The Ilocos Times

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—The Ilocos Norte provincial government is beefing up rice stocks in the province to ensure steady supply even in extreme emergency situations or during strong typhoon. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan unanimously approved Draft Provincial Resolution No. 2019-11-060 authorizing Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc to execute and sign a memorandum of agreement with the National Food Authority for the rice sales in preparation for the occurrence of natural calamities. As the harvest season is nearing to an end in the province, SP member Domingo Ambrocio, chair of the committee on agriculture said in an interview that there is a need to maintain a stable price of major crops in the province. Last year, the Ilocos Norte board has allocated around PHP35 million for the purchase of palay and rice in the province to qualified rice traders and farmers. Qualified traders refer to groups and individuals who are engage

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—Aurora Park in this city shone the brightest on the evening of December 17, 2019 as it hosted 50 local exhibitors from various parts of Region 1 in their traditional fashion wear while showcasing the best quality food and non-food products they have at hand. Running for 24 years now, the ‘Partuat ti Kailokuan’ Trade Fair continues to attract exhibitors and consumers to uplift each other for inclusive growth. For the Department of Trade and Industry which is on the frontline of conducting the annual trade fair, acting provincial director Rosario Quodala reiterated during the opening ceremony that micro, small and medium enterprises play a vital role in local employment generation and economic development. As a flagship program of the national government through the DTI’s MSME Development Plan 2017-2022, Ms. Quodala said the conduct of trade fairs provides more opportunities to small entrepreneurs and small busi

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—Local revenue sources will increase this year with the approval of 140 permits of quarry applicants last year. Records from the Provincial Quarry Office showed the provincial government has released at least 91 of the 140 permits with the remaining permits due for release on the first week of January 2o20. Compared to previous years, there were only 77 approved quarry permittees in 2018, and 113 in 2019. For this year, Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Donald Nicolas, in his capacity as chair of the committee on appropriations, said they expect an increase in the collection of local revenues in view of the increase in quarry fees. In addition to real property taxes, the quarry industry is a major local revenue source of local government units in the province. Under the Provincial Quarry Ordinance, both the provincial and municipal governments have a share of 30% from quarry fees and charges while the host barang

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—With the influx of foreign tourists visiting Ilocos Norte, travel operators said they are in need of more tour guides to assist guests and make their stay memorable in the province. According to Angel Lao, former president of the Ilocos Norte Travel and Tours Association and a travel agency owner, she said Ilocos residents who are still looking for employment or those who wish to have an alternative source of income may consider attending a short term course on tour guiding seminar to join the exciting world of growing tourism industry in the region. As a ground handler of shore excursions in this northern part of Luzon, Lao said tour guiding is an exciting job with a good pay. “We are looking for more tour guides as we expect more tourists to visit our province this year,” she said as she observed a shortage of tour guides whenever there are cruise ships that simultaneously dock at the Currimao seaport in this provin

  Ginasgasut a sako ti fertilizer ti inbunong ti Department of Agrarian Reform– Ilocos Norte kadagiti agrarian reform beneficiaries iti Marcos, Dingras, Piddig, Nueva Era ken Solsona. Ginasgasut a sako ti organic ken commercial fertilizer ti inbunong ti Department of Agrarian Reform–Ilocos Norte kadagiti agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB) iti probinsya. Dagiti naikkan ti sinaksako a fertilizer ket dagiti mannalon a kameng ti Pacifico ARB Multipurpose Cooperative (Marcos), Baldias AR Cooperative (Dingras), Namnama ARB Multipurpose Cooperative (Piddig), Garnaden Multipurpose Cooperative (Nueva Era) ken Catangraran AR Cooperative (Solsona).   Nabunungan pay ti seeds ken insecticide dagiti ARB manipud iti Baldias AR Cooperative, Pacifico ARB MPC, Namnama ARB MPC ken Garnaden MPC. Inbatad ni provincial agrarian reform program officer II Vic M. Ines a ti fertilizer distribution ket naipatungpal babaen ti Convergence on Livelihood Assistance for Agrarian Reform Benef

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Laoag City —City councilor Handy T. Lao is urging the local government and private businesses here to hire senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs). In an approved Sangguniang Panlungsod resolution which he sponsored, Mr. Lao said he based the measure in pursuant to Republic Act A No. 9994, Section 5 (a) which states, “Senior Citizens who have the capacity and desire to work, or, be re-employed, shall be provided information and matching services to enable to be productive members of society”. He also noted Section 5 of RA No. 7277 which also provides, “No disable person shall be denied access opportunities for suitable employment”. Mr. Lao further stressed that the city government should also adopt the national government’s recognition of the role of senior citizens and PWDs in developing a strong Filipino nation and their integral part in the society. The city promotes and gives full support to the improve

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—A former overseas worker immediately reported to the police on January 1, 2020 that a stray bullet hit his home, while he and his family were all busy welcoming the new year. In a spot report of the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office, P/Major Relly Layug, provincial public information officer of the Ilocos Norte police confirmed the damage to property caused by a stray bullet at the residence of Alvin Guerrero, 44 at Barangay 2, P. Gomez Street, this city. “While I entered the living room at 11:30 pm Tuesday [December 31, 2019], I noticed a hole at the eastern part of our sliding glass door and another hole at the west wall. So, I immediately informed the police,” said Mr. Guerrero in an interview adding, it was fortunate no one was at the living area that time. After the Laoag police responded in Guerrero’s home, P/Lt. Col. Amador Quiocho, Laoag City police chief reported the stray shot allegedly came from the eas

Laoag City —To reinforce the contribution of information system in community development, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) through the Communications and Media Office (CMO), will hold series of seminars dubbed “Barangay Information Network—Ilocos” (BIN-I) in every municipality and city of the province starting December 7, 2019. Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials acting as information officers were invited to participate in its initial launching in the Municipality of Dingras. “BIN-I” aims to strengthen information network in province by establishing trained and responsible information officer in barangay level. It will also provide immediate access to information regarding PGIN programs such as medical assistance, scholarship opportunities, livelihood support and job fairs, and other public service announcements.   “For the past nine years, the information is always coming from the Provincial Government disseminated to the local g

Laoag Mayor Michael Marcos-Keon administers the oath of office of newly elected officers of the Federated Tricycle Association of Laoag City after the regular flag raising ceremony in front of the city hall. They are: President: Francisco Martin, Vice-President: Rosalino Marcos Jr., VP External: Eduardo Soriano, Secretary: Robert Domingo, Treasurer: Jayson Barlan, Asst. Treasurer: Lorenzo Lazaro, Auditor: Vincent Dela Cruz, Business Managers: Martin Gramaje, Eric Tagalicud, Bryan Bagaoisan, P.I.O (CITY): Oswaldo Gumanoy, Fernando Tomas, P.I.O (Barangay): Ruby Coloma, Alexander Agustin; Peace Officers (City): Charlie Dumlao, Julius Guzman, Resty Fuerte, Alwyn Martin, Albert Valdez; Peace Officers (Barangay): Jun Nicolas, Adelberto Figuracion, Leonides Pascua, Eric Rabaja and Benjamin Teodoro. (Doms dela Cruz)

  Laoag City —Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc assured the Ilokano community of sustained growth and development in the province through the intensified implementation of the provincial government’s priority programs during a press meeting. “I can say that I have worked hard and have tried my best. I am looking forward to have my first full year [as Governor] and to really see results. I want to make sure that our people will feel that things are going to the right direction,” Mr. Manotoc remarked. Included in his tasks even during the holiday season, he ordered the Sangguniang Panlalawigan “to expedite the revision of Ilocos Norte’s Revenue Code and the ‘fair market value.’” “ Ang laki ng mawawala sa atin kapag hindi pa ito naayos . I hope we can finish it this year para new year, new revenue code na rin ,” Mr. Manotoc said. Meanwhile, when asked about his experience for the first six months of his term, he said: “I am trying to find a way to prior

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter City of Batac —In support of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s anti-smoking program, the city government here has totally prohibited tobacco smoking and vaping, or e-cigarettes, in all designated and public places within this city.     The new directive was based on an ordinance approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod authored by Batac councilor Ramon M. Gaoat. Mr. Gaoat said the measure was in support of the President’s mandate by virtue of Executive Order No. 26 providing for the establishment of a smoke-free environment on public and enclosed places. Republic Act No. 8749, or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, also prohibits smoking inside enclosed public places including public vehicles and other means of transport, and other enclosed areas directing the LGUs for strict implementation. As a doctor of medicine by profession, Mr. Gaoat said tobacco smoking and vaping with e-cigarette contains nicotine which is highly addic

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Laoag City —A city councilor here sponsored a resolution calling for the creation of Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) with its corresponding personnel. Laoag councilor Roque Benjamin Ablan, the resolution’s sponsor, said the measure aims to promote the social justice in all phases of national development as mandated by the 1987 Philippine Constitution in the Declaration of Principles and State Policies. Under Article 13 of the same Constitution includes disabled persons as one of the priority sectors to be given access to essential goods and services at affordable cost and further provides that the State shall establish a special agency for disabled persons for their rehabilitation, self-deployment and self-reliance and their integration into the mainstream of the society. Section 16 of RA No. 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991 also states that “Government units shall ensure and support amo

(From left) 3rd runner-up, Miss Cal-laguip—Ma. Luisa Erika Francia; Miss ABC 2019, Miss Acosta—Ceara Marie Franco; Miss Batac 2019, Miss Caunayan—Andrea Nizza Mae Ganno; 1st runner-up, Miss San Mateo—Christian Lorens Adatan; 2nd runner-up, Miss Tabug—Dianne Joyce Piñol.

By Reynaldo E. Andres Contributor CITY of BATAC —More than 1,000 employees of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) are expected to enjoy a festive Christmas holiday with granting of the PHP25,000 collective negotiation agreement (CNA) incentive, or Yuletide bonus this year. Dr. Oscar M. Agpaoa, director of the university’s Financial Management Office disclosed that the university had reserved a budget of more than PHP21 million for the payment of the employees’ CNA incentive. "MMSU personnel who were entitled to the CNA incentive are those regular, casual, and contractual employees," Dr. Agpaoa said. Personnel appointed between July and September 2019 were entitled to a pro-rated CNA, while those who have retired from the service before September 30, 2019 shall also be authorized a pro-rated share. The CNA incentive is given based on the savings of the university from expenses in electricity, travel, communication outlays, repairs and maintenance

Dingras , Ilocos Norte—Bureau of Fire Protection officials in this town, led by SFO3 Marlou D. Colobong, gave a more meaningful Christmas to the orphans of Shekinah Home in this town. The Dingras firefighters exchanged their firefighting equipment for a fund-raising project to give the Shekinah Home orphans a brighter Yuletide season. Aside from treating them to sumptuous meals, BFP-Dingras personnel also gave them Christmas gifts with the BFP mascot “Berong Bumbero” leading the gift-giving ceremony at the orphanage’s compound in Brgy. Cali, this town. During the event, Mr. Colobong said, “Christmas should be for the children and as such, we at BFP-Dingras, are doing what we can to give these orphans a brighter Christmas”. Meanwhile, BFP-Dingras also implemented the “Oplan Paalala-Iwas Paputok” in this town. Firefighters distributed flyers to residences and local officials through the “Ugnayan sa Barangay” project. They also posted BFP advocacy tarpaulins

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—It pays to be a volunteer. More than the special award conferred on December 16, 2019 to Brgy. Poblacion, Burgos volunteer workers at the South Wing Lobby of the House of Representatives at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City, barangay officials and other volunteers of the said Ilocos Norte barangay are elated for the unexpected recognition. Barangay Poblacion in Burgos, Ilocos Norte is one of the three national awardees for the special citation for local government unity category for its existing volunteer programs. The other LGUs include the municipality of La Trinidad in Benguet Province and Mandaluyong City. Fresh from visiting family members and friends in the United States, Brgy. Poblacion chairperson Joegie Jimenez said the small piece of recognition in the search for the outstanding volunteers in the country has further inspired them to continue what they have started at their barangay. “We are very mu

Laoag City —The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, through the Ilocos Norte Youth Development Office (INYDO) and in partnership with Philippine Red Cross (PRC) called for blood donors as they conducted the “Sirib Youth Blood Bank” donation drive on November 29, 2019 from 9:00 A.M to 2:00 P.M., at the Philippine Red Cross Office, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. The ‘Sirib Youth Blood Bank,’ a quarterly activity of the INYDO and the PRC started in 2017, to celebrate INYDO’s fourth anniversary. “Aside from the fact that this activity promotes volunteerism among Ilokano community, particularly the donors, it is also one way of showing unity or panagkaykaysa . Simpleng aktibidad lang siya kung tutuusin , but it could help and save hundreds of lives; sa mga Ilokano families who will be needing blood supply,” Willie Jake Sib-at, local youth development officer remarked. Since 2017, the INYDO recorded almost 200 donors from various institutions, organization, and groups througho

The Department of Agriculture accelerates the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) by releasing the P10 billion allotment to implementing agencies. Agriculture Secretary William Dar said 32 percent, or PHP3.2 billion, is being used for RCEF program activities such as procurement of high-quality inbred seeds, bidding of farm machines, granting of loans, and training of rice specialists. “[RCEF activities] are timely as [it’s generally the start of rice cropping season]. Now, the program is rolling out and [recently launched] in Roxas, Isabela. [We’re starting to make] the farmers productive, competitive, and progressive through the program,” Dar said in a press conference, Tuesday, at the Agricultural Training Institute in Quezon City. Under seed component, Dr. Flordeliza Bordey, deputy executive director for special concerns of Philippine Rice Research Institute, said about 2 million bags of seeds are procured as of Oct. 18 while more than 2,000 bags of certified

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Laoag City —As “active tools in achieving inclusive growth for reform and development”, the Laoag and Batac Sangguniang Panlungsod have approved their annual budgets for CY 2020: PHP928,331,364.63 and PHP736,647,586.14, respectively. The annual budget approval is in pursuant to Section 318 of Republic Act No. 7160, the Local Government Code of 1991, and Local Budget Memorandum No. 78 of the Department of Budget and Management. On December 10, 2019, the Laoag Sangguniang Panlungsod unanimously approved the budget authored by Laoag councilor Handy T. Lao, chairperson of the committee on budget and appropriations. Laoag Mayor Michael Marcos-Keon said that the budget was prepared with a thorough review and evaluation of the proposals submitted by the different offices of the city. Mr. Marcos-Keon said the city adopted the mechanism of “participatory budgeting to ensure prudent, transparent and accountable allocation and use of