The Ilocos Times

By Dominic B. dela Cruz  (Staff Reporter) Laoag City —The city government of Laoag has proposed PHP910,121,177.48 million annual budget for 2021, an amount lower compared to this year’s budget of PHP928,331,364.63, or a decrease of PHP18 million or 1.96 percent. The local finance committee said the proposed 2021 budget was a result of a “thorough study, review and evaluation” on the proposals of the different offices of the city government. According to the said committee, the decrease was due to the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which slowed collections on local sources since the national government declared a public health emergency in March 2020. The economy started to slow down as a result of the sudden closure of business establishments and other sources of income.    The budget was adopted using the mechanism of a participatory budgeting to “ensure prudent, transparent and accountable allocation and use of the public funds to improve the q

  By Leilanie G. Adriano  (Staff Reporter) LAOAG CITY—Persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Ilocos Norte Provincial Jail will soon have a stable source of fresh vegetables grown on a healthy soil which they themselves produce out of scraps from the kitchen. As a pilot site for household composting and community gardening project, at least 162 PDLs at the INPJ are currently being trained to turn their food wastes into organic soil. The organic soil comes from fermented food wastes mix with locally-available materials that helps in faster decomposition without foul odor. Using improvised bucket with tight cover and a faucet for draining purposes, food wastes are properly segregated so that these may no longer be transported to the city landfill which are becoming congested due to increasing waste production. During the launching of the household composting project, Estrella Sacro, chief of the provincial government’s environment and natural resources office said, “It is h

By Dominic B. dela Cruz  (Staff Reporter) Laoag City —As the novel coronavirus pandemic rages on, local government units in Laoag, Batac and San Nicolas offered discounts to their respective public market rentals. In this city, the Sangguniang Panlungsod here passed an ordinance that grants 30 percent discount in rentals, including surcharges and penalties, for lessors at the Laoag City Public Market and Commercial Complex who are categorized as “non-essential goods” businesses. These non-essential goods businesses were earlier restricted to open by the national government during the enhanced community quarantine that lasted from March to May, 2020. As a result, these businesses are still trying to cope and mitigate the economic and financial fall-out from the two-month strict lockdown, wherein only those essential businesses were allowed to operate. Laoag councilor Justine Clarence Chua, who authored the ordinance, said the grant will begin immediately upon approval of Laoag

Senator Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos said the government must help local livestock raisers become more price-competitive to survive the surge of imports that make up more than half of the poultry and pork products in the market. “Stop the importation madness. Filipinos first!” Ms. Marcos stressed. The neophyte senator, who chairs the Senate committee on economic affairs, cited the August inventory of the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) that showed imports making up 81% of the 43,124 kilos of frozen pork surveyed in the market. The NMIS inventory also showed that imported dressed chicken made up 58% of the total 60,810 kilos surveyed. Ms. Marcos said the high volume of imported poultry products and their lower market prices were making the situation worse for local raisers who are already hurting from the sudden slash in market demand due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Domestic demand for local pork and chicken has dwindled among food companies, hotels and restaurant

  Laoag City —As one of the five pilot provinces in the Philippines to lead the Department of Agriculture’s synergized agriculture and fisheries extension services, Ilocos Norte has started building its three-story research and extension center to boost local farming practices. On September 10, 2020, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc led the groundbreaking ceremony of the construction of the Ilocos Norte Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System (INAFES) at the Provincial Agriculture Compound in Laoag City. "After devolution, naging fragmented na ang agriculture extension services natin. Kaya naisipan naming i -collate lahat ng efforts, skills, at resources upang mabigyan ng mas mabisang solusyon ang mga problema ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda ," provincial agriculturist Norma Lagmay shared during the press briefing at Sangguniang Panlalawigan Hall, on September 24, 2020. Accordingly, the provincial government will apply a participatory rapid appra

Laoag City —“When we discuss tourism, it's not the economy and visitors but more so the families and livelihoods that rely on this powerhouse of an industry. Let us make sure that we prioritize the people behind this dear industry and make sure that they are the ones that benefit the most from this reopening." Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc urged during the launching of the “Ridge and Reef Travel Corridor” at the Baguio Convention Center on September 22, 2020. National and regional tourism chiefs, Region I local chief executives, heads of tourism councils, and presidents of tourism organizations spearheaded the "Ridge and Reef" launch, alongside presenting available itineraries and local products. Meanwhile, the Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, reiterated that the previous memorandum of agreement signing aimed to foster the establishment of green lanes for tourists and promote safe travel and seamless interconnectivity of land voyage,

  Laoag City —Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc has committed to the opening of the "Northern Luzon Tourism Corridor," an initiative of chief executives and tourism councils in Northern Luzon to cushion the impact of COVID-19 across tourism industries. Preparing for the resumption of tourism by rolling out a rehabilitation plan, the provincial governments of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan, and the city government of Baguio have collaborated to prioritize the livelihood rehabilitation of their constituents while guaranteeing the overall safety of tourists and spurring again tourism-related economic activities.   "We started discussing the 'Tourism Bubble' concept together with 'the Department of Tourism (DOT) and counterparts in Region I and Baguio City, as well as other tourism officers in the country because at that time, very early in May,   there was no clear reference about how to address the impact of the pandemic,

  By Leilanie G. Adriano ( Staff Reporter) LAOAG CITY—An idyllic cove with crystal clear waters at Sitio Pagetpet, Brgy. La Milagrosa in Badoc, Ilocos Norte is gearing up for a much-needed facility improvement while tourists are not yet allowed to visit here due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent years, the town of Badoc that hosts the La Milagrosa Cove and the Minor Basilica of Saint John the Baptist had drawn foreign and local tourists for devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. To keep up with a growing interest in faith tourism under the new normal, the Ilocos Norte government through members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has approved a total of PHP5 million as additional funds for tourism facility improvement. According to provincial tourism officer Ianree Raquel, "part of the improvement includes the establishment if at least five comfort rooms for female and four for male.” In addition, there will also be three urinals for male. "Both male and female comfort

  Laoag City —The Ilocos Norte provincial government through the Ilocos Norte Trade & Investment Office (INvest) now provides support to the micro, small, and medium enterprises that are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through the new ‘Buy IN’ project. Inspired by the unique “bayanihan” culture of the Filipinos, “Buy Ilocos Norte” or “Buy IN” is the digital platform of the provincial government to regulate and promote potential and existing local businesses in the province by providing them e-marketing strategies and consultations. “ Dahil sa pandemiya ay nag -shift ang mga local entrepreneurs natin from doing their business in a physical store to digital market or e-commerce. Kaya dito sa ‘Buy IN’, tutulungan natin ang mga entrepreneurs sa pag-promote ng kanilang mga produkto hindi lang sa probinsiya kundi pati rin sa labas . We will also offer free marketing consultations to them as to how to position their products, set prices, determine the appropriate packaging, and

  Laoag City —The Ilocos Norte provincial government’s Sustainable Development Center (SDC) continues to provide loan assistance to Filipinos around the world through its Overseas Filipinos Remittances for Development (OFs-ReD) Program. Launched in 2011, OFs-ReD is a loan assistance program of the Provincial Government, in partnership with the Migrant and Development (MnD) Council compose of the Provincial OFW Desk, Ilocos Consolidated Cooperative Bank (ICCB), Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), and North Western University (NWU), to assist former and active OFs and migrants who own and manage a business. “ Ang loan assistance na ito ay hindi lamang para sa mga Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) kung 'di pati rin sa mga migrants. Kailangan na ang mga loan applicants ay may existing business at kompleto ang mga permit . Maaari silang mag-submit ng requirements dito sa SDC office na isu -submit namin sa ICCB upang i -evaluate ang feasibility at qualifications ng mga ap

  Senator Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos has sought to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign-made medical supplies by boosting their local production, especially of personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers and other frontliners. Ms. Marcos, who chairs the Senate committee on economic affairs, has filed Senate Bill 1708, or the “Healthcare Manufacturing and Pandemic Protection Act,” to exempt local manufacturers from certain taxes and continue applying export incentives even on their output for domestic consumption. “We need to guarantee that our health workers and frontliners have the medical supplies they require. Shortages of PPEs and other requisites caused infections resulting in the inexcusably high death toll among doctors, nurses and other frontliners,” Ms. Marcos explained. “At the onset of the pandemic, we were unable to procure supplies from China, Singapore, Japan, and Korea, themselves struggling against the virus. We could not bid against

By Leilanie G. Adriano ( Staff Reporter) LAOAG CITY–The Department of Trade and Industry in Ilocos Norte awarded 55 “Negosyo Starter Kits” to 55 beneficiaries from the towns of Paoay, Currimao and Badoc. With the ongoing worldwide pandemic, DTI provincial director Rosario Quodala said they have widened the provision of livelihood kits to those affected by the pandemic including potential entrepreneurs, those who are stricken by calamities such as Covid-19, fire and armed conflicts. To qualify as a beneficiary, Ms. Quodala said, “the receiver must not be a recipient of any social amelioration program from other government agencies. In addition, Maricor Racela, DTI-Ilocos Norte senior trade industry development specialist and trade promotions officer said that each of the beneficiaries received around PHP8,000- 10,000 worth of sari-sari store and meat processing kits to start up a new business. For one of the “Nego kits” beneficiaries like Janice Caliboso, she said she may not

  Laoag City —The Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO) led the salary distribution of the first batch of “Saguip Manggagawa Program” (SMP) beneficiaries at Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena, this city on June 25, 2020. The SMP hired 141 employees of non-essential micro-enterprises who worked for 10 days under the supervision of their employers. They each received PHP 3,400 from the Provincial Government. The program helped both employees and employers of non-essential micro-enterprises, whose operations were temporarily suspended during the lockdown, to recover their income loss. “We are here to assist our small businesses in staying alive. Iyon ang pinaka-importante na tuloy-tuloy ang mga negosyo natin at ang mga kailian natin ay compensated pa rin, sumusweldo pa rin ,” Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc remarked. He further explained that the provincial employment group is devising long-term “strategies and solutions” to support the operation of smal

Laoag City “We proposed to the governor a cash-for-work for jeepney and bus drivers in the province so we can assist them somehow, which was already implemented,” remarked Cipriano Hilarion “Perry” Martinez III, MINC executive director. “The ‘Libre a Pagluganan’ program is more for our frontline workers. The cash-for-work program, which is geared for the cleaning and unclogging of canals in preparation for this rainy season, is a collaboration between the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, and the Office of the Barangay. Beneficiaries rendered five days of work to complete the program and received PHP1225 salary. Moreover, 15 PUJs are deployed at selected pick-up and drop-off points to accommodate the transportation needs of healthcare workers, non-medical frontliners, and medical patients. Driver-beneficiaries receive a daily fuel subsidy and As of writing, a total of 9,105 frontliners and 317 medica

Laoag City —The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) through the Small-Medium Enterprises (SME) Office is in preparation for the immediate provision of recovery assistance for small businesses in the province, specifically sari-sari -store owners. This “COVID-19 Recovery Assistance to Affected Sari-Sari Store Owners Through KADIWA Program” is an initiative of Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc which aims to assist distressed small and micro store owners who are affected by the pandemic, by providing them 2,000 pesos worth of grocery items to replenish their goods. “ Sa pinagdaanan nating krisis, may mga sari-sari store owners na maaaring nagamit nila for personal consumption yung mga paninda nila kaya nawalan sila ng stock. Maaari ring wala na silang ibang pagbilihan ng ibebenta, at kung mayroon man , limited lang. Ito ang dahilan kaya we are giving these store owners a grant for free, to assist them in the form of grocery items,” SME officer Elma Gabriel stressed. “They

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter CITY of batac —Micro, small and medium enterprises in the province are excited to explore the services of a sophisticated one-stop techno hub now made available closer to their homes. A former overseas Filipino worker-turned-entrepreneur Agnes Asuncion from Currimao, Ilocos Norte said “you do not need to travel by far or go out of the country to find a better fortune when there are opportunities waiting for you back home.” As a member of the Philippine Export Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT), Ms. Asuncion is just one among the hundreds and thousands of beneficiaries of various government programs and initiatives to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to grow and maximize their potential. “We thank MMSU and DTI for being behind us —from skills training, product development and marketing of our products. Through them, we are more confident now to export our products,” said Asuncion who is into dragon fruit soap-ma

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—A massive river clean-up along the stretch of the Padsan River is being eyed to bring in better opportunities among Ilocanos through sand extraction. For five years starting this year, the China-Philippines Unified Enterprises Inc. (CPU), a Philippine-based consultancy firm that assists Chinese clients find business opportunities in the country will be extracting sand along the heavily-silted Padsan River for construction use. While introducing the new company and its planned operation to host villages in Laoag, Martin Araneta, CPU external vice president said in an interview they have already secured an open quarry permit and the extraction of sand will commence after consulting local residents in the area. “We are here to bring in better opportunities and to serve the Ilocanos. Rest assured that whatever undertaking we may have will be in accordance to the law,” Mr. Araneta said following a video presenta

  By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter CITY OF BATAC —The Philippine Economic Zone Authority looks forward to seeing the province of Ilocos Norte grow and develop into a “smart community” now that a Special Economic Zone Institute (SEZI) is readily accessible for all Ilocanos. Located at a small corner of the newly-inaugurated National Bioenergy Research and Innovation Center (NBERIC) of the Mariano Marcos State University in its main campus in this city, the SEZI establishment in partnership with MMSU is one of the biggest PEZA projects to provide skills training and research to make every Filipino a “world-class worker”. During the signing of memorandum of agreement between PEZA and MMSU held at the university’s hostel on January 23, 2020, PEZA Director General Charito B. Plaza said, “more ecozones are being created now to promote investment throughout the world for export industries.” “Let us transform the Philippines as an investment haven and transform ever

The cities of Batac (top) and Laoag are now open for business permits for both new businesses and renewals. (Doms dela Cruz)