The Ilocos Times

B y Engr. Carlos V. Cornejo The term powerful here means authoritative and forceful. Holy Scripture contains many powerful statements and one of them is from the Gospel of St. Matthew that says, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet lose their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? (Matthew 16:26) No human being past, present or future could utter those words. No wise man, such as Confucius or Buddha could ever think of making those statements because it is not an earthly statement. It is not earthly wisdom but heavenly wisdom. An out of this world statement. It is not earthly because it talks about the soul not the body. And because it is an out of this world Person that talks about it. The gospel passage basically means that you might gain all the things that this world would cherish such as wealth, honor, pleasure, and power in great abundance and yet that’s nothing compared to losing one’s soul.   The losing of one’s soul does no...

UNLESS our human laws can capture the logic behind that divine commandment to love one another as Christ has loved us and continues to love us, even to the extent of loving our enemies, we can only say that indeed our human laws, despite all the good things they can accomplish, can only do so much for us. Our human laws can only struggle to capture the divine wisdom of loving our enemies because they are designed more to maintain order, human justice and protection within a society, whereas the commandment to love our enemies is a moral and spiritual teaching that certainly goes beyond the scope of legal codes. Our human laws can mandate behaviors like not harming others, but they cannot legislate things that are mainly on the spiritual and supernatural levels which actually are the ultimate dimensions that shape our life not only as persons but also as children of God, created in God’s image and likeness. While we obviously need to be governed by the rule of law, we should also ...

Houston , we have a problem. No—on second thought—it’s not just a problem. It’s a dilemma. Actually, let’s not kid ourselves. It’s both. So, what is it? We’re producing so much used cooking oil that if we’re not careful, it could be clogging our drainage systems—assuming, of course, that we have proper drainage systems in the first place. If we don’t, then it’s clogging whatever passes for a drainage system in many of our cities. The logical thing to do would be to collect this oil and recycle it. But here’s where the “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” part kicks in. If you do collect it, you could be accused of transporting hazardous waste and fined. If you don’t, you risk pouring it into our waterways, blocking pipes, causing floods, and polluting aquifers. Why? Because under Republic Act 6969—the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act—used cooking oil can be classified as hazardous waste. That means it’s subject to strict rules on collection, st...

Vintar, Ilocos Norte— Ilocos Norte is set to become Northern Luzon ’s hub for textile research and development with the forthcoming opening of the Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Center (RYPIC), locally known as “Panait ni Siwawer,” on November 20, 2025. The partnership for the establishment of the center was formally sealed through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed on October 16, 2025 in Vintar, Ilocos Norte , between the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI), the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte , and the Municipality of Vintar. The facility, the first of its kind in Northern Luzon and the third in the entire country, forms part of DOST-PTRI’s program titled “Fostering the Revitalization of Nascent Textile Innovation Ecosystems in the Region.” It aims to strengthen the textile value chain by enabling the production of natural yarns from locally sourced fibers such as bamboo , cotton, abaca , and pineapple . On...

  By Dominic Dela Cruz, Staff reporter Pinili , Ilocos Norte—The municipal government of this town, particularly the Office of the Sangguniang Bayan headed by Pinili Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Maynard Francis Bumanglag is eyeing the regional title in the 2025 Local Legislative Awards (LLA). Following its triumph as back-to-back provincial winner for LLA in 2023 and 2025, the Sangguniang Bayan faced the members of the regional assessment team as the official nominee of the Province of Ilocos Norte on October 15, 2025\ for the regional evaluation. Marking another milestone in pursuit of excellence in local legislation, Bumanglag hopes that the Pinili SB Office would be able to reap the regional top award this time unlike in 2023 when it became just a regional awardee. It was learned that the SB Office of Pinili bagged the provincial level top award under the 1 st to 3 rd class municipality during the recently concluded provincial assessment for LLA 2025 held...

Laoag  council ex-officio member Roque Benjamin Ablan presents his measure expressing the Liga Ng Mga Barangay support for the passage of House Bill No. 5066, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta For Barangays”, introduced by Rep. King George Leandro Antonio V. Collantes 3 rd  district,  Batangas) which was later approved by the body. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz, Staff reporter Laoag City —The Liga ng Mga Barangay (LMB) Laoag City Chapter has expressed their support for the passage of House Bill No. 5066, or the “Magna Carta For Barangays”, introduced by Rep. King George Leandro Antonio V. Collantes (3 rd district,   Batangas). LMB-Laoag President Roque Benjamin Ablan announced their support after the Sangguniang Panlungsod members unanimously approved a resolution of support to strengthen barangays as the backbone of governance. Section 384 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, declares that “The b...

City of Batac —"Leadership begins with a vision—one that is rooted in faith, shared with the people, and lived in service,” said Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos as she marked her first 100 days in office at the Ilocandia Cultural Center in this city on October 10, 2025. In her address, Araneta-Marcos outlined her administration’s early accomplishments, emphasizing responsive governance, disaster resilience, and inclusive development. She cited the institutionalization of monthly alignment meetings between the executive and legislative branches, the full approval of Salary Grade 3 for entry-level government workers, and the creation of new offices such as the Provincial Information Office and Agriculture Biosystems Engineering Office, among others. “I cannot work with unhappy people. One of my first priorities was to make the Capitol a happier place,” she said. In the face of multiple typhoons and natural disasters, Araneta-Marcos underscored the province’s shift...

The  city government of Laoag, represented by Mayor James Bryan Alcid, and DSWD Usec for Innovation and Program Development Eduardo M. Punay lead the project launching and signing of the memorandum of agreement for the launch of “Project Aruga” in the city. They are joined by CSWDO Officer Perlita Cabello and DSWD Regional Director Field Office I Marie Angela S. Gopalan (upper photo) while members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas hands over a certificate of appreciation to Punay and Gopalan for the said project (lower photo). (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic Dela Cruz,  Staff reporter Laoag City —The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has formally launched “Project Aruga in the city and the subsequent signing of a memorandum of agreement the city government of Laoag as its fourth pilot implementation area in the entire Philippines on October 21, 2025 at the City Hall Conference Room. “Project Aruga” is a community-based prog...

By Engr. Carlos V. Cornejo In Genesis Chapter 22 of the Old Testament, God put Abraham to test by asking Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a human sacrifice only to be held on when Abraham was about to kill Isaac. Many atheists would point out to this Scripture story as another proof of the absurdity of a God who asked a father to kill his son but stops him when His creature was almost done obeying Him. Atheists would claim that this Christian God is playing games with His creatures. Therefore, according to them, it’s another proof that He does not really exist. What the atheists don’t understand was the purpose of the test. It was all about fulfilling the virtue of Charity. God wanted to see if Abraham loves God above all, even more than his son. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines the Theological Virtue of Charity as the virtue by which “We love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God.”   (CCC 1822) Theologians would s...

A NUMBER of times, Christ complained about the lack of faith of the people of his time. “This generation is a wicked generation: it asks for a sign, and a sign shall not be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet ,” he once said. ( Lk 11,29-32 ) We need to see to it that our faith is strong, deep, and abiding so we can go on with our daily activities with a profound sense of commitment and not just go through them with the attitude of simply complying with what is expected of us. To do things and to live with a sense of commitment means that we should be driven by some core belief which in none other than a belief in God. We would always be aware of doing things with and for our Lord and because of that, we would do things in the best way we can, despite our limitations and the various conditionings that we are subject to. When we have a good sense of commitment, we would show determination in fulfilling it, a determination that can only spring from love. We make a promise...

Technically speaking, farm tourism is just a subset of eco-tourism . Eco-tourism is the big umbrella—it covers everything from marine sanctuaries to mountain trails, from mangrove parks to wildlife reserves. But lately, I’ve noticed something interesting: here in the Philippines , farm tourism could become bigger than eco-tourism, at least in the domestic market. Why? Because while eco-tourism may have more to offer to foreign tourists—especially those who want untouched beaches or rare bird sightings—farm tourism has far more to offer to local tourists. And I don’t just mean sightseeing. Local visitors go to farms not only to look, but also to learn, taste, and take home something fresh. In fact, many farms have evolved into Learning Sites for Agriculture (LSAs), where visitors can get hands-on experience in farming before they decide to go into the business themselves. These LSAs are under the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) of the Department of Agriculture . Some even off...

Artificial intelligence (AI) can be a powerful ally in exposing corruption, but without integrity, accountability, and political will, it will never be enough. This was the central message of experts and former public officials at the 11th Annual Public Policy Conference (APPC) organized by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) as part of the 23rd Development Policy Research Month (DPRM). Plenary Session 3, titled “AI-Augmented Fight Against Corruption,” highlighted both the promise and perils of AI in governance. Speakers agreed that algorithms may detect patterns of fraud and misuse, but only human integrity and strong institutions can effectively close the loop on accountability.   Promise and limits of AI tools Dr . Jacopo Costa, Senior Specialist at the Basel Institute on Governance , described AI as both a frontier and a warning. He explained that AI’s real strength lies in processing large volumes of data, detecting hidden patterns, and helpin...

Laoag  councilor John Michael Fariñas presents his measure regulating all businesses on fuel filling and refilling stations in the city in accordance with existing and established zoning, safety, and environmental standards during the last regular session and was approved on its third and final reading. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz, Staff reporter Laoag City —The city government here will soon start regulating all fuel filling and refilling stations in the city in accordance with existing and established zoning, safety, and environmental standards. Laoag councilor John Michael Fariñas said Article II, Section XVI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution; Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code; Republic Act No. 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 ; Republic Act No. 9275 or the Philippine Clear Water Act of 2004 ; Republic Act No. 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990 ; and Republic Act No. 9514 or the Fi...