The Ilocos Times

THIS happens when we allow ourselves not to be guided by faith. No matter how intelligent and smart we are, if we are not guided by our Christian faith, it would just be a matter of time before we become the worst beast on earth, inflicting all kinds of evils far worse than what other animals can cause. We are reminded of this scary fact of life by that gospel episode where Herod started to get disturbed by what he heard about Christ. (cfr. Lk 9,7-9) “He was greatly perplexed because some were saying, ‘John has been raised from the dead’; others were saying, ‘Elijah has appeared’; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’” We, of course, know how this drama would unfold. It led to the worst evil that can be committed—the killing of the very son of God who became man to save us! The animals can only do so much harm on us. But we, when we are not guided by faith, can do a lot worse things—genocide, all kinds of evil conspiracies, etc.—until we ourselves reach that poin

Dear Mr. President : I am writing you about the long journey that Filipino students must make from enrollment to employment, and how difficult it is for them to arrive at their destination, and that is a stable job, while having a good career or profession. As it is now, that journey is fragmented, and they are bound to encounter problems in every fragment, and there is no one to help them with those problems, more often than not. According to human resources expert Ms. Deanne Hernandez, it is possible to plan the entire journey of students from the time that they are enrolled in the schools, to the time that they are assigned to temporary engagements as part of “on the job” (OJT) programs. Ms. Hernandez was quick to clarify that these should be real OJT programs with actual work to do, and not the bogus “programs” where the students are just assigned to make coffee and to photocopy documents. When I was the Dept. Manager of the Information Technology Systems Department (ITSD) of the P

City of Batac —The Mariano Marcos State University and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) unveiled this year’s rice paddy art featuring Senator Imee R. Marcos and her flagship program, "IMEEsolusyon!" on Sept. 11, 2024 at the MMSU Extension Demonstration Area. As a former Ilocos Norte governor Norte and a champion of agricultural development, Marcos continues to lead initiatives supporting local farmers, promoting food security, and improving rural infrastructure. Her “IMEEsolusyon!” platform underscores her commitment to these crucial issues, vital to the country’s agricultural progress. “I am deeply honored to be featured in this project. It not only celebrates my work but also pays tribute to the dedication of Filipino farmers and the future of agriculture,” Marcos remarked during the unveiling. She urged Ilocano farmers, particularly the youth, to join her in advocating for enhanced food security in the Philippines. “I would also like to commend MMSU fo

Laoag City —Senator Imee R. Marcos sponsored a legislative measure on Sept. 9, 2024, that aims to further empower and strengthen cooperatives, which are considered a lifeline for farmers, fisherfolk, small businesses, and families as proven during the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises. “ Sa panukalang ito, layon nating gawing mas madali at mas abot-kaya ang kanilang mga pangarap sa pamamagitan ng tax exemption, mas mababang kapital, at maluwag na patakaran sa pagsasagawa ng joint venture,” Marcos said. Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2811, which proposes the passage of the “Revised Cooperative Code of the Philippines,” aims to shore up the financial position and capacities of agricultural cooperatives by allowing farm and fisheries clustering and consolidation; and inter-cooperative arrangements “to pursue value and supply chain solutions and other agribusiness development programs.” This encourages big cooperatives to “adopt” micro agricultural cooperatives by infusing capital and know-

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

USAID mission director Ryan Washburn (5 th from left) and Cagayan provincial administrator Atty. Maria Rosario Mamba-Villaflor (4 th from left) with provincial government staff stand in front of a mobile storage unit handed over by USAID and the World Food Programme. Tuguegarao , Cagayan —On Sept. 9 and 10, 2024, the United States government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), handed over a mobile storage unit and mobile energy systems worth more than PHP11.6 million (US$208,000) to boost Cagayan province’s disaster risk reduction capacity. USAID mission director Ryan Washburn handed over a mobile storage unit that can store 50,000 food packs to Cagayan Provincial Administrator Atty. Maria Rosario Mamba-Villaflor.   The mobile storage unit will allow the provincial government to store food and non-food items so they can rapidly deliver life-saving assistance in the immediate aftermath of disasters. “For many years, USAID has dispatched teams to Cagayan

Laoag City —“Now, more than ever, my father continues to live in the heart of every Ilokano and every Filipino,” Senator Imee R. Marcos remarked during the wreath-laying ceremony for the 107 th birthday celebration of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr. in the City of Batac on Sept. 11, 2024. The province of Ilocos Norte commemorates every year the birth of President Marcos Sr. through a week-long celebration with various activities that aim to honor his legacy in nation-building. In Marcos’ speech, she emphasized that her father's legacy remains alive in the hearts of Filipinos, particularly Ilokanos, whose lives were significantly shaped by his leadership. She underscored how the late President's contributions have transcended generations and continue to affect the various sectors at present. "My father lives in the heart of every youth studying at public high schools, state universities and colleges, and the Mariano Marcos State University, which he fou

I have been managing local area networks (LANs) since my days as a director of Management Information Systems (MIS) at the Dept. of Foreign Affairs (DFA), as part of my duties as a Foreign Service Officer (FSO). Although LANs was just a new and emerging technology at that time, the division that I managed was able to build a LAN that covered the entire building using twisted pair cables, somewhat an amazing feat at that time. Since we had no budget for a true server at that time, we were able to configure a relatively high-powered personal computer (PC) to function as a “server”, at least good enough to function as a file server and an email server. Also, because we did not have a budget for a true server, I was able to get a subscription to ATT Mail, and that is how the DFA was able to send and receive worldwide for the first time at that time. When I became the director-general of the National Computer Center (NCC), true servers were already commonplace, and LANs were already more a

SINCE we are patterned after Christ, we should also have the same heart as that of Christ which is full of compassion. This was shown, for example, in that episode where a big crowd followed him in a desert place and was moved with compassion and healed their sick when he saw them. (cfr. Mt 14,13-21) We actually have a thirst for loving, though we must also realize that that thirst can only be completely quenched by the infinite love of God as shown to us by Christ. That is why in the Book of Proverbs we read these words from God: “Give me, my child, your heart, and let your eyes guard my ways.” (Prov 23,26). When we struggle to give our heart to the Lord, we would actually be expanding our capacity to love others, because our loving would go beyond its purely human and natural ways and would enter into the spiritual and supernatural ways of God. It’s a love that is given gratuitously, without measure, and continues to be given despite being rejected. For this supernatural kind

By Noralyn O. Dudt NO MASKS REQUIREMENTS   in public schools   was legislated and executed   by Republican officials   in Iowa, Arkansas,   Arizona, Utah, Texas, Montana,   Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina during the thick of the COVID-19 epidemic.   It was a shocking declaration that   prevented   local governments and school districts from mandating the wearing of masks. It was an executive action that no one expected   as thousands were already dying from the virus   by the   day   and many of the dead   awaiting burials were kept in refrigerated trucks. Indeed a legislation that seemed incomprehensible until we pause to think and ask ourselves, was this one of the   features of "individual liberty" that Republicans espoused? Other issues like gun violence in public schools and other public places want us to scream , "enough is enough,"   let us enact stricter gun laws. But these are cries that have been muted by "you cannot take away my gun; it's

INTERNET CONNECTIVITY. Personnel of the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the  Ilocos Norte provincial government on Aug, 29, 2024 discuss the implementation of GovNet in the cities of Laoag and Batac. GovNet aims to provide a transparent, efficient, and effective governance through the use of online connectivity among government agencies. (Photo courtesy of Ilocos Norte province) By Leilanie G. Adriano LAOAG CITY—The provincial government of Ilocos Norte is currently upgrading its internet connectivity through the PHP21 million funding from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to implement the Government Network (GovNet) to 85 government agencies here. DICT is implementing GovNet to help address the basic needs of the government for transparency, efficiency, and effective governance through ICT. Under the program, DICT is responsible for providing the actual Fiber Optic Cores and the other peripherals that are necessary for e

The Dept.   of Trade and Industry (DTI) has issued preliminary orders and preventive measures to suspend the trade of several vape brands while a formal investigation is ongoing. The vape brands facing trade suspension are: SHFT & DR FREEZE (manufacturer Shenzhen Adwell Technology Co. LTD, importer SHFT Electronic Gadgets Trading OPC); AEROGIN & DON BARS (manufacturer Genome Flavor Technology, importer Aerogin Electronics Corporation Consumer Trading); CHILLAX (manufacturer Shenzhen Wimei Electronic Technology Co., LTD., importer SHFT Electronic Gadgets Trading OPC); BLACK ELITE (manufacturer Shenzhen X Black Vape Technology Co. LTD., importer Jey 888 Trading Corporation); LOST MARY (manufacturer ZCREW International, Inc., importer   Dongguan Airv Technology Co., LTD). This action is in response to the formal charges filed against these brands for violating Section 4(d) of Republic Act (RA) No. 11900, or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act. The

Manila —The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines will open a new Visa Application Center (VAC), launch an updated visa appointment system, and expand call center services to U.S. citizens in the Philippines starting on Sept. 28, 2024. The new VAC will be located at Parqal Building 8, Level 3, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd., Brgy. Tambo, Parañaque City. Immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants seeking interview appointments starting Sept. 28, 2024 will be required to schedule a separate appointment at the VAC for photo capture and fingerprint scanning prior to their interview at the US Embassy on Roxas Blvd.   Scheduling will be done through the new and redesigned online appointment system. Applicants who have scheduled a visa interview before Sept. 28, 2024 will not be affected by this change and should proceed directly to their appointment at the Embassy. The new online appointment system will feature a secure and user-friendly interface for visa applicants and will be available on Sept.

Laoag  mayor Michael Keon along with several members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by Laoag vice mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas lead the distribution of the PHP12 million worth of agricultural inputs to all the 1,500 combined farmers and fisher folks associations in the city. (Doms Dela Cruz ) By Dominic B. dela Cruz,  Staff Reporter Laoag City —The city government here, by mayor Michael M. Keon, distributed   PHP12 million worth of agricultural inputs to farmers and fishermen in the city. According to Keon, he said he considers the agricultural sector as the most important sector in the city considering that it “provides food on the table”. This is the reason, he said he strongly supports the agricultural sector to ensure the constant food supply here in the city. The mayor believes that food will be one of the main issues in the future and he wanted Laoag to be a self-sufficient and the people to buy local and not imported food products. The mayor congratulated the city