PGIN, telco offer free Wi-Fi spots

Laoag City—In a bid to create more quality public spaces equipped with upgraded internet connectivity and accessible communication services, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), in partnership with a telecommunications company, started the installation of free wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) service in its pilot areas on September 18, 2019.

Areas for the phase I of public Wi-Fi service include the Provincial Capitol Building, Aurora Park, and the Laoag City Hall, San Nicolas IT Park, and the Batac City Hall.

“Last week, sinimulan na natin ang pag-install ng free Wi-Fi dito sa Provincial Capitol para mas mapadali pa ang transaction ng services natin. At the same time, while people are waiting for their turn in line, they can use the free internet for entertainment or for other important communication needs,” provincial information technology officer-in-charge Wilfredo Lorenzo Jr. said.

According to Mr. Lorenzo, after the Wi-Fi installation in the Provincial Capitol Building, the other pilot areas will follow.

Meanwhile, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc is positive that the installation will be completed before his first 100 days accomplishment report: “Hopefully in my first 100 days we can already have our request... In the next few months, may free public Wi-Fi na tayo,” he remarked.

Municipal halls, district hospitals, tourist destinations, and other public areas in the province are the following sites to undergo phase 2 free Wi-Fi installation.

“There was also a safety concern sa mga pulis na walang signal sa area nila.... Bigyan natin sila ng alternative means of communication, especially the police, disaster personnel, and people in healthcare,” Mr. Manotoc added.

Every user can access the free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes a day. Yet, the Provincial Government is in the process of persuading its partner telecommunications company to grant its request to extend accessibility to one hour. (Blessing Angel V. Agliam)

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...

Free dormitories eyed for Nueva Era students in LC, Batac

Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Nueva Era , Ilocos Norte—The municipal government here, headed by Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida is planning to establish dormitories in the cities of Laoag and Batac that will exclusively cater to college students from the said cities. “Sapay la kuma ta maituloyen iti mabiit tay ar-arapaapen tayo ken iti munisipyo a maipatakderan kuma dagiti annak tayo a college students nga agbasbasa idiay siyudad iti Batac ken Laoag iti libre a dormitoryo a bukod da ngem inggana nga awan pay ket an-anusan mi paylaeng nga ibaklay kenni apo bise mayor iti pagbayad da iti kasera aggapu iti bukod mi a suweldo malaksid dagitay it-ited iti munisipyo ken iti barangay nga stipend da kada semester, ” Garvida said. Garvida added that the proposed establishment of dormitories would be a big help to the students’ parents as this would shoulder the expenses of their children for rent and likewise they would feel...

P29 per kilo rice sold to vulnerable groups in Ilocos region

BBM RICE. Residents buy rice for only PHP29 per kilo at the NIA compound in San Nicolas town, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. The activity was under a nationwide pilot program of the government to sell quality and affordable rice initially to the vulnerable sectors. (Lei Adriano) San Nicolas , Ilocos Norte —Senior citizens, persons with disability, and solo parents availed of cheap rice sold at PHP29 per kilogram during the grand launching of the Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) Rice held at the National Irrigation Administration compound in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. “ Maraming salamat Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa inyong pagmamahal sa Region 1 lalong-lalo na sa bayan namin sa San Nicolas,” said Violeta Pasion, a resident Brgy. 18 Bingao in this town. The low-priced grains were sourced from the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) contract farming with irrigators' association members in the province. Along with Pasion, Epi...

The Ilocos Times

Search This Blog