The Ilocos Times

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.