The Ilocos Times

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Batac City -- Sangguniang Panlungsod of this city unanimously approved two resolutions endorsing major road rehabilitation, reconstruction, and upgrading by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The two resolutions cite the implementation of the off-carriageway improvement-tertiary road and the rehabilitation, reconstruction, upgrading of damaged paved roads of the Batac-Espiritu (Banna) road with no objection to the removal and cutting of 145 affected trees. Batac councilor Bernardo Marders said that these projects will be implemented by the DPWH on their road widening projects. It was learned that the road damages cause the increasing volume of traffic congestion in said areas. In relation to this, the city government of Batac expressed no objection in the cutting and removal of trees as these affects the implementation of the project. “These affected trees are imperative to pave way for the full impleme

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Batac City —Due to public demand, the Sangguniang Panlungsod here passed a resolution requesting Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) through the President Shirley Agrupis to offer maritime/seaman and criminology courses. Batac Sangguniang Kabataan federated president and council ex-officio member John Gabrielle Dominique M. Daguio and Batac councilor Bismark Angelo Quidang sponsored the said measure, with all who voted in favor it becoming co-sponsors. Upon the motion of Mr. Daguio, all members present during the session approved the measure on its second and final reading. According to Mr. Quidang, only private higher academic institutions offer said courses in the entire province of Ilocos Norte. He added that with state universities now offering free tuition fee and if MMSU and other education officials grant these, “dagitay arapaap dagitay kalugaran tayo a kayat da met iti ag seaman ken kayat da met iti rumang-ay it

BJMP Batac District Jail persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) prepare the fruiting bags as one of the steps for oyster mushroom production. MMSU personnel conducted a two-days skills training on oyster mushroom production at BJMP Batac from July 23 to 24, 2019. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Batac City —The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Batac District Jail and the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) are teaming up to begin oyster mushroom production. As a preparation, MMSU personnel conducted a two-day skills training on oyster mushroom production from July 23-24, 2019. MMSU director for extension Dr. Aris Reynold V. Cajigal said this program is no longer new to the BJMP considering that they have launched the same for the past year and was successful. As a result, J/Sr. Insp. Antonio Sapaden has again requested MMSU for assistance for the said project. “ Ta ngamin dagidi immunan a nag training ket nakarwar da

Newly installed Batac chief of police P/Lt. Col Michael Rae Arcustano (left) pays a courtesy call at the Sangguniang Panlungsod during their regular session while discussing some of his plans and programs for the city. Batac councilor Bismark Quidang (right) asks some questions while other Batac councilors and Batac Vice Mayor Windell Chua listen to the discussion. Mr. Arcustano started his term in July 1 2019. He was previously assigned at the Highway Patrol Group Assistant Regional Chief in Region IV prior to his new assignment here. (Doms dela Cruz )

Batac City’s officials pose right after their oath taking ceremony held at ICC in Batac on June 26, 2019 administered by RTC Batac Branch 18 Felix Salvador.  They are (from left) Batac councilors Giancarlo Angelo Crisostomo, Dr. Ramon Gaoat, Macarthur Aguinaldo, Kichel Jomarie Pungtilan, Vice Mayor Atty. Windell Chua, Mayor Albert D. Chua, councilors Violeta Nalupta, Bernardo Marders, Jaime Tanagon Sr. Christopher Lagmay and Lucky Rene Bunye. (Doms dela Cruz) “Pabilgen Ni Bataqueno Para Iti Sapasap a Progreso”. Reelected Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua said this in his inaugural address at the Imelda Cultural Center (ICC) on June 26, 2019 right after his oath of office administered by RTC Batac Branch 18 Judge Felix Salvador. Mr. Chua said in his second term as mayor, he identified some of his priority projects and programs lined-up including the expansion of the city’s scholarship program; improvement of roads; peace and order, health and free fertilizers and hybrid se

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Batac City —The Sangguniang Panlungsod here unanimously approved a resolution commending all previous members who either termed out or lost in the recent midterm elections. The council will give certificate of commendations to their previous members, led by former Batac Vice Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta. Batac councilor Bismark Angelo A. Quidang, who sponsored the measure, said the previous members deserve the commendation. “Ta mamati-ak a nagkaadu iti naitulong da iti siyudad iti Batac ket kasapulan met nga ipakita mi iti pinagyaman mi kadakwada aglalo ket daytoy composition mi ita ket nagkaadu iti kabbaro including dagitay nagsubli a padak ,” Mr. Quidang said. Of the current council members, only councilors Jaime Tanagon, Bernardo Marders and Macarthur Aguinaldo were reelected. Other members of the previous council either served out their three-term limit or lost in the midterm elections. The new council members are

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Batac City —Jail officials here are closely monitoring three persons deprived of liberty (PDL) who are currently suffering from tuberculosis (TB). Jail Sr. Insp. Antonio Sapaden said they have isolated the three PDLs in their infirmary’s isolation room. Health professionals diagnosed the said PDLs last April and the City Health Office here are medicating them for free. The TB patients are facing illegal drugs and murder cases. Mr. Sapaden reported that there are no other communicable diseases in their jail except for tuberculosis cases. He thanked the BJMP regional office and the city health office for providing the medicines to the detainees. As of press time, the city jail currently has population of 211; nine females and 202 males. Mr. Sapaden hopes that they can soon use the newly completed expansion. He said the expansion building still needs a power transformer as well as the completion of its perimete

Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua (third from right) leads the groundbreaking ceremony for pipe laying for Brgys. Lacub, Caunayan and Callaguip in on June 6, 2019. Batac Water District manager Maria Dona Sagun (second from right), Prime Water branch manager Joseph Sta Barbara (left), DPWH-INED II Engr. Mathias Malenab and members of the BWD board of directors join the Batac mayor for the said ceremony. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Batac City —The Batac Water District (BWD) in partnership with Prime Water Corporation (PWC) has successfully conducted a groundbreaking ceremony for their pipe laying activity on June 6, 2019. BWD general manager Maria Dona Sagun said this new project is the start of the BWD’s “new journey”. Ms. Sagun hopes that this project will give the city’ water concessionaires better services with the help of Prime Water as its new partner. The pipe laying along Brgys. Lacub, Caunayan and Callaguip is the fir

  BATAC  Mayor Albert D. Chua leads the ribbon cutting of the newly inaugurated Batac RTC building. Batac City prosecutor Valentin Pascua, Rev. Father Philip Anthony Dimagiba and members of the city council join the mayor for the said activity held in celebration of the city’s 12 th  Charter Day on June 23 2019. ( Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Batac City —In celebration of the 12 th anniversary of its cityhood, this city’s officials headed by Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua led the blessing and inauguration of government-owned buildings funded by the city government. The celebration kicked off with a mass held at Immaculate Concepcion Parish Church and followed immediately by the blessing and inauguration of the P5-million City Prosecutors Office Building; Stimulation and Therapeutic Activity Center (STAC) at Brgy. San Julian; and Bamboo Crop Center and Sweet Potato/Corn Processing Center at Brgy. Mabaleng, this city.   Mr. Chua announced th

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Laoag City --Outgoing Laoag Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas personally thanked the people of Laoag in her speech during the June 19, 2019 Charter Day celebration held in front of the City Hall for all the support they had extended to her and her family for almost a decade. She likewise thanked her fellow city officials, all the city hall employees and the members of the media for also supporting her administration for six years as mayor as well as her late husband Michael V. Fariñas’ 9 years of administration as mayor. She stressed that her family is so grateful for their support. On June 24, 2019, city government employees posed with Mrs. Fariñas after the flag-raising ceremony. At the same day, outgoing Laoag councilors Shirley O. Sin, Dr. Edison Siazon, Pamela R. Salenda, Ferdinand Domingo and Laoag Vice Mayor Franklin Dante Respicio also gave their respective farewell speeches at the session hall during their last regular session

  Local election officials proclaim re-elected Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua as winner in the May 13, 2019 midterm election. Mr. Chua promises to continue his programs in all sectors for the betterment of all the Batacqueño.  Doms dela Cruz    By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Batac City —“ Agtultuloy latta iti napudno ken naayat a pinagserbi kenni Batacqueño tapnu sangsangkamaysa iti pinangpatibker ti adigi iti pinagdur-as ”. This was the statement reelected Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua said after his proclamation as in the 2019 midterm elections. Mr. Chua begins his second term as mayor on June 30, 2019. Mr. Chua said his programs and advocacies in the field of education, agriculture, infrastructures, health, social protection, tourism and all continues for the people of Batac and the city. He stressed that there is a need to complete and finish all the existing projects and programs of the city government now before starting new projects.

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Batac City —Thousands of local, domestic and foreign tourists converged in this city to witness this year’s 11 th Farmers Festival celebration held May 1-5, 2019 with the theme: Rambakan Iti Panagdur-as Iti Biag Ni Mannalaon. This year’s festival kicked off with a motorcade around the city and a thanksgiving mass held at the Immaculate Conception Parish as the Batacqueños thanked the Almighty for the fruitful agricultural blessings followed by the official opening of said festival with a “Salo-Salo Merienda” which featured native delicacies for snacks were served. On the same day was the pre-judging of booths and exhibits, best photo booths and zanjera dance competition participated by the different rural barangays. May 2, 2019 marked the judging of the “PINAKA HVCDP”, corn, fresh water fish, livestock and endangered animals; Catching Piglets; Dog Show; Laro ng Lahi, RIC Dance Competition and the coronation night of the new Ba