The Ilocos Times

In time for the planting season, farmers under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) program had started receiving certified rice seeds during the program’s first distribution in Balungao, Pangasinan, October 28, 2019. About 1,500 bags of certified seeds are given to 600 farmers in the 4th class municipality bordering Nueva Ecija to the south. “You’re lucky to be the first beneficiaries of this program. The government gives this support for you to be more competitive so I urge you to do your part for you to gain more from farming amidst challenges,” Maria Theresa Peralta, town mayor said. Ms. Peralta encouraged farmers to plant the certified seeds as this can increase yield by 10 percent. “Please do not sell what you have received. The grain from this bag might lead you to prosperity,” she said. Under the program, farmers who are listed in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) of the Department of Agriculture can receive 20-80kg

By Bernardo B. Ver II Contributor Senator Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos denounced the plan of the Philippine International Trading Corporation to import rice in behalf of local fast food chains, grocery stores, and small supermarkets. Ms. Marcos expressed dismay that a government-owned corporation under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) would prioritize imports over local produce when rice farmers nationwide have been selling their harvest at depressed prices or even at a loss. “The announcement of Secretary (Ramon) Lopez is insensitive and ill-timed. Cheaper imported rice is not worth a breakdown in the livelihood of Filipino rice farmers,” Ms. Marcos stressed. The DTI chief announced the plan to import rice for select businesses at an international rice conference in Makati earlier this month and also said that as many as 300 containers could be shipped to the country in the next few months. “Where is our conscience and what got into the heads o

Laoag City —As fulfillment of Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc’s campaign promise “to improve, to equip, and to better staff” district hospitals and health units in the province, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) through the Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO) reopens the application for the first batch of “Saguip Nars” Program starting on December 2, until December 13, 2019. “Saguip Nars” was introduced early in 2014 with the objective of providing work experience to new Ilokano registered nurses who lack professional clinical experience. However, the program was put on hiatus in 2018 due to budgetary constraints. “To address the scarcity of nurses and healthcare providers as well as to encourage our nurses to work for our province, Governor Marcos Manotoc sees the need to bring back the ‘Saguip Nars’ since one of his top priority programs is the improvement of our health sector,” information officer II Rhona Ysabel Daoang exp

Security forces burn the confiscated marijuana plants in Ilocos Sur. (Photos courtesy of Sugpon PNP) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY— The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the local police have destroyed over PHP4 million worth of marijuana plants uprooted in the mountainous areas of Kibungan in Benguet and Sugpon in Ilocos Sur in a three-day operation. Lt. Jerry Arazabal, Sugpon police chief confirmed this as he reported they have uprooted more or less 17,550 fully-grown marijuana plants and recovered at least 7 kilos of dried marijuana stalks in different plantation sites located in the borders of Sitio Culiang, Tacadang, Kibungan and in the mountains of Wasan and Bila, Sitio Sawangan, Barangay Danac in Sugpon, Ilocos Sur. He said, “personnel of the PDEA and police operatives reached the target on Tuesday [November 26, 2019] morning and found fully-grown marijuana plants in different sites with a total value of PHP4,465,000 based on

Awardees from the Laoag City Agriculture Office pose after Gawad Saka Awarding Ceremony held November 11, 2019 in Baguio City. They bagged the highest number of major awards. This awarding ceremony is the brainchild of the Department of Agriculture as it aims to acknowledge distinguished organizations and individuals who have excelled and made significant contributions in the development of the agriculture and fishery sectors in the country. The regional awardees are: Mr. Edgardo S. Guerrero as Outstanding Rice Farmer; Mr. Geoffrey Pascual as Outstanding Corn Farmer; Mr. and Mrs. Dominador Ignacio and family as the Outstanding Farm Family; Ms. Velma D. Joaquin as Outstanding Sugarcane Farmer; Mr. Policarpio P. Pascua as Outstanding Agri-Entrepreneur and City Agricultural and Fishery Council as the Outstanding AFC. The awardees received plaques of recognition and cash prizes and became representatives of the region in the national search. (Doms dela Cruz)

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Batac City —In a bid to further help children in conflict with the law (CICL), the Sangguniang Panlungsod here requested the provincial government of Ilocos Norte thru Governor Mathew Joseph M. Manotoc for the establishment of Bahay Pag-Asa in the province. Batac councilor Kichel Jomarie Pungtilan and Batac vice mayor Atty. Windell Chua sponsored the measure which the council later approved. Section 13 of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being. Records show, Mr. Pungtilan said, that there are already CICL cases in the province citing an example in this city wherein 23 CICL cases were reported from January 2016 up to the present; and five of them were sent to Bahay Pag-Asa in Bauang, La Union. The measure, Mr. Pungtilan added, helps the families and rel

  Siamapulo ket uppat a burias ti inbunong ti Department of Agrarian Reform – Ilocos Norte kadagiti agrarian reform beneficiaries iti Nueva Era ken Solsona . Indauluan ni provincial agrarian reform program officer II Vic M. Ines ti pannakaibunong ti innem a pulo a burias kadagiti agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB) iti ili ti Nueva Era. Dagiti naikkan ti taraknen a burias ket dagiti kamkameng ti Tribal Agrarian Reform Cooperative iti Brgy. Poblacion iti nasao nga ili. Tallopulo ket uppat met a burias ti naited kadagiti ARB manipud iti Lucky Agrarian Reform Cooperative iti ili ti Solsona. Dagiti burias ket napasurutan pay kadagiti starter, grower ken finisher feeds kas tulong iti nasayaat a pannakatarakenda. Iti met Brgy. Garnaden iti ili ti Nueva Era, ginasgasut a sako ti fertilizer, insecticide ken pesticide ti naibunong kadagiti farmer beneficiaries ti Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. Inbatad ni PARPO II Ines a dagiti nasao nga aktibidad ket

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter BATAC CITY—Hundreds of local and overseas job opportunities were up for grabs in Batac City job fair held November 12, 2019 at the Imelda Cultural Center. Leonavella Dadiz-Duldulao, of the Department of Labor and Employment said the faire was open to all interested individuals who are seeking their dream job. “We encouraged all job seekers to apply and have the chance to get hired on the spot,” said Ms. Dadiz. Dubbed as, “Pabilgen ni Bataqueño Para iti Sapasap a Progreso (Empowering Bataqueño for Inclusive Growth)”, the whole-day job fair was a public and private partnership program hosted by the city government of Batac led by Mayor Albert Chua. Aside from the DOLE, other national government agencies such as the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Social Security System, PhilHealth, Civil Service Commission, Department of Trade and Industry and Technical Education Services and Skills Development Authority will be

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—Hundreds of students lined up for work at the ground floor of the Provincial Capitol on November 20, 2019 as application for the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) in December began. For Sharina Mae Verdadero, a student of Bachelor of Science in English Language in the City of Batac, she said the program is worth trying not just to earn for money but also to gain more experience. Open to all students aged 15 to 25 years old, Ana Marie Leaño, public services officer 1 said, “there are 200 slots ready to be filled up this December holiday.” Applicants should submit a duly-accomplished application form issued by PESO, a photocopy of NSO birth certificate, and one passport size picture. Deadline of submission is on Friday, November 22. The program aims to take advantage of the Christmas holidays to give opportunity to Ilocano youth to earn money for their education and basic needs. Beneficiaries

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—The National Bureau of Investigation based in this city has warned the public not to fall to an investment scam in the guise of selling loads and enticing the public to invest cash money with a monthly payout interest of 10 percent in the form of post-dated checks. NBI agent Gerard L. Butale in an interview said at least 17 complainants mostly composed of teachers, police personnel, other professionals and local businessmen appeared in their office as they filed a criminal complaint against SPVTOP International Inc. based in Baguio City. The separate complaints of the victims were filed before the office of the provincial prosecutor Jerry D. Nebab at the Hall of Justice in Sanchez Mira, Cagayan. Based on preliminary investigation of the NBI, the company’s founder identified as Brick Y. Agcopra and its officers offered 10% monthly interest payments to investors reaching PHP1 million or more. With this, about a thou

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—Around 22 micro, small and medium entrepreneurs mostly composed of street food vendors in the province successfully underwent a two-day training on food safety and basic food hygiene on October 28-29, 2019 at the Capitol auditorium. Hosted by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Edison Natividad, head of the Small and Medium Enterprise Office under the provincial government said the activity “aims to protect consumers and to ensure food handlers are aware of the basic know how on handling food business.” In time for the celebration of the consumer welfare month in October, the DOST continues to partner with various local government units in the province to emphasizes the importance of ensuring food safety standards for consumers. After the series of lectures, the participants also underwent a paper and pencil examination prior to giving their ce

Urges students to ‘contribute to our great home’ Laoag City —" Pag-isipan ninyo kung anong gagawin ninyo kapag nakatapos na kayo sa pag-aaral . I hope that you make the most out of this opportunity and I hope that you stay here in Ilocos Norte and eventually contribute to our great home,” Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc remarked in front of almost 2,000 provincial scholars during the mass stipend distribution at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena, Laoag City on October 31, 2019. The event was facilitated by the Provincial Education Office (PEdO), Ilocos Norte Youth Development Office (INYDO), and the Provincial Treasurer’s Office. In his speech, Mr. Manotoc assured that the scholarship program will be further improved, adding more slots in the future: “You are considered as ambassadors in the Provincial Government and the scholarship program is one of the most popular programs of the former Governor, now Senator Imee Marcos. Thus, as one of the m

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter Pinili , Ilocos Norte—Amidst inclement weather, hundreds of local residents who are mostly housewives in this mountainous town, braved the strong and cold winds so they can shop for their family needs at the Pinili Amphitheater on November 20, 2019. Offering discounted promo packs and freebies exclusive for the “Diswento Caravan” Noche Buena Edition of the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Trade and Industry-initiated project aims to provide consumers in far flung villages the opportunity to buy basic and prime commodities at discounted prices. Maricor Racela, senior trade industry development specialist and trade promotions officer of DTI-Ilocos Norte said in an interview that the caravan officially opened for two days. “We urge our Pinili residents to come and avail of the different promo packages and freebies from our partner establishments,” said Ms. Racela as the annual activity is being conducted in partn

By Bernardo B. Ver II Contributor Laoag City —To conform to International Civil Aviation Organization Standards and Recommendation Practice, the Laoag International Airport (LIA) continues to expand its runway and improve its facilities as part of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) development programs. According to Ronald Estabillo, Civil Aviation Authority terminal manager for the Laoag airport, DOTr has long planned the project for the city’s airport with funding of PHP128 million. In February 2018, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed between the Ilocos Norte government represented by then Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos and the DOTr represented by Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Procurement, Atty. Reinier Paul Yebra. However, the residential area near the airport will be affected, as well as a creek and a barangay road. The MOA tasks DOTr to fund the acquisition of affected lots and the improvements found in the area i

City of Batac —Patients of Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMH&MC) here can now transact their hospital bills through cashless payment option as the hospital recently partnered with Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP). In inking the deal, both state-run institutions aim to make transactions with patients faster and more convenient through improving processes relating to payment of hospital bills which usually derails patients. Dr. Maria Lourdes K. Otayza, medical center chief II, lauded this initiative by “putting the hospital’s management on the right track” especially at a time when MMMH&MC is trailing to become a fully-accredited Performance Governance System institution which upholds true and genuine governance. With the cashless payment option for patients, MMMH&MC shall receive payment of hospital bills from patients through valid debits and credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) as well as prepaid cash cards issued by LBP or by

  BABAEN  ti FBSti Department of Agrarian Reform–Ilocos Norte, adu ti nasursuro dagiti mannalon ti San Nicolas ken Batac City maipanggep ti bookkeeping, cash flows, market surveys, labor, product selling, product costing ken packaging .  Inrakurak ni provincial agrarian reform program officer II (PARPO II) Vic M. Ines a limapulo ket innem a mannalon ti nagturpos itay kallabes iti Farm Business School (FBS) ti Department of Agrarian Reform–Ilocos Norte. Duaapulo ket siyam kadagiti nagturpos ket agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) manipud iti Capacuan Multipurpose Cooperative (MPC) ti Batac City. Dagiti dadduma pay a nagturpos ket ARBs a kamkameng ti Bugnay Development Cooperative ti ili ti San Nicolas. Kuna ni Mr. Ines, babaen iti FBS, nasursuruan dagiti mannalon nga agbalin nga entrepreneurs tapno lalo pay a dumakkel dagiti mapastrekda. Iti uneg ti duaapulo ket lima a session , naisuro kadagiti ARBs dagiti nasisita nga aspeto ti bookkeeping, cash flows, market s

(Tula mula sa aking puso para sa Araw ng mga Guro) Ni Hazel L. Espinosa Sa aming mga kamay inihain Buhay at kinabukasan ng batang hinabilin Napakadakila natin sa ating paningin Ngunit sa iba, sino nga ba tayo at di pinapansin? Tingin ng madla napakadali ng ating trabaho Malayong mas mahirap daw maging doctor at inhenyero Ayon sa kanila simple lang naman ito Magsasalita sa harapan at maghapong nakatayo Subalit di nila naiintindihan Ang pasan ng mundo sa amin nakaatang Paghahanda sa magandang kinabukasan ng kabataan Kailangan namin itong magampanan Pagdisiplina sa bata ay hirap ka na Lalo na’t pananakit sa kanila ay bawal pa Tiis tiis na lang kahit binabastos ka Sige lang teacher ika’y magpakadakila Gusto man naming magpakatotoo pero tayo ay modelo Sa isip, sa salita, sa gawa kailangang karespe-respeto Saan man sa mundo ka dadako at tutungo Magdahan dahan ka at mga mata’y nakatuon sa iyo.

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—In its bid to reduce single-use plastic in schools, public schools in the province will soon have their own potable water system for teachers and students to discourage them from buying bottled water or soft drinks. With a total budget of PHP1.5 million sourced from the 20% development fund and the maintenance and operating expenses, a total of 150 schools in the towns of Banna, Solsona, Pagudpud, and Nueva Era will be installed with a deep well potable water system next year, said Romeo Angay, Environment and Natural Resources Officer of Ilocos Norte in defense of his office proposed budget in 2020 during the budget hearing held at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. The installation of potable water system is among the major projects of the environment office under the Ilocos Norte provincial government next year including the continuous implementation of the “Ilocos Norte green wall” project which aims to grow more trees and

Laoag City — The Province of Ilocos Norte’s greening initiative against climate change was recognized as a national pioneer during the “Cash-for-Work for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Program” of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. On October 8 to 10, 2019 environment and natural resources office (ENRO) project head Estrella Sacro, presented the “Barangay Ranger Officer” (BRO) initiative under the “Green Wall Project” of the province. The presentation was held in Metro Manila, with eight other provinces in Luzon participating. “ Madami ang humanga sa implementation ng BRO natin kasi sa ibang probinsya wala silang ganito. Sabi ng panel of judges, kakaiba ang ating project,” Ms. Sacro remarked.   The BROs are primarily tasked to protect and maintain the “Green Wall Project” on identified plantation sites. Some of their responsibilities include forest fire prevention, planting of seedling, application of fertilizers to ensure high surviv