The Ilocos Times

Laoag  council ex-officio member Roque Benjamin Ablan presents his measure expressing the Liga Ng Mga Barangay support for the passage of House Bill No. 5066, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta For Barangays”, introduced by Rep. King George Leandro Antonio V. Collantes 3 rd  district,  Batangas) which was later approved by the body. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz, Staff reporter Laoag City —The Liga ng Mga Barangay (LMB) Laoag City Chapter has expressed their support for the passage of House Bill No. 5066, or the “Magna Carta For Barangays”, introduced by Rep. King George Leandro Antonio V. Collantes (3 rd district,   Batangas). LMB-Laoag President Roque Benjamin Ablan announced their support after the Sangguniang Panlungsod members unanimously approved a resolution of support to strengthen barangays as the backbone of governance. Section 384 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, declares that “The b...

City of Batac —"Leadership begins with a vision—one that is rooted in faith, shared with the people, and lived in service,” said Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos as she marked her first 100 days in office at the Ilocandia Cultural Center in this city on October 10, 2025. In her address, Araneta-Marcos outlined her administration’s early accomplishments, emphasizing responsive governance, disaster resilience, and inclusive development. She cited the institutionalization of monthly alignment meetings between the executive and legislative branches, the full approval of Salary Grade 3 for entry-level government workers, and the creation of new offices such as the Provincial Information Office and Agriculture Biosystems Engineering Office, among others. “I cannot work with unhappy people. One of my first priorities was to make the Capitol a happier place,” she said. In the face of multiple typhoons and natural disasters, Araneta-Marcos underscored the province’s shift...

Artificial intelligence (AI) can be a powerful ally in exposing corruption, but without integrity, accountability, and political will, it will never be enough. This was the central message of experts and former public officials at the 11th Annual Public Policy Conference (APPC) organized by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) as part of the 23rd Development Policy Research Month (DPRM). Plenary Session 3, titled “AI-Augmented Fight Against Corruption,” highlighted both the promise and perils of AI in governance. Speakers agreed that algorithms may detect patterns of fraud and misuse, but only human integrity and strong institutions can effectively close the loop on accountability.   Promise and limits of AI tools Dr . Jacopo Costa, Senior Specialist at the Basel Institute on Governance , described AI as both a frontier and a warning. He explained that AI’s real strength lies in processing large volumes of data, detecting hidden patterns, and helpin...

Laoag  councilor John Michael Fariñas presents his measure regulating all businesses on fuel filling and refilling stations in the city in accordance with existing and established zoning, safety, and environmental standards during the last regular session and was approved on its third and final reading. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz, Staff reporter Laoag City —The city government here will soon start regulating all fuel filling and refilling stations in the city in accordance with existing and established zoning, safety, and environmental standards. Laoag councilor John Michael Fariñas said Article II, Section XVI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution; Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code; Republic Act No. 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 ; Republic Act No. 9275 or the Philippine Clear Water Act of 2004 ; Republic Act No. 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990 ; and Republic Act No. 9514 or the Fi...

By Dominic B. dela Cruz,  Staff reporter Laoag City —Guided by this administration’s tagline, “Alisto, Asenso, Progreso,” Laoag mayor James Bryan Q. Alcid presented his 1 st 100 days accomplishment for the city of Laoag.   Charity Begins At Home The mayor’s first half day of work became a signal for change that everyone should start to work and deliver the beginning of fulfilling promises which he immediately signed Executive Order No. JBA 001-2025 institutionalizing the tagline “Alisto, Asenso Progreso” as the general approach to local governance for his administration and to be adapted by all departments aligning their programs, projects, and services. The mayor likewise issued Memorandum JBA 2025 No. 001 for the City Assessor’s Office and City Treasurer’s Office for the implementation of Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act that resulted to a collection of PHP4 million and saved around PHP8,000 for the fines and penalties those who were unable to...

  Laoag  councilor Justine Chua presents his measure urging all barangays in the city to establish a registry of animal raisers, which was later unanimously approved by all members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod present during the said session. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz, Staff reporter Laoag City —For more effective supervision and control of animal population, the city government of Laoag has urged all barangays in the city to establish their respective registration of animal raisers. Laoag councilor Justine Clarence Chua said the measure aims to conduct an annual animal inventory of all pets, livestock, and poultry production to the Office of City Veterinarian. Chua, who sponsored the measure, said this is in connection with Section 17 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, which mandates all Local Government Unit (LGUs) to provide agricultural extension and veterinary services, which include livestock and poultry ...

Laoag  Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( staff reporter) Laoag City —Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Laoag unanimously approved a “one of a kind ordinance” called “Lead the way” ordinance promoting respect, discipline, and civic responsibility in all public and communal spaces within the city of Laoag. Laoag Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Rey Carlos Fariñas   said that it is the policy of the city Government of Laoag to promote and uphold the values of respect, discipline, and civic responsibility in all public and communal spaces, in alignment with City Ordinance No. 2024-034, otherwise known as the “Oplan Dalus Code”, in order to foster harmony, safety, cleanliness and community pride. “The City of Laoag, whose name in Ilocano means bright and is proudly known as the Sunshine City, embodies a tradition of community pride, cultural vibrance and strong civic values,” Farinas said. He added that respect, discipline, and civic res...

KMJ in Baguio . Barangay 11 San Fernando, San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte officials headed by punong barangay Dominic Dela Cruz pose with Baguio Vice Mayor Atty. Faustino A. Olowan and the members of the Baguio City council. The San Nicolas barangay council embarked on “a meaningful and enriching ‘Knowledge Management Journey (KMJ)’” to the City of Baguio on September 15, 2025. This activity aims to broaden the barangay council's perspective, strengthen their understanding on local governance and gain more valuable insights more on legislative practices. The barangay officials personally witnessed how proposed measures are being deliberated, how issues are addressed, and how final decisions are collectively reached in a democratic and systematic manner. (Photo by Rols Burgos)

Laoag Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Rey Carlos Fariñas defends his measure regarding the city government of Laoag expressing its commitment to transparency, accountability and community consultation in the implementation of national infrastructure projects in the city of Laoag. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz, Staff Reporter Laoag City —The Sangguniang Panlungsod here expressed its “commitment to transparency, accountability and community consultation in the implementation of national infrastructure projects in the city of Laoag”. Section 1, Article XI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that, “Public Office is a Public Trust’. Public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people with highest standard of transparency, efficiency, and public trust;” Sections 2 and 27 of the Local Government Code of 1991 provides that it is the Policy of the State to require all national agencies and offices to conduct periodic consultations with a...

By Dominic B. dela Cruz,  Staff Reporter City of Batac —Newly elected Batac Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Albert D. Chua led the inaugural session of the new set of members of the 7 th Sangguniang Panlungsod on June 7, 2025. Before the session formally started, Chua delivered his inaugural speech, focusing in the realization of the city’s goal thru team work and joint efforts by enacting ordinances and crafting resolutions that will propel Batac towards a brighter future. Chua looked forward in collaborating with the city councilors’ expertise in addressing challenges and opportunities that may come. “Let us embark this new journey with a shared vision for a better Batac and may our collective efforts and collaborative partnerships with the executive department headed by [Batac] Mayor Markee Chua bring pride, progress and prosperity to our city and out people,” Chua said. Chua likewise presented his legislative agenda in his first term as vice mayor of Batac a...