The Ilocos Times

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—Almost 3,000 farmers and fisherfolks in Ilocos Norte will get free insurance coverage courtesy of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation. From July 11 to 31, 2019, field workers from the Office of the Provincial Agriculture will reach out to registered farmers and fisherfolk associations in the entire province to conduct technical briefing among target beneficiaries. For life insurance premiums pegged at PHP375 per beneficiary, the Ilocos Norte government allocated over P1 million for 2019. Meanwhile, the PCIC will shoulder the crop, fishery and livestock of the program beneficiaries. “The insurance program will be of great help to our farmer and fisherfolk beneficiaries since it guarantees that they can recoup farm losses that they may incur due to natural calamities,” said Dr. Luz Tabora, Provincial Agriculture Office officer-in-charge. Ms. Tabora explained th...

Idauluan ni Eddie Bueno,  tubo iti San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, dati a kameng ti hunta direktiba iti Oahu Filipino Community Council (OFCC)  dagiti baro nga opisiales ti Gumil Oahu 2019-2022 babaen iti pannakaannong ti eleksion a naangay idi Agosto 8, 2019 kas panangipakaammo da Silvino V. Bermisa, Jr., immediate past presesident ken ni Ric Agnes, mamagbaga, iti Jessie's Restaurant iti Honolulu, Hawaii. Nagpapaay ni Mr. Bueno a bise presidente sakbay a nabotosan a president. Maysa kadagiti kaaktibun nga opisial ti GO, dakkel ti akemna iti sarsuela, drama ken cultural presentation. Nagadal ni Mr. Bueno iti Divine Word College of Laoag, Laoag City.   Kadua ni Mr. Bueno a nabotosan da: Celerina Fernandez internal vice president; Gladys Mae Menor, external vice president; Dolores Saddo, recording secretary; Emelyn Damo, corresponding secretary; Nana Bueno, treasurer; Divina Menor, assistant treasurer; Myrna Villegas, auditor; Delia Nartatez, assistant auditor; Eddie Agp...

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—At least 20 Filipino teachers representing eight regions in the country are currently making waves in Korea to teach young Koreans about the Philippines rich history and culture. For a 39-year-old public school teacher Chandler Ibabao from a remote village in Pudtol, Apayao, visiting Korea to participate in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Asia-Pacific Center of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU) Teacher Exchange Program is far from her wildest imagination. Under the program, some selected teachers from the Philippines will teach their major subjects, along with Philippine history and culture, to elementary and middle school students in various regions of South Korea. Similarly, Korean teachers will also be in the Philippines next month to teach Filipino kids. Elated of her three-month long teaching experience at the Daejeon Jeonmin Elementary Sc...

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Batac City —Due to public demand, the Sangguniang Panlungsod here passed a resolution requesting Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) through the President Shirley Agrupis to offer maritime/seaman and criminology courses. Batac Sangguniang Kabataan federated president and council ex-officio member John Gabrielle Dominique M. Daguio and Batac councilor Bismark Angelo Quidang sponsored the said measure, with all who voted in favor it becoming co-sponsors. Upon the motion of Mr. Daguio, all members present during the session approved the measure on its second and final reading. According to Mr. Quidang, only private higher academic institutions offer said courses in the entire province of Ilocos Norte. He added that with state universities now offering free tuition fee and if MMSU and other education officials grant these, “dagitay arapaap dagitay kalugaran tayo a kayat da met iti ag seaman ken kayat da met iti rumang-ay it...

Zaragoza , Nueva Ecija—Farmers here have started to engage in special rice agripreneurship addressing the demand of province’s rice cake vendors and in Tarlac. In a ceremonial activity in Brgy. Mayamot, farmer-members of PhilRice’s Rice Business Innovations System (RiceBIS) Community Program planted special rice in a demo farm managed by the Ugat-Uhay Farmers Association (UUFA), June 21. The varieties included NSIC Rc 15 (Malagkit 2), 21 (Malagkit 5), and 402 (Tubigan 36), 428 (Sahod Ulan 19), and 430 (Sahod Ulan 20). Joel Pascual, PhilRice community development facilitator, said the association selected special rice because rice cake vendors place a premium on this type of rice. Demand on rice flour from special rice were also raised. With 40 farmer-participants, the program involves season-long capacity enhancement on agripreneurship and Farmer Business School to help them increase their income from rice farming. To sustain the enterprise, farmers were encouraged to...

  Laoag City —Reinforcing the Provincial Government’s initiative for inclusive growth, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc promised to provide adequate assistance to local government units (LGUs) in the province during a series of consultative meetings on July 31, 2019 at the municipalities of Adams, Pagudpud, and Dumalneg. On his statement, Mr. Manotoc assured the participants of his full support to aid problems and concerns of every municipality down to the grassroots: “ Una sa lahat, taos-puso ang aking pasasalamat sa inyong suporta noong nakaraang eleksiyon. Kaya po ako nandito ngayon upang ako naman ang makinig sa inyo. Gagawin po namin sa provincial government ang aming makakaya upang matugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng inyong komunidad, sa tulong ng LGU,” he stated. The meeting was attended and participated by municipal and barangay officials, headed by the mayors and barangay chairpersons, department heads, representatives from government ...

Commitments tested at best Feeling unattended, alone Away to places unknown Missing, anxious, bereft A never-ending roller coaster Old visions and dreams fading Becoming more aware Her spiritual being, emotional space Looking for revelation, stability Mélange of emotions, rushing in Steady now, she reminded herself On the beach hot sands She took long strides A mild anesthetic, dulled her pain She made effort, found balance Harmony within, her middle ground Explored the endless corridors Of her mind, searched for answers Trusted waves of energies That led her back to her heart The seed she planted inside Her eternal spark of self-love Gave her absolute reward of tranquility Her moods turned into different colors She felt her own power Evaluated the elements That brought her fulfillment She stepped into a new avenue Reached the root of who she was Allowed herself into freshness Understood her power She told herself, I can h...

BJMP Batac District Jail persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) prepare the fruiting bags as one of the steps for oyster mushroom production. MMSU personnel conducted a two-days skills training on oyster mushroom production at BJMP Batac from July 23 to 24, 2019. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Batac City —The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Batac District Jail and the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) are teaming up to begin oyster mushroom production. As a preparation, MMSU personnel conducted a two-day skills training on oyster mushroom production from July 23-24, 2019. MMSU director for extension Dr. Aris Reynold V. Cajigal said this program is no longer new to the BJMP considering that they have launched the same for the past year and was successful. As a result, J/Sr. Insp. Antonio Sapaden has again requested MMSU for assistance for the said project. “ Ta ngamin dagidi immunan a nag training ket nakarwar da...

Exporters who do not have online presence have expressed plans to do so, with the overwhelming majority of firms calling for faster internet service and lower shipping costs to improve competitiveness, according to the results of a recent survey. The survey was conducted during the General Membership Meeting of the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT) attended by around 200 members to find out the state of Philippine e-commerce, as domestic and cross-border e-commerce surges worldwide and is set to become the future of business and trade. Of the 83 respondents, 42 are engaged in e-commerce, 37 or 88% said they intend to continue, while 29, or 71%, of the 41 non-practitioners said they have plans of starting, said the report. Among those who are into e-commerce, 22 cater exclusively to the domestic market, 10 are exclusively cross-border sellers, and six do both markets. Social media is the most utilized tool in online selling, used by 30% of the surv...

Vintar Vice Mayor Victor Amado Rasimo and other members of the Sangguniang Bayan discuss amendments to their internal rules of procedures for better work input as the new set of councilors begin their terms. (Doms dela Cruz )

PPI’s New Board of Trustees headed by Manila Standard publisher Rolando Estabillo (6th from left). Manila Standard publisher Rolando Estabillo was elected as the new chairman and president of the Philippine Press Institute. Mr. Estabillo took the helm from former Ang Pilipino Star Ngayon editor-in-chief Al Pedroche, who described the PPI as the "most untainted media organization" in its 55 years of existence. Mr. Estabillo, who was elected unanimously by representatives of print publications from Mindanao, Visayas, Luzon, and Metro Manila, thanked the members for their trust and confidence in his leadership. Former corporate secretary Amelia Cabusao (Mindanao Times) was elected vice president, while Joenald Rayos (Pahayagang Balikas) was reelected treasurer and Dexter See (Herald Express) was elected as corporate secretary. Reelected as regional trustees were Messrs. Rayos and See for Luzon; former PPI Vice President Alex Rey Pal (The Dumaguete Metropos...

As the country gears for a possible shift to a federal form of government, former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. underscored the important role that media has to play in ensuring that Filipinos make an informed choice on the issue. Mr. Pimentel, a member of the consultative committee tasked by President Rodrigo Duterte to propose changes to the 1987 Constitution, acknowledged that many Filipinos still do not understand the concept of federalism. Nene Pimentel “This is why we need the media to play its role of educating our people. We need a free media to ensure that the dissemination of information is not controlled,” he said in his keynote speech during the 23rd National Press Forum of the Philippine Press Institute at Hotel Jen in Manila. Former Commission on Elections chairman and 1986 Constitutional Convention member Christian Monsod agreed: “Media has a big role to play, especially in education campaign and in providing the people with real news, not fa...

Newly installed Batac chief of police P/Lt. Col Michael Rae Arcustano (left) pays a courtesy call at the Sangguniang Panlungsod during their regular session while discussing some of his plans and programs for the city. Batac councilor Bismark Quidang (right) asks some questions while other Batac councilors and Batac Vice Mayor Windell Chua listen to the discussion. Mr. Arcustano started his term in July 1 2019. He was previously assigned at the Highway Patrol Group Assistant Regional Chief in Region IV prior to his new assignment here. (Doms dela Cruz )

One-centavo price ceiling on SMS proposed Sen. Imee R. Marcos Manila —One peso is way too much to pay for every text message you send. Senator Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos has filed Senate Resolution No. 6 strongly urging the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to immediately reduce and set a strict one-centavo price ceiling on the “exorbitant” cost of text messages. “We must balance the business interests of our telco providers and make sure that they abide by the global trend toward cheaper and faster services to the public,” Ms. Marcos said. Although the recent entry of a third telecommunications provider Dito Telecommunity is likely to lower customer fees charged by industry rivals Smart and Globe, Ms. Marcos said that the public should already enjoy lower charges, particularly on the short message service (SMS) or text messages.  "Even if text messages cost only one centavo each, the three telco providers would still be...

A health worker checks on a child. (Alaric Yanos) Laoag City —Alarmed by the increase of dengue-related deaths throughout the country, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) through the Provincial Health Office (PHO) distributed Dengue NS1Ag, an early dengue diagnostic predictor; larvicides; and insecticides, as preventive measure for possible outbreak, to different rural health units and district hospitals in the province. This is in response to the “National Health Emergency” declaration of the Department of Health (DOH) on July 20, 2019 following the deaths of at least 491 people due to the mosquito-borne disease. On July 15, 2019, the DOH said the Ilocos Region is among those they are closely monitoring for exceeding the dengue alert threshold. As of July 3, 2019, there are 353 cases reported in Ilocos Norte, alone—an 18.9% increase compared to last year’s record. DOH clarified that the alleged outbreak in the Ilocos province were confined to specific ba...

Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta–Marcos Laoag City —Hopeful to continue the initiatives of her late husband, former Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Mariano “Nonong” V. Marcos II, new Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta–Marcos sees the importance of continuing the advocacy of preserving and protecting the environment through the anti-plastic ordinance.   The late Mr. Marcos served as chairperson of the Committee on Environment from 2016-2019. He sponsored Provincial Ordinance No. 056-2007, also known as the Enactment of Ilocos Norte Environmental Code of 2007 which aims to provide framework of norms, standards, and requirements in the restoration and sustainability of nature in the province. “I am very passionate about the ordinance since my husband is the one who sponsored Ilocos Norte’s environment code and right now we talk about the issue about single-use plastic and how to penalize violators,” Mrs. Marcos said.   According to her, ...