The Ilocos Times

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—The Provincial Incidence Response Management 911 in Ilocos Norte continues to save lives as quick-responders continue to act on hundreds of emergency calls over the last three years. With a growing number of callers every day, “Agent 5054”, a call taker at the PIRM center, reported that they receive an average of 50 calls per month or 600 calls annually. “Most of these cases are vehicular accidents next to health-related incidents and police assistance due to minor cases like nuisance and public commotion among others,” he said. Since it was launched on December 2016, the Ilocos Norte emergency hotline has grown from four call takers and one police officer on duty to 11 call takers and four police officers who take turns in a 12-hour shift. The center has a standby ambulance in front of the Capitol too. In 2018, the 911 Emergency Response Office was merged with the Department of Public Safety, adding two nurses an

the Dept. of Trade and Industry is encouraging franchise owners to expand in other Southeast Asian countries, as more Filipino brands are getting access to a larger share of the population of the region. Eric Elnar, DTI trade service officer of the Foreign Trade Service Corps, said they can use the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Community (AEC) to penetrate the ASEAN region. "Under the ASEAN, we have an ASEAN free trade agreement so basically, it just says that franchising is one of the sectors that is being promoted in the ASEAN agreement. So, it's a good idea for franchise owners in the Philippines to look at expanding first in other ASEAN countries before you expand elsewhere," he said. Mr. Elnar pointed out that franchising is considered under distribution services, same with retail and wholesale services, stipulated in the packages of services commitments in ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS). To expand presence in

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Region 1 announced that they have intensified the Bata Balik Eskwela Campaign to encourage school-age children to attend school. Ronald Punio, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino provincial link in Ilocos Norte province reported that they are trying to win back 2,930 school-age children who dropped out from school. “There are many reasons why these children are not in school. Some of the common problems identified were due to bullying by teachers and classmates, due to distance of their home to school and some of them prefer to work already even at young age,” he said For the month of May, Mr. Punio said the DSWD in collaboration with the Department of Education are conducting house visitations to talk with the children and their parents or guardians. “Our municipal links are doing their best efforts to provide interventions such as facilitating their transfer in other s

Laoag City —She left as Ilocos Norte governor; she returned as a senator. Senator-elect and outgoing Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos returned home on May 27, 2019 after her official proclamation as senator on May 22, 2019. She expressed her excitement as she finally returned to Ilocos Norte, saying: “It’s a real joy to be back home. Na -miss ko kayong lahat at ang Ilocos Norte. Ako’y talagang natutuwa na makapiling kayong muli sa natitirang panahon ko bilang gobernador ninyo .” The outgoing Ilocos Norte governor is also thankful to the Ilocano community for their firm support to her senatorial bid, as well as to the “Team Marcos” in the local elections. “Thank you so much for your devoted support. The North indeed remembers, and I will never forget. Kahit papaano’y nanguna ako hanggang sa Cagayan. It’s been a difficult campaign not only for me but also for those who won with me here in the province. Talagang the ‘Solid North’ is aliv

Paoay , Ilocos Norte—More than ten thousand people joined the “Himala sa Buhangin!” Arts and Music Festival staged by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte at the Paoay Sand Dunes on April 30, 2019 estimates made by the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office show. An initiative of outgoing Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos, “Himala sa Buhangin!”, or “Himala!”, is an annual event that features installations by Ilocano artists, and a variety of performances from local and national bands. It also showcases sand sport adventures such as 4X4 racing, sand castle making, sand boarding, and beach volleyball. “This is the largest ‘Himala!’ crowd since the annual event started in 2012. This year, we reconfigured our ‘Himala’ activities and focused on the concert; expecting more participants because of the front act.” said tourism operations officer Xavier Ruiz.   OPM rock band Kamikazee headlined this year’s event. The famous band rose to fame in the 2000s with iconic

Laoag City —In support of “Fridays for Future” (FFF) and 350.org’s environmental advocacies, more than 50 young Ilocano eco-warriors participated in the global climate strike at the Aurora Park in this city on May 24, 2019. FFF started when 15-year old Swedish school girl, Greten Thunberg, solely began protesting outside the Swedish parliament asking for immediate action on climate crisis. It went viral and she continued promoting her advocacy on her personal social media accounts. Ms. Thunberg delivered an eye-opening speech at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December last year. The first global climate strike was conducted on March 15, 2019 with an estimated 1.6 million students in 125 countries around the world joining the movement. Meanwhile, Switch Philippines (Switch PH) and Movement against Plastic Pollution (MAPP)-Ilocos Norte spearheaded the global strike in Ilocos Norte. It is the only province in Region I that joined this month’s movemen

Under the leadership of Area Head Jeffrey C. Querubin, PNB Northern Luzon Area 2 conducted school cleanup and beautification activities in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Abra. The Northern Luzon Area 2 of Philippine National Bank (PNB NOL 2) showed its support to the Brigada Eskwela 2019 of the Department of Education which kicked off on May 20, 2019 with the theme: “Matatag na Bayan Para sa Maunlad na Paaralan”. Under the leadership of Area Head Jeffrey C. Querubin, PNB NOL 2 conducted school cleanup and beautification activities in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Abra. The different PNB branches under NOL 2 also donated chairs, appliances, and construction materials to the schools. In the spirit of Bayanihan, PNB Northern Luzon Area 2 made a commitment to fully support the annual Brigada Eskwela of the Department of Education. The PNB NOL 2 Area Office, PNB Narvacan, PNB Vigan Florentino and PNB Vigan Quezon Avenue donated 200 pieces of hollow blocks,

US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Jahn Law and other embassy delegates pay a courtesy call to outgoing Laoag Mayor Chevylle V. Farinas during his visit to Laoag City on May 30, 2019. (Doms dela Cruz)

LAOAG CITY—Thousands of government workers at the Schools Division of Ilocos Norte are delighted to use a newly-established Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) courtesy of the Landbank of the Philippines. For a first time-user Mary Jane Yanos, accounting staff of the SDOIN of the new ATM machine in her workplace, she said this makes it a lot more convenient for her now that she no longer need to ride a tricycle going to the bank or mall just to withdraw money. “ Malaki ang tulong, mas mabilis at mas mura ang pagwi -withdraw ng pera kasi hindi na kami gagastos ng pamasahe papunta sa labas ,” said Ms. Yanos. The new ATM machine is housed at the north entrance wing of the division adjacent to the guard house for greater security. Employees from adjacent national government agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Civil Service Commission, Land Registration Authority and at least six neighboring schools and universities near the education d

She's a woman of grace and class Who possesses charm and wit Her love and dedication immense Her sacrifices boundless She went through leaps and bounds Undeterred by countless snags She was selfless but unyielding Their offspring her most valued jewels Each ones’ well-being and happiness Ahead of her own Her concerns, always her pickneys As she clashed her own demons Her nestlings’ welfare came first Loved, nourished and comforted Brought sunshine and easement in their growing pains Shared them much passions and wisdoms Prepared the innocents to stand the tests of times Stuck till all her eaglets were weaned Once they were silly, awkward, goofy but adorable Now all grown building nests of their own Her four eagles finally soaring high, with inspiring awe Enjoying with their fledglings’ zoo She's a proud but grounded Mama Eagle A nurturing Grandmama too! Cynthia Fonacier Capunitan California, USA

  Local election officials proclaim re-elected Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua as winner in the May 13, 2019 midterm election. Mr. Chua promises to continue his programs in all sectors for the betterment of all the Batacqueño.  Doms dela Cruz    By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Batac City —“ Agtultuloy latta iti napudno ken naayat a pinagserbi kenni Batacqueño tapnu sangsangkamaysa iti pinangpatibker ti adigi iti pinagdur-as ”. This was the statement reelected Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua said after his proclamation as in the 2019 midterm elections. Mr. Chua begins his second term as mayor on June 30, 2019. Mr. Chua said his programs and advocacies in the field of education, agriculture, infrastructures, health, social protection, tourism and all continues for the people of Batac and the city. He stressed that there is a need to complete and finish all the existing projects and programs of the city government now before starting new projects.

  Laoag City— Representing the Municipality of Sarrat, Precious Olay Neyra, 21, was crowned Miss Ilocos Norte 2019, besting 22 other ladies from all the cities and municipalities of the province in a well-attended coronation night, May 8 at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena in Laoag City. Ms. Neyra, a Sociology student at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños, also bagged the Sirib Award, as she proved her wit in a series of interviews conducted days before the pageant. In the final Q&A, Neyra was asked, “What is your dream for Ilocos Norte?” to which she answered fluently: “My dream is for us to be continuously be on the top spot for tourism in the Philippines. “I am going to do this by utilizing modern tools, such as social media, to showcase our beloved province and to tell people that we are unique not only because of our infrastructures and our heritage sites but also because of our people—the Ilocanas and the Ilocanos.” Ms. Neyra will be the prov

Iti kada eleksyon, saan koma laeng a dagiti kandidato ti mabutusan. Maikkan koma pay dagiti umili ti gundaway a mangpili ken mangbutos kadagiti kangrunaan a programa ken proyekto a rumbeng nga ipatungpal dagiti mabutusan nga opisyal. Ngamin, no panagkakampanya, nagadu ti kari dagiti kandidato. Ngem no maelektarandan, dagiti kaykayatdanto man lattan ti sangsanguenda. No dagiti umili ti mangpili kadagiti kangrunaan a programa ken proyekto a masapul a maipatungpal, mapilitan dagiti opisyal a mangimplementar kadagitoy, pabor man wenno saan iti bukodda a partido.  ***   Agpayso kadi nga adda maysa a konsehal iti lugartayo a sabali ti ob-obraenna iti rabrabii, nangnangruna no mabartek? Mapan kano nukua dita sentro ti ciudad ti Laoag nga agapro-apros kadagiti tricycle driver ken lallaki a tambay. Ket no permi a typena kano, tawaranna iti PHP300 tapno maiyawid wenno maipanna iti motel. Ne, no agpayso daytoy a naipadanun kadatayo, nakababain daytoy a konsehal! Rumbeng a maobserbar ken

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter Batac CITY—Scattered rain showers did not stop over 2,000 delegates from the 23 state universities and colleges in Regions I, II, III, and the Cordillera Administrative Region to show their strength and will power to join the 2019   Association of State Colleges and Universities-Solid North (ASCU-SN) Summer Olympics held at the Mariano Marcos State University main campus in this city on May 7-10, 2019. In her welcome speech, MMSU President Shirley Agrupis, also the incoming president of ASCU-SN, said she is delighted to see the largest gathering of inter-regional groups of state colleges and universities in the country which aims to foster solidarity and promote health and wellness among employees and the communities they serve. “Even Mother Nature is excited to have you here. In the past weeks, the heat was almost unbearable and so were very happy when it rained a few days back and we started praying for the rain to st

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter Burgos , Ilocos Norte—Fire volunteers from Brgy. Poblacion in this town will represent the province in the National Fire Olympics as they emerged as champion under the Barangay Category in the recently concluded Regional Fire Olympics in La Union on April 30, 2019. Composed of 14 participants including their coach and team leader, the Poblacion fire brigade also won in major awards such as Best in Bucket Relay and Best in Fire Extinguishment. Participated in by the four provinces of La Union, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, it is the first time an Ilocos Norte barangay representative won the overall championship. The 6 th Regional Fire Olympics aims to build camaraderie among fire brigade and volunteers and to select representatives in the National Fire Olympics on March 2020. “We are so much grateful to God for this award. Thank you to all of you who gave us inspiration, support, trust and prayers,” said B

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter Batac CITY—In an effort to bring its brand of education closer to people, the state-run Mariano Marcos State University visited Dumalneg, an Indigenous Peoples community in the province on May 19, 2019 to administer the college freshmen admission test (CFAT) to all interested graduates of senior high school. MMSU President Dr. Shirley Agrupis said in an interview that a number of incoming college freshmen had been wanting to take the CFAT but some fail to do so due to lack of transportation and allowance when going to Laoag or Batac campuses where CFAT is being administered. “We want as much as possible that Ilocos Norte graduates should benefit from the prime state-funded university so we are bringing CFAT to our IP communities,” said Dr. Agrupis. Based on 2018 CFAT data, she reported around 6,000 students made their reservations online but during the actual exam, only more than 3,000 showed up. “If we cannot bring CFAT to

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Batac City —Thousands of local, domestic and foreign tourists converged in this city to witness this year’s 11 th Farmers Festival celebration held May 1-5, 2019 with the theme: Rambakan Iti Panagdur-as Iti Biag Ni Mannalaon. This year’s festival kicked off with a motorcade around the city and a thanksgiving mass held at the Immaculate Conception Parish as the Batacqueños thanked the Almighty for the fruitful agricultural blessings followed by the official opening of said festival with a “Salo-Salo Merienda” which featured native delicacies for snacks were served. On the same day was the pre-judging of booths and exhibits, best photo booths and zanjera dance competition participated by the different rural barangays. May 2, 2019 marked the judging of the “PINAKA HVCDP”, corn, fresh water fish, livestock and endangered animals; Catching Piglets; Dog Show; Laro ng Lahi, RIC Dance Competition and the coronation night of the new Ba