The Ilocos Times

Laoag City —The provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) spearheaded by Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc led a series of cash-for-work payout distribution on April 2, 2024 as Ilokano farmers concluded their environmental preservation services. PGIN, in partnership with the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development, allotted a budget for the program totaling to PHP54,810,900 which helped 13,212 beneficiaries in the first quarter of this year. Since Manotoc was elected as governor of Ilocos Norte, he has prioritized the promotion of environmental preservation which can be seen from his province-wide campaign “Narimat nga Aglawlaw” that focuses on implementing solid waste management and anti-pollution programs. This cash-for-work program is one of the foundations that builds the bridge towards improved quality of environment in the province and this is manifested in his speech during the cash distribution in Vintar, Ilocos Norte: “Rest assured itutuloy po namin itong programa

Badoc, Ilocos Norte—This town’s Liga Ng Mga Barangay (LMB) President and Sangguniang Bayan ex-officio member Virgilio Calajate expressed his full support in the conduct of the first semi-annual barangay general assembly in all the barangays here with a theme ‘’Barangay At Mamamayan, Sama Samang Nagtutulungan Sa Pagtaguyod Ng Maayos, Maunlad At Mapayapang Pamayanan Tungo Sa Isang Bagong Pilipinas”. In expressing his full support for the conduct of the semi-annual general assembly as the “father” of all the Punong Barangays in this town, he said this would let their respective constituents about their accomplishment, especially on their plans, programs and activities for the barangay as well as their financial conditions. Calajate likewise emphasized his support for the “Bagong Pilipinas” campaign of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., as the administration’s brand of governance and leadership which focuses on all-inclusive plans for economic and social transformation. “

Laoag City —The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of the provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) sustained its position as the Regional's Best PESO for 2023 during the Dept. of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Year-End Performance Assessment and Planning Exercise cum 2024 Congress in Alaminos City, Pangasinan, on March 13, 2024. PGIN-PESO also received the same recognition in 2017, 2019, and 2022. It   was also recognized for achieving the “Highest Number of Individuals Reached through Labor Market Information”, the “Highest Number of Hires on the Spot during Job Fairs”, the “Highest Number of Applicants Placed”, being the “Best Implementer of the TUPAD Program”, having the “Highest Number of Registered Employers”, winning the “Kabuhayan Awards 2023 for Implementing Livelihood Programs”, being the “Top Performing PESO in Career Development Support Programs”, receiving “Special Citations for Implementing Job Start Philippines”, and for “Timely and Complete Submission of St

LAOAG CITY—The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Ilocos Norte has reached its PHP3.2 billion collection target for 2023 due partly to compliance among taxpayers. In a media interview, revenue district officer Aldrin Camba said he is thankful for the taxpayers for making the Ilocos Norte bureau one of the country’s top performing revenue districts. “(This transpired because of) the cooperation of Ilocano taxpayers and through the intensified tax enforcement operations, which paved the way in hitting the annual target,” he said. For this year, the local BIR chief vowed to duplicate or even surpass last year’s success through intensified enforcement activities such as the imposition of stiff fines and filing of tax evasion charges against tax cheats, if any. In support of the implementation of the Ease of Paying Taxes Act, he said, "the district has started accelerating its digitalization initiatives to deliver prompt, efficient, and excellent taxpayer service, ensuring tha

By Dominic B. dela Cruz  (Staff Reporter) Laoag City —Elected barangay officials in this city who had served for three consecutive terms in the same position will soon receive cash incentives from the city government. Laoag councilor Jason Bader Perera made this announcement after the Sangguniang Panlungsod unanimously passed a measure to this effect. Perera, who authored the said ordinance, explained that the incentives are for the barangay officials’ being in the frontlines in the delivery of basic services, maintenance of peace and order as well as other government services. He added that despite the work they give and provide, they receive “insignificant benefits”, and low honoraria, instead of regular salaries. Perera cited Section 458 (a) of the Local Government Code which empowers the Sangguniang Panlungsod to enact ordinances and appropriate funds for the general welfare of the city and its inhabitants pursuant to section 16 of this code. Section 393 of the same cod

Indauluan da Gob. Jeremias “Jerry” Singson (Maikatlo manipus kanawan) ken Bise Gobernador Ryan Luis Singson (maikadua iti kanigid) ti pannakagetteng ti laso kas mangipasimudaag iti panaglukat ti Kape de Ylocos Trade Fair idi Octobre 24, 2022. Karaman kadagiti sangaili da Vigan City Mayor Bonito Singson, sigud a Mayor Chavit Singson ken LMP pres. Germelina Goulart. Vigan City— Tapno masustiner ti kinangato ti kalidad ti Rubosta a kape a patanor ti Ilocos Sur, inyusuat ti Gobierno Probinsial ti Ilocos Sur ti Kape de Ylocos Trade Fair manipud Octobre 24-28, 2022 iti Provincial Farmers Livelihood Development Center, iti Siudad ti Vigan. Sangapulo ken lima a coffee shops/establishments ken lima nga coffee producing upland municipalities ti nangipatakder iti booth -da. Inarak dagiti managkape nga Ilocano dagiti booth tapno ramananda ti templa dagiti propessional a barista a nagusar kadagiti local a binukel ti kape ( coffee beans ) a produkto dagiti ili ti Sigay, Sugpon, Salcedo ken S

By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Laoag City —To keep up with the increasing demands of local governance, the city government here has created various positions in its different offices. Laoag councilor Juan Conrado Respicio said that it is an imperative to create various positions in different office. Section 76 of Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the “Local Government Code of 1991”, states that “Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern—Every local government unit shall design and implement its own organizational structure and staffing pattern taking into consideration its service requirements and financial capability, subject to the minimum standards and guidelines prescribed by the Civil Service Commission.” Section 458 paragraph (a) (1) (viii) of the same code also provides for the power of the Sanggunian Panlungsod to determine the positions and the salaries, wages, allowances and other emoluments and benefits of officials and employees paid wholly or mai

By Dominic B. dela Cruz  (Staff Reporter) Laoag City —The city-owned cockpit arena will soon to resume operations after the Sangguniang Panlungsod of here allowed its resumption for two years on its present location. Laoag councilor Jason Bader Perera said that the decision to reopen the arena is based on the amended part of the zoning ordinance which states: “A cockpit may be established in open agricultural areas providing a 100-meter radial distance from residential, commercial, institutional and educational uses, and in compliance with existing national laws, to, “a cockpit may be established in a commercial area providing a 20-meter distance from residential, commercial and institutional uses and 100-meter radial distance for educational uses and if it is an open agricultural area then a 100-meter radial distance from residential, commercial, institutional and educational uses, and in compliance with existing national laws”. During the discussion, Perera cited a jurisprudenc

LAOAG CITY – Reelected Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc vowed to continue programs he started during his first term but on a much grander scale. In his speech during the formal presentation of documents for turnover at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Manotoc said that while expectations are high for the province of Ilocos Norte and its new set of leaders, he sees no problem achieving their goals, especially under the incoming administration of his uncle President Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. “We have the national government on our side. So, let us capitalize on the moment. We are at the forefront of the Philippines and everybody is looking at us. Let us make our president and our province mates proud,” Manotoc told the transition team and the department heads. He said he will push for agriculture modernization, tourism investments as well as manufacturing and product processing to generate more jobs and livelihood. "There had been a lot of dela

ACTING  Solsona Vice Mayor Jonathan De Lara presides the Aug. 10, 2021 regular session of the Sangguniang Bayan as he was officially designated as the acting vice mayor of Solsona by DILG Sec. Eduardo Año. ( Doms Dela Cruz ) By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Solsona , Ilocos Norte—The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) central office thru Secretary Eduardo M. Año has formally ordered Sangguniang Bayan member Jonathan De Lara to assume as acting vice mayor of Solsona. De Lara’s designation, dated August 5, 2021 as acting vice mayor of Solsona, was to fill up the temporary vacancy created in the said office due to the assumption as acting mayor of Solsona Vice Mayor Bob Sacro. Sacro assumed as acting mayor due to a 60-day preventive suspension order issued to Solsona Mayor Joseph De Lara by Ilocos Norte Governor Mathew Joseph M. Manotoc dated July 16, 2021 for an administrative case. DILG regional director Julie J. Daquioag further informed DILG OIC

Solsona Sangguniang Bayan members Jonathan De Lara (standing right) and Nestor Dela Cruz (standing left) discus with the other council members the proposed municipal ordinance prescribing omnibus guidelines on the implementation of preventive measure against ASF in Solsona as Solsona Vice Mayor and SB presiding officer Bob G. Sacro (seated center) and other SB members listen. The said measure was approved in its third and final reading in the regular session and was authored by De Lara. ( Doms Dela Cruz ) By Dominic B. dela Cruz  (Staff Reporter) Solsona , Ilocos Norte—With the imminent African Swine Fever (ASF) threat to the hog industry of here, members of the Sangguniang Bayan unanimously approved an ordinance prescribing omnibus guidelines in the implementation of preventive measures against this virus with accompanying penalties to those who would not abide by them. In order to arrest the negative economic impact brought by ASF, Sangguniang Bayan member Jonathan De Lara said

  Pinili Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Maynard Francis Bumanglag (seated left) listens to SB member Jerry Fernandez (standing right) as the later moved for his ordinance granting a milestone award to senior citizens in the municipality of Pinili on its third and final reading while other members listen. The said measure was unanimously approved by all members present during the July 5, 2021 regular session. ( Doms Dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Pinili , Ilocos Norte—All members of the Sangguniang Bayan here unanimously approved, on its third and final reading, a measure granting milestone awards to senior citizens ages 80 years old and above. Pinili Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Maynard Francis Bumanglag said the measure is a tribute to senior citizens who have been developmental partners in the municipality and incomparably contributed in strengthening family as an institution. “ Sapay la kuma ta daytoy a gakat ket makatulong kadagit

Piddig Mayor Eddie Guillen (upper right photo) represents the municipality of Piddig together with PLDT Enterprise and Smart executives during the virtual launching of the “Piddig Free Internet Connectivity” for all the 23 barangays here held on June 29, 2021. (LGU Piddig photo) By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Piddig , Ilocos Norte—Not to be left behind, the municipal government here in partnership with PLDT Enterprise and Smart Telecommunications launched the free internet connectivity project by providing fiber connectivity and internet solutions to all 23 barangays here. “My dream has now [turned] into a reality,” Piddig Mayor Eduardo “Eddie” G. Guillen said by providing a reliable internet connection to all the barangays here to support online learning, improve governance capabilities and online business with their constituents. “This new project of Piddig would be of great help in the advancement of Piddig and our schools for learning, especially [in] this time of

Photo by Dulce Valenzuela Ilocos Norte provincial treasurer and BLGF local representative Josephine P. Calajate (middle) leads the inspection of documents at the office of former Laoag City treasurer Elena Asuncion to help in the investigation of the missing PHP85.4 million from the city government’s coffers while city treasurer Diomedes Gayban (standing left) and other city hall employees look on. (Photo by Dulce Valenzuela) By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Laoag City —After five years of being padlocked and off-limits to everyone, the Commission on Audit (COA) and the Department of Finance (DOF)-Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) have approved the re-opening of the padlocked City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) on June 22, 2021. Laoag Vice Mayor Vicentito M. Lazo said the opening of the sealed office was approved and signed by the local COA and BLGF representatives in response to the twin resolutions passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod addressed to the COA and the DOF f

PAGUDPUD  third term and consistent senior SB member Ferdinand Garvida formally announces his intention to run for mayor the coming 2022 local and national elections  (Doms Dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz  (Staff Reporter) Pagudpud , Ilocos Norte—A three-way fight for the chief executive post in this town looms in the coming elections next year. Three-termer and consistent senior Sangguniang Bayan member Ferdinand Garvida disclosed his intention to run for mayor in the upcoming election. “ Saan a mailingeden appo ta agradwarak met ngaminen ket ti unus iti tallo a pinag konsehal ko, siyak latta iti nagbalin a number one kas resulta iti pinangay-ayat dagiti tao kaniyak ,” Garvida stressed. He said his family has already decided for him to run for mayor. His family includes his sister Pagudpud Liga ng mga Barangay president and Sangguniang Bayan ex-officio member Maricel Garvida, who will be his running mate. He likewise added that he has already formed his line up though he

The Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS) has recently included plywood under the list of products required to undergo its “Product Certification Schemes” through the issuance of DTI Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 20-06, series of 2020 on 15 October 2020. With the issuance of DAO No. 20-06, the new technical regulation concerning the mandatory product certification of locally manufactured or imported plywood, manufacturers of plywood are now required to secure the Philippine Standard (PS) Quality Certification Mark License before they can sell or distribute their products to the market. Importers, on the other hand, are now required to acquire their products from foreign manufacturers holding valid PS Licenses only. This technical regulation aims to strictly ensure compliance to specified quality requirements for plywood being sold in the Philippine market. Plywood is one of the most commonly used construction materials in the country