the national government. Each pensioner received PHP200 per month, or a total of PHP2,400for 2018. They will receive the same amount for three years aside from their monthly pension amounting to PHP500. Five of the town’s 23 barangays benefited: Brgys. 1, 2, 3, 20, and 21. They were the last barangays to receive the said amount due to technical error from the provider’s system. Mrs. Guillen said, “These amounts are useful for pensioners’ daily consumption. Medical care is already provided by the municipality thru Piddig Cares 24/7 where they can ask for medicines and assistance, or an ambulance if needed.”

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—In time for the World Teacher’s Month celebration, around 5,000 teachers from the 21 towns and two cities of the province were gathered Tuesday at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena, this city for a simple tribute to all educators here. After a thanksgiving mass officiated by Laoag Bishop Renato Mayugba, a simple program and electronic raffle draws followed suit in honor of teachers. “Teachers are probably the most underappreciated sector in the society. They sacrifice so much yet they receive so little. You all deserve a day and a month of appreciation,” said Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc during the October 2, 2018 province-wide celebration for teachers. As chairperson of the committee on education, Mr. Manotoc assured teachers of his full support to the education sector as he cited the Ilocos Norte government’s continuing efforts to promote quality education by expanding its scholarship pr

Ilocos Norte-Apayao Road By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter San Nicolas , Ilocos Norte—The Dept. of Public Works and Highways 2 nd Engineering District and local government units reported more damages sustained in their respective areas from typhoon Mangkhut (Ompong). DPWH second engineering district engineer Mathias Malenab said they are still receiving reports of more damages in infrastructures. As of press time, Mr. Malenab reported initial damages ranging from PHP700-800 million. He added that subsequent reports may increase the damages to PHP900 million. He, however, emphasized that they will conduct a re-inspection of the damages whether they were just aggravated by previous typhoons and the weeklong monsoon rains. The DPWH II reported estimate damages of at least PHP74 million in national roads from the monsoon rains. Bungcag, Dingras, Ilocos Norte Mangkhut, meanwhile, damaged flood control projects, school buildings, bridge approache