The Ilocos Times

Ilocos Norte officials led by Governor Matthew M. Manotoc offers a prayer to victims of the Batanes quake. (Alaric Yanos) Laoag City --The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) through the initiative of Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc donated PHP500,000 as cash assistance to provide relief to almost 3,000 victims of twin earthquakes in Batanes. The two devastating earthquakes hit the Itbayat Island of Batanes on July 27, 2019, recording magnitudes 5.4 and 5.9, respectively. The earthquakes left more than nine hundred families affected, eight people dead, one person missing, and serious damages to ancestral houses, health facilities, and schools, among others. During the flag raising ceremony on July 29, 2019, Mr. Manotoc mentioned that the Governors League will deploy aircraft carrying relief goods for Batanes.    “The Governors League has been coordinating over the weekend and we will be arranging aircraft that will take off from Laoag International Airport

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter San Nicolas , Ilocos Norte—The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) second engineering district reported that there was no damage caused by tropical storm Falcon [international name Danas] which passed by Northern Luzon from July 16 to 17, 2019. DPWH-INED II assistant district engineer James Ferer said the Manila North Road (MNR) particularly at the Ilocos Norte’s second district was passable without any damages from the tropical storm. Though Mr. Ferer admitted that there was an increase in the level of water brought by heavy rains but this did not affect any infrastructure or major projects of the DPWH second engineering district. During the height of the typhoon, Mr. Ferer along with district engineer Mathias Malenab and their project engineers visited the DPWH projects especially the flood control projects and observed that the typhoon’s effects were manageable. The said project engineers were also advised to

  Provincial Resiliency Office head  Marcel Tabije in an interview. (Lei Adriano)  By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—With the onset of the rainy season, rice farmers here have started plowing their fields while the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Resiliency Council (PDRRMRC) are now gearing up to ensure zero casualty during any calamity. Marcel Tabije, head of the Provincial Resiliency Office said the province is currently leading an information dissemination drive to city and municipal disaster risk reduction management officers regarding the onset of the rainy and typhoon season. “Aside from constantly monitoring our weather, we are also in close coordination with our community officials to monitor our flood prone areas, landslide prone areas, and storm surge risk areas in coastal municipalities,” said Mr. Tabije. Since June 12, 2019, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) sa

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—As a series of earthquakes that hit various parts of the country, some local government units and other concerned national government line agencies in the province has intensified their disaster awareness campaign using social media as the latest mode of communication. In San Nicolas town for example, local officials led by their Mayor Alfredo P. Valdez alerted all residents to stay alert and be prepared in the event of any disaster or earthquake. Before an earthquake happens, authorities reminded the public to prepare a “lifeline kit”. This includes a whistle, flashlight and identification card at all times. It is also important to know the evacuation area and to determine is your area is prone to earthquake. During an earthquake, the drop, cover and hold technique should always be practiced until the shaking stops and then be calm to evacuate and help other people in need. “Please take our drills seriously. This

Lingayen , Pangasinan — OFW [overseas Filipino workers] Family Circle (OFC) leaders and representatives in Ilocos Region are now capable in responding and providing first line assistance in case of emergency and disaster after they went through an intensive four-day training on water safety search and rescue (WASAR) held on April 10-13, 2019 at Narciso Sports Complex, Lingayen, Pangasinan. The Pangasinan Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO), headed by Maricar D. Palang, Argie B. Gattoc and WASAR trainers Mario R. Lopez, Rigor C. Demoral and Jimmy M. Pastor, acted as learning service providers on the aforementioned training. WASAR training is the second part of the “Basic Life Support and Disaster Preparedness” that OFC leaders need to undergo to empower them to respond in their areas in times of calamities. The first part was the Disaster Preparedness, Risk Management and First Aid or Basic Life Support-CPR Training held on October 19-20, 2018

LAOAG  Mayor Chevylle V. Farinas and several members of the city council and department heads pose with the 40 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) beneficiaries who were given jetmatic pumps, toilet bowls, bag packs and raincoats.   The SDG was formerly known as the Millennial Development Goal (MDG), which is the project of the Local Government Academy through the DILG and in partnership with the city government of Laoag. (Alwin Formantes photo) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —The Local Government Academy and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office in cooperation with the Laoag City government distributed assistance for the beneficiaries of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and typhoon ‘Ompong’ victims. The city social welfare and development office identified Barangays 20, 21 and 23 as SDG areas having the most-number of urban poor families. Of the three barangays, 40 beneficiaries received jetmatic pumps, toil

Typhoon Ompong lashes the province. (File photo) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Various fisherfolk associations in the coastal city and towns of Ilocos Norte received various fishery livelihood projects on February 19, 2019 courtesy of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Composed of 56 payaos and two gillnets, BFAR Regional Field Office I Director Lilibeth L. Signey handed them to the beneficiaries in a simple turn over ceremony held at the Centennial Arena, this city. The fishermen association of Pasuquin who were among those hit hard by typhoon “Ompong” got 16 payaos and gillnets worth PHP2.7 million next to Laoag’s PHP1.59 million worth of fishing gears; Pagudpud and Currimao received gears worth PHP1.2 million each. Other recipients include fisherfolk associations in the towns of Bangui, Burgos, Bacarra, Badoc and Paoay. “We are thankful for the government support. This is a big help for us to boost our livelihoo

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Owing to rampant vehicular accidents, the Land Transportation Office in cooperation with the Motorcycle Philippines Federation (MCPF) continue to conduct seminars on the basics of motorcycle riding and safety in the province. Rochito Duque, Education Program Specialist of the Department of Education-Ilocos Norte reported that more trainings on road safety will be conducted this year for teachers and students who are riding motorcycles every day. For two days, participants will learn about motorcycle riding basics, including proper protective gears, handling, balancing, starting the engine, throttle control, and start and stop exercises. They will also familiarize themselves on the use headlights, mirrors, how to shift gears, and riding techniques about the posture of the rider when driving and taking turns.  In December last year, around 480 participants mostly composed of teachers were among the first batch of

Laoag City —The Consulate of the People’s Republic of China in Laoag City has issued a donation through the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) for relief of victims of typhoon “Mangkhut”. The donation comprises 10 tons of premium rice valued at P480,000.00 and various grocery items such as sardines, corned beef, and meat loaf valued at P297,000.00, to be distributed during the “Paspas Takder” relief operations. Chinese consul Wang Jianqun represented the consulate, while Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Eugenio Angelo M. Barba and Sangguniang Panlalawigan members Domingo Ambrosio Jr. and Atty. Donald Nicolas accepted the donation on behalf of Ms. Marcos and the provincial government. According to Mr. Edwin Cariño, head of the Provincial Sustainable Development Center (SDC), the consulate had originally committed to donating only 10 tons of rice, but decided on adding canned goods worth P297,000.00 in consonance with the lucky Chinese numbers: 7-7-7. “We ar

Ilocos Norte-Apayao Road By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter San Nicolas , Ilocos Norte—The Dept. of Public Works and Highways 2 nd Engineering District and local government units reported more damages sustained in their respective areas from typhoon Mangkhut (Ompong). DPWH second engineering district engineer Mathias Malenab said they are still receiving reports of more damages in infrastructures. As of press time, Mr. Malenab reported initial damages ranging from PHP700-800 million. He added that subsequent reports may increase the damages to PHP900 million. He, however, emphasized that they will conduct a re-inspection of the damages whether they were just aggravated by previous typhoons and the weeklong monsoon rains. The DPWH II reported estimate damages of at least PHP74 million in national roads from the monsoon rains. Bungcag, Dingras, Ilocos Norte Mangkhut, meanwhile, damaged flood control projects, school buildings, bridge approache

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte is donated PHP300,000 for the victims of landslide in Itogon, Benguet. In a special session held at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on September 27, 2018, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan unanimously approved Draft Provincial Resolution No. 2018-09-273 authorizing Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos to donate said amount as an expression of sympathy and support to the families of the victims. SP member Da Vinci M. Crisostomo, chairperson of the committee on laws said the amount hopes to ease the burden and sufferings of the families of the victims after a landslide buried them alive at the height of typhoon Mangkhut (Ompong). The amount will be coursed through the local government unit of Benguet. As of this posting, authorities suspended search and retrieval operation on September 30, 2018. The death toll has reached 91 with nine still missing at

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Around 2,000 houses damaged by typhoon Mangkhut (Ompong) will be replaced with new GI sheets courtesy of the national government. Funded by the National Housing Authority (NHA) worth PHP3.8 million with an additional amount from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), each owner of totally damaged house can receive PHP30,000 worth of shelter assistance and PHP10,000 for partially-damaged house in the province. As of press time, the Ilocos Norte government which shall implement the housing rehabilitation measure formed “Team Balay”, a group of volunteers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines reservists, engineers and carpenters who are helping typhoon victims to attached GI sheets to their roofing. While trying to get more help from other public and private donors, Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos appealed to all residents to be more patient and help each other to rise

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Pasuquin , Ilocos Norte—The clear blue sky on an early morning invites fisherfolks of Brgy. Davila here to venture out of the sea. Though their fishing boats were spared from typhoon Mangkhut’s [Ompong] destructive winds, it nevertheless washed away their “payaws”. “Payaw” is as an artificial fish sanctuary or fish-aggregating device to attract school of fish. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is distributing these fish aggregating devices to fishermen associations nationwide to increase their catch. Before the onslaught of Mangkhut , Pasuquin fishers were among the hundreds of recipients of livelihood fishing materials from BFAR. But all these were gone now as their payaws were washed out by the strong winds of Mangkhut, the strongest typhoon so far that hit the Philippines this year. Each payaw has a price of PHP100, 000. While trying to figure how to start all over again, Domingo La Torre said he is

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) helps in the repacking of DSWD family food packs (FFPs) for augmentation to affected LGUs. (DSWD photo) San Fernando City , La Union—After the onslaught of typhoon Mangkhut [Ompong], the Dept. of Social Work and Development Field Office 1 (FO 1) continues to provide relief supply augmentation to affected families and individuals in various municipalities and cities throughout Region 1. As of 18 September 2018, DSWD FO 1 has provided 11,560 family food packs amounting to PHP4,161,600.00 and 6,796 non-food items comprised of sleeping kits, hygiene kits, and family kits amounting to PHP10,440,151. In addition, local government units (LGUs) have extended a total assistance of PHP158,300.00 while non-government organizations (NGOs) augmented PHP1,950.00. A total of 262,385 individuals or 62,647 families from 921 barangays of the four provinces of the region were affected by the typhoon. Likewise, 394 evacuation centers are currentl

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Typhoon Mangkhut [Ompong] blew off the Laoag International Airport (LIA) administration building’s roof forcing airport personnel to relocate temporarily. Operations, however, resumed on September 24, 2018 after the sole airline servicing the Manila-Laoag-Manila route cancelled flights starting September 15, 2018. Ronald Estabillo, civil aviation area 1 manager said Mangkhut is the strongest typhoon so far that caused severe damage at the airport. Before the expected the typhoon’s landfall at dawn of September 15, 2018, the airline also cancelled the evening Manila-Laoag-Manila flight on September 14, 2018. The airport was closed from September 15 at 8:00 a.m. until September 16 at 4:00 p.m. Earlier this year, the Laoag airport has been identified as one of the safest and secured international airport in the country with its new aerodrome certificate. The Laoag airport caters to domestic flights daily.

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—The Ilocos Norte government through the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan unanimously approved the reprograming of about PHP35 million for the purchase of palay and rice in the province. Starting this month, the Ilocos Norte government will be buying local palay harvest or rice supply from qualified traders and farmer-recipients here under the so-called “buy-back” scheme. Based on the memorandum of agreement entered into between Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos and qualified palay/rice traders and farmers here, the provincial government shall buy some of their stocks at fair market value to ensure every household in the province will have sufficient rice supply until the year end. Qualified traders are those engaged in palay or rice trading which maybe sole proprietorship, partnerships, cooperatives, or private organizations. Farmer-recipients also include individual farmers or

Laoag City —To further strengthen the capacity of schools on disaster and emergency response, the DepEd Schools Division of Laoag City conducted a training on first aid and basic life support at the Bulwagan ng Liwanag from August 16-17, 2018. School Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (SDRRMS) coordinators of the division office and all public elementary and secondary schools in Laoag City attended the two-day training. Representatives from the Bureau of Fire Protection Laoag City including FO1 Herbert Acoba, FO1 Kingsley Dan Sacro, FO1 Jayson Tolentino and FO1 Eljohn Christopher Ubaldo served as lecturers and facilitators. The activity culminated with simulation workshops, allowing the participants to apply various techniques on bandaging, carrying and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, among others. Meanwhile, assistant schools division superintendent Dr. Joye D. Madalipay cited the importance of preparedness by being well informed of what to do in case

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY — Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “ Imee ” R. Marcos has raised the alarm, urging farmers here to prepare for the advent of the El Niño phenomenon, which is likely to occur until the later part of this year. To mitigate its impact, the Ilocos Norte government is set to consult with farmer associations here on what is best to be done on this abnormal weather phenomenon. “Tell us what you need and how we can be of help to you,” said Ms. Marcos citing the need to make a rehabilitation plan to address the impact of abnormal weather. The governor wants farmers to brace for the weather phenomenon, which is likely to happen after the series of heavy rains that hit the province in the past weeks. Usually, El Niño occurs starting from October to December. Though there was no typhoon signal in the province for the past few days, heavy rains swamped some parts of the province which caused multi-million-damage to agri