The Ilocos Times

VALUE-ADDING. Judy Viernes shows his pickled garlic at the Garlic Incubation Center in Laoag City , Ilocos Norte on Wednesday (July 22, 2026). He is among the first garlic incubatees being assisted by the Taiwan Te chnical Mission in the Philippines to help revitalize the local garlic industry . (Lei Adriano) By Leilanie Adriano LAOAG CITY—Garlic growers and processors benefit from a microfinancing program supported by Taiwan, providing farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs with greater access to capital to improve productivity, expand operations and enhance the competitiveness of the local garlic industry. Eric Pin Yu Chen , representative for the Taiwan Technical Mission in the Philippines, told the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday that at least 10 garlic incubatees have been selected so far this year for the grant. "Each incubatee received PHP240,000. The amount can be used to start their business or to improve it,” he said in an interview at the Garlic Incubation ...

  As the southwest monsoon (Habagat) continues to bring heavy rains across the country, a new Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) study has found that routine rainfall reduces the number of hours Filipinos work each week, with day-to-day and short-term workers bearing the greatest impact. In the discussion paper “When Rain Falls, Work Slows: Rainfall Variability and Working Hours in the Philippine Labor Market,” PIDS research specialist John Joseph Ocbina and Senior Research Fellow Dr. John Paolo Rivera analyzed nationally representative Labor Force Survey (LFS) data alongside regional rainfall records from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The findings suggest that frequent rainy periods—not only major storms and typhoons—can add up to meaningful productivity and income losses across the labor market. “At the aggregate level, rainfall exerts a statistically significant but modest negative associa...

  Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr., with the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) Director IV Julius Leaño alongside Ilocos Norte 2nd District Representative Angelo Marcos Barba, Vintar Mayor Richard Degala and Presidential Assistant for Northern Luzon Ana Carmela Remigio lead the launching of the Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Center (RYPIC) in Vintar, Ilocos Norte on July 3, 2026. The RYPIC is the first yarn production and innovation center in the Ilocos Region and the third in the country which marks a major step toward strengthening the local textile industry. The DOST continues to empower local weavers, textile producers, and entrepreneurs by providing access to science, technology, innovation, and modern production facilities. RYPIC now opens new opportunities for sustainable livelihoods while ensuring that the rich legacy of Filipino weaving thrives for future generations.  (Doms dela Cruz)

GOV'T INCENTIVES. Visitors at the Paoay sand dunes in this undated photo. The provincial government said on July 10, 2026 that it continues to offer incentives to filmmakers, offering its cinematic landscapes such as this. File photo  By Leilanie Adriano LAOAG CITY —The film industry in Ilocos Norte is getting a boost as the provincial government strengthens initiatives to attract local and international productions through a package of incentives and streamlined support services. The initiative aims to position Ilocos Norte as a premier filming destination by offering assistance with site matching, location fee waiver, logistical coordination, and access to the province's diverse natural landscapes, heritage sites, and cultural attractions. It is also part of the province's broader strategy to strengthen film tourism and promote Ilocos Norte as a competitive destination for local and international productions. “At present, the provincial government’s Media Inc...

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...

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...

National policy changes, coupled with training, advocacy, and incentives, can empower women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (WMSMEs) in Metro Manila to adopt circular economy principles. This shift can unlock significant economic opportunities, driving sustainable growth and environmental progress. These were highlighted at a webinar conducted by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) in support of the celebration of National Women’s Month. The webinar featured the study “Assessing the Adoption of Circular Economy among Women-Led MSMEs in Metro Manila: A Pilot Study” by Foreign Service Institute of the Philippines-Center for International Relations and Strategic Studies former chief research officer Jovito Jose P. Katigbak and senior foreign affairs research specialist Jemimah Joanne C. Villaruel. Despite the increasing prominence of circular economy or CE as a strategy for achieving sustainable development, the study reveals a concerning knowledge gap am...

Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Manotoc speaks during the “INvest: Ilocos Norte Investment Conference” at Ascott Bonifacio Global City in Metro Manila. Taguig City —"Consider me your partner and your advocate, I will be here personally to make sure that your business is also our business, and we take care of our investors in Ilocos Norte. Make it happen in the Philippines, make it happen in Ilocos Norte,” remarked Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc as he delivered his welcome message at an investment conference hosted by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) on Aug. 27, 2024 Government officials, foreign ambassadors, and representa tives from private businesses participated in a one-day event titled “INvest: Ilocos Norte Investment Conference” at Ascott Bonifacio Global City in Metro Manila. Organized by the Ilocos Norte Trade and Investment Center, the event featured experts in the field of investment promotions who shared experiences and valuable guidan...

What is the difference between GDP and GNP? What economic indicator measures economic growth? What is below poverty line level relative to GDP and GNP? How would you determine if our economic well-being is above the poverty line? Can we discuss various economic terms that describe the economic life of the Filipino people? Are we satisfied with our economic managers in dealing with our poverty problems and corruption? What other alternative measures can we interject to correct our low economic life? Certainly! Let's break down questions one by one.   Difference between GDP and GNP GDP (Gross Domestic Product): Measures the total value of all goods and services produced within a country's borders over a specific time period. It focuses on location. GNP (Gross National Product): Measures the total value of goods and services produced by the residents of a country, regardless of where the production takes place. It includes income earned by residents from investments abr...

Economic growth and economic development are related but distinct concepts in the field of economics. Economic Growth Definition: Economic growth refers to the increase in the production of goods and services in an economy over a period of time. It is typically measured by the increase in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of a country. Focus: Economic growth focuses on quantitative increases in the output of an economy, often measured by factors such as GDP growth rate, employment levels, and productivity improvements. Indicators: Indicators of economic growth include rising incomes, increased industrial output, higher levels of employment, and growing trade.   Causes: Economic growth can be driven by factors such as increases in capital investment, technological progress, population growth, and improved infrastructure.   Economic Development Definition: Economic development is a broader concept that encompasses not only economic growth but also improvement...

In a capitalist country like the Philippines, understanding the dynamics of supply and demand is crucial for determining the prices of goods and services. When the supply of goods and services is high while the demand is low, prices tend to decrease due to excess supply. On the other hand, when the demand is high and the supply is low, prices tend to increase due to scarcity. Inflation occurs when there is a sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy over a period of time. Inflation can be caused by various factors, such as an increase in the money supply, higher production costs, or strong demand relative to supply. In a globalized economy like the Philippines, with extensive trade relations involving both exports and imports, external factors can also influence the domestic economy. For example, fluctuations in the prices of key commodities like oil can have a significant impact on the country's economy, affecting production costs and c...

Transforming Laoag City into a “Smart City” can certainly be a challenging endeavor, especially when faced with issues such as poor governance, lack of good leadership, incompetency, and a sluggish economy. However, it is not impossible to make progress towards this goal. Here are some steps that the local government unit (LGU) of Laoag City can consider to work towards making the city smarter: Develop a Comprehensive Smart City Plan : The first step is to create a detailed plan that outlines the vision, goals, and roadmap for transforming Laoag City into a smart city. This plan should include specific initiatives, timelines, and key performance indicators to measure progress. Build Partnerships : Collaboration with private sector companies, academic institutions, and other stakeholders can bring in expertise, resources, and funding to support smart city initiatives. Public-private partnerships can help overcome financial constraints and accelerate the implementation of projects. ...

For so many years now, many LGUs have been trying to implement waste recycling programs in their own localities, but very few seem to have succeeded. By the looks of it, many local officials seem resigned to the idea of doing the same thing repeatedly, and expecting different results, which is Einstein’s definition of insanity. Is it therefore the time now to try something different? So that we could have different results? Instead of just having one type of garbage truck picking up both biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste materials, why not have two separate trucks to do that, with two separate schedules? That way, the biodegradable waste, which is mostly food waste, could be brought directly to a biodigester facility, where these could be composted and converted to organic fertilizer. Without the biodegradable waste, it would be easier to sort the non-biodegradable waste, which is mostly recyclables. Better still, we should make it compulsory to sort or segregate the non...