The Ilocos Times

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—The Ilocos Norte Provincial library i-hub is offering free internet service and wi-fi access to students undergoing online class in this time of “new normal”. In a social media post on the official page of the provincial government of Ilocos Norte, the Ilocos Norte i-hub, located at the second floor of the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena announced a new section has been added to the library called, ‘TeknoAklatan’. This is a digital library containing a collection or database of digital books (e-books) covering various subjects and accessed through the computers at the library i-hub. With the extended modified general community quarantine in the province where computer shops are not yet permitted to open, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc said students who lack computers at home or having problems with slow internet and wi-fi connectivity can avail of the i-hub’s new services for free. At present, some students in th...

Laoag City— Guaranteeing food security in the province amidst the escalating threat of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the provincial government assures the public that it has enough rice supply during the month-long enhanced community quarantine.   According to Sustainable Development Center head, Edwin Cariño, the National Food Authority (NFA)-Ilocos Norte reported a total of 197,647 bags of rice serving as a buffer stock, good for 46 days, are available in their different warehouses. Also, the NFA has already released a total of 3,905 bags of rice to different local government units (LGUs).   He further assured that the second harvesting season this March and April will boost the rice supply in the province.   “15,000 hectares of the planted area can produce at least 1.2 million bags of palay and once milling preparation is completed, about 780,000 bags of rice will be added to our buffer stock which is sufficient for over six months,” Mr. Cariño added. ...

Laoag City —The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) has officially received its requested units of ambulance from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), in front of the Provincial Capitol Building in this city on April 7, 2020. Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph  M. Manotoc, along with the heads of hospitals in the province who are recipients of the donation, witnessed the arrival of the first two out of four patient-transport vehicles, which the PCSO earlier pledged. The receiving hospitals will primarily use the ambulances as additional transport services addressing coronavirus-related concerns. “ Gusto naming magpasalamat dahil dumating na ang  request  ng  provincial government.  Wala pang mga  medical equipment  at instruments sa loob  [ambulance]  kaya  magdadagdag tayo ng mga kulang at kailangan para maging  full-pledged ambulance  ang mga ito . ‘ Yung  next two ambulances  ay parati...

  Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc inspects the donation of the Chinese Consulate in Laoag City. (Alaric Yanos) Laoag City —The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), through the initiative of Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc allocated PHP19.5 million for the procurement of medical oxygen machines and for the construction of a warehouse.   The allocated amount for medical oxygen is among the listed projects in the Supplemental Budget No. 1 of the province, which the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed and approved by Mr. Manotoc   The provincial board sourced the funds from the unappropriated surplus budget from the previous year.   “The Provincial Government allocated PHP18 Million for the medical oxygen machines and PHP1.5 Million for the medical oxygen warehouse. With these, we will be able to produce our own medical oxygen. Our governor is hopeful that through this initiative, we could soon provide medical oxygen to governme...

  By Bernardo B. Ver II Contributor   San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte—The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Ilocos Norte 2nd District Engineering head Mathias Malenab stressed that they in full support of President Rodrigo R. Duterte's “Build, Build, Build” project.   In supporting the said project, he said they vow to maintain the organization's standards for various programs and services planned and those that they will soon introduce to the province.   Apart from that, Mr. Malenab said he is highly appreciative of the President for deploying additional nine new engineers who took the oaths of office on March 10, 2020 as a part of the president's jobs undertaking as well.   DPWH, he noted, is very supportive of the government's goal towards sustainable development and immeasurable services.

By Consul & Head of Post Zhou Youbin On June 9, 1975, former President Ferdinand Marcos and First Lady Imelda Marcos from Ilocos Norte paid a successful state visit to China that opened the door for exchanges between China and the Philippines. President Marcos and China's Premier Zhou Enlai jointly signed a communique which established the diplomatic relations between the two countries, and over the past 45 years, this bilateral relation have gone through ups and downs but kept moving forward. Since 2016, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Rodrigo Duterte, China-Philippines relations have witnessed a turn-around, consolidation and elevation, and entered a new golden era. The two countries have elevated our relationship into one of comprehensive, strategic cooperation. And through practical cooperation, fruitful results have been yielded bringing benefits to both countries and their peoples. Moreover, the exchanges and cooperat...

Laoag City —The city government here hiked tricycle fare to PHP20 for the first kilometer and an additional PHP2 for succeeding kilometer. The fare adjustment is part of the "new normal" as only one passenger is now allowed per tricycle. Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, the city fare was at PHP12 for the first kilometer and an additional PHP2 for the succeeding kilometer. The new fare rate for persons with disabilities is PHP18. Senior citizens and students were not mentioned in the ordinance. The new fare rates will last until the general community quarantine is in effect; provided the GCQ lifting will also result in the rescinding of the one-passenger rule. Those who voted for the new fare rates are Laoag councilors Juan Conrado A. Respicio II, Handy T. Lao, Justine Clarence G. Chua, Edison U. Chua, Roque Benjamin C. Ablan, Jaybee G. Baquiran and Edison H. Bonoan. Voting against the ordinance were Laoag councilors Roger John C. Fariñas, Derrick B. Lao, and Jason ...

Laoag City —Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc considers easing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) protocols to allow the resumption of business operations in Ilocos Norte after the extension period of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) on April 30, 2020.   “Hopefully, after this Luzon ECQ, we can resume business not as usual but with certain adjustments,” Governor Marcos Manotoc said in a press conference last April 13.   In doing so, he ensured to implement necessary precautions to avert the possible “second surge” of COVID-19, noting the stern measures in provincial borders to prevent the unnecessary entry of any individuals.     “We have more than two weeks until that time. If we don’t have any new suspect cases coming from Metro Manila, abroad, or other infected areas in the next few days, we’re hoping that after April, we are giving ways for freedom and create our own version of quarantine,” he explained.   How...

  Laoag City —In efforts to safeguard the hog industry from economic loss, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVet) is pleased to inform that Ilocos Norte remains free from the African Swine Fever (ASF) disease.   “Half of the provinces in Northern Luzon are ASF-affected. Ilocos Norte is one of the few provinces that are still safe from ASF including Ilocos Sur, Apayao, and four other provinces,” provincial government veterinarian Dr. Loida Valenzuela remarked.   On March 2, 2020, the Bureau of Animal Industry reported that the provinces of Cagayan, Kalinga, Benguet, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan, and Isabela in Northern Luzon have been hit with the highly contagious and deadly swine disease.   Since the occurrence of ASF in the country, the Ilocos Norte provincial government has imposed temporary restrictions on the entry of live hogs, frozen hog semen, and pork products from ASF-hit provinces.   Moreover, PVet is constantly coordinating wi...

  Laoag City —The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, in partnership with Globe Telecom, Inc., has launched its “Go Wi-Fi” service in key locations in the province to bring free internet connection and accessible communication services to Ilokanos.   Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc and Globe President and Chief Executive Officer Ernest Cu signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall Capitol Building on February 11, 2020 to begin the operations.   Cosignatories included Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, Globe Director for Business Development and Marketing Janis Racpan, Globe Senior Vice President for Enterprise Group Peter Maquera, and Globe Executive Vice President for Channel Management Bernard Llamzon.     At present, the free public Wi-Fi services are available at the Provincial Capitol Building, Aurora Park, Laoag and Batac City Halls, and San Nicolas IT Park.   ...

Laoag City —The provincial government’s “Kadiwa Rolling Store”, also known as “Kadiwa Express” started to roam once again to provide basic and more affordable commodities to Ilokano families throughout the province. The ‘Kadiwa Express,’ manned by the employees of the Provincial Capitol headed to the municipalities of Adams and Dumalneg on April 1, 2020 to bring various commodities such as rice, local fruits and vegetables as well as instant noodles, canned goods, powdered sugar and coffee, among other, which are sold at much lower prices compared to prevailing market rates. This initiative serves as aid to farmers and local entrepreneurs as well as to residents whose access to basic needs are limited due to the enhanced community quarantine in the province, caused by the Corona virus (COVID-19). Adams Mayor Rosalia Dupagen rejoiced when she was informed that the ‘Kadiwa Express’ will set up in their town: “I am thankful to PGIN kasi malaking tulong ang pag -deliver ng mga a...

By Leilanie G. Adriano ( Staff Reporter) LAOAG CITY– The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) has certified its commitment for a long-lasting partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government after granting it the land utilization request for the construction of a permanent building for its provincial office personnel. On February 27, 2020, employees of the DILG both from the provincial and municipal levels are all smiles as they witnessed the signing of the deed of usufruct agreement between the PGIN led by Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc and DILG Regional Director James Fadrilan at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall in this city. According to Mr. Fadrilan, employees of the DILG provincial office have long been longing for a permanent office building after moving from one place to another where there is space available for rent. “Today marks the beginning of a new and significant chapter in our organization. It is indeed a big bles...