The Ilocos Times

  Laoag City —To support a wider demographic of residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) has created an emergency livelihood and employment program for Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs). Through the “IN na NEGOSYO sa KARITON ni Manong MATT” program, PGIN will provide a working capital of Php 2,000.00, a business cart or “ kariton” , and an entrepreneurship training to 50 qualified recipients. According to Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO) manager Lizette B. Atuan, the project will cater to displaced ROFs who will stay in the province for good. PESO will accept applications from August 17 to August 21, 2020. Applicants must first write a letter of intent to Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc, fill-out an application form available at llocos Norte PESO Facebook Page, and send it to ilocosnortepeso2020@gmail.com for assessment.   Chosen ROF-beneficiaries need to submit the following requireme

  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

  DTRA and USAID staff meet with Philippine General Hospital Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi (left), and deliver a donation of more than Php3.6 million in PPE (right) . Manila —The United States, through the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and in coordination with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), distributed PHP14.8 million (US$300,000) worth of regionally-manufactured personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and COVID-19 treatment centers across the Philippines.   This latest donation brings overall U.S. government assistance to the Philippines’ COVID-19 response efforts to nearly Php981 million ($19.8 million).   U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim said, “This delivery of PPE demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the Philippines to stop COVID-19.   During this month, which began with a commemoration of Philippine-American Friendship Day, we are honored to support our Filipino friends, partners, and allies with

  Laoag City —To ensure the  accessible delivery of quality education amidst the pandemic, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) allotted PHP25 million for the procurement of desktop computers for public school students and teachers. “Last week, [Ilocos Norte] Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc asked the Provincial Treasury Office to allot PHP25 million for the procurement of desktop computers. We hope that we can purchase it before the opening of classes and distribute it to identified clustered areas,” provincial education office chief Dr. Dany Daquioag said. According to Mr. Daquioag, the Schools Division of Ilocos Norte (SDOIN) will assist in the identification of recipients, particularly schools in remote communities, of the desktop computers that they will use for downloading and printing of learning modules. The provincial government is also requesting donations from business process outsourcing (BPOs) companies based in Ilocos Norte to augment learning equipment

  Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua and several members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by Batac Vice Mayor Windell Chua distribute equipment to the different schools in the city. The simple turn-over was held at the Imelda Cultural Center on July 9, 2020. (CGB photo) By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Batac City —In preparation for the upcoming school year 2019-2020, the city government here distributed equipment to the different schools in this city on July 9, 2020 at the Imelda Cultural Center. Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua, in his speech during the turnover ceremony, assured that the city government will continue to support the city schools’ division here, especially on the implementation of learning continuity programs in the “new normal”. Mr. Chua said the purchased school equipment comes from the city government’s special education fund (SEF).   The city government turned over five units of photocopier to Payao Elementary School and the Batac National High School-Payao

Laoag City —The Sangguniang Panlalawigan is now finalizing the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the new provincial scholarship program for medical students. On June 25, 2020, the provincial board’s Committee on Education, chaired by Atty. Saul Paulo A. Lazo, invited resource speakers and major stakeholders to revise the draft IRR for the Doctor of Medicine scholarship program at Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Batac City. “ Madaming katanungan ang Sangguniang Panlalawigan sa pagkagawa ng IRR. Kaya ang Committee on Education ay nag-imbita ng resource speakers kasama ang mga kapwa bokal natin upang ayusin ang IRR,” Mr. Lazo noted. He guaranteed that the “tripartite agreement” for the first year to third-year scholars will be finalized before the opening of MMSU College of Medicine in August, while the Clinical Clerkship and Internship programs will have a separate agreement. Moreover, the final number of scholarship slots will still need further discussi

  Laoag City —The provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) continues its animal dispersal program to sustain income-generating opportunities for livestock raisers, especially at this time of the pandemic. On July 21, 2020, the Provincial Veterinary Office spearheaded the dispersal of 33 native piglets to three women organizations: Rural Improvement Clubs of Brgy. Sto. Tomas and Brgy. San Jose in Vintar, and Brgy. Bato in Badoc. Each organization received one male and ten female piglets, along with electrolytes, deworming medications, and vitamins. " Ito ay tulong sa mga kababaihan. Ipapahiram natin ang mga baboy sa loob ng dalawang taon. Pagkatapos nito, ibabalik nila sa provincial government ang dalawang anak ng mga baboy. Ito ang ipamimigay natin ulit sa mga ibang organisasyon ," animal dispersal coordinator Mark Patrick Cortez explained the rationale of the program. Since 2010, PGIN has dispersed around 28,700 farm animals to almost 11,000 recipients. Also,

Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua and several members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by Batac Vice Mayor Windell Chua distribute equipment to the different schools in the city. The simple turn-over was held at the Imelda Cultural Center on July 9, 2020. ( Photo courtesy of CGB)

Laoag City —In the thick of the pandemic, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) through the Provincial Education Department (PED) visited towns and cities in the province to distribute the stipend of provincial scholars. The distribution of stipend, facilitated by the PED in partnership with the Ilocos Norte Youth Development Office (INYDO), and the Provincial Treasurer’s Office, started on May 20, 2020 and ended on June 3, 2020. Almost 2,000 scholars from the academic, technical-vocational, senior high school, and Sirib youth leaders’ scholarship received their stipend, which was distributed by the provincial government to their respective areas. In his message, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc thanked the scholars for their participation in the programs of the provincial government as well as encouraged them to explore and spend their time properly: “I encourage you to explore different opportunities and use your time wisely. I know we all have a l

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

Manila —On June 4, the United States, through the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), presented a donation of PHP54.8 million [US$1.1 million] in sustainment supplies to the Special Response Units of the Philippine Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) National Headquarters in Quezon City. The supplies will assist the BFP in fulfilling their mandate as the Philippines’ Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) response agency.   The BFP is also one of the primary agencies conducting decontamination and response activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.  DTRA and the BFP have a longstanding partnership to strengthen the Philippines’ capabilities to respond to CBRN incidents and conduct chemical inspections and decontamination operations.   DTRA is also supporting the BFP and other Filipino agencies in their development of Counter-Weapons of Mass Destruction capabilities. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency enables the Department of Defense, the United States Government,

  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

By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Batac City —Coping with the crisis brought by COVID-19, the city government here went on its fourth tranche of distribution of relief goods with cash assistance to all families in the city. Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua said they distributed 25 kilos of rice, two face masks, two blister packs of vitamins, one dressed chicken and PHP1,000 cash as the city’s local social amelioration to every family in the city. Those who live alone also received 10 kilos of rice, one face mask, one blister pack of vitamins, one dressed chicken and PHP500 cash. Mr. Chua stressed that the city government remains steadfast in their thrust to safeguard and help the Batacqueños recover from this pandemic. The local social amelioration, the mayor said, came from the city’s savings and surplus. Earlier, the city government distributed three kilos of rice, canned goods, noodles and bath soap; six kilos of rice, canned goods, noodles and one tray of egg; and 25

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

Laoag City —The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) has officially received its requested units of ambulance from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), in front of the Provincial Capitol Building in this city on April 7, 2020. Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph  M. Manotoc, along with the heads of hospitals in the province who are recipients of the donation, witnessed the arrival of the first two out of four patient-transport vehicles, which the PCSO earlier pledged. The receiving hospitals will primarily use the ambulances as additional transport services addressing coronavirus-related concerns. “ Gusto naming magpasalamat dahil dumating na ang  request  ng  provincial government.  Wala pang mga  medical equipment  at instruments sa loob  [ambulance]  kaya  magdadagdag tayo ng mga kulang at kailangan para maging  full-pledged ambulance  ang mga ito . ‘ Yung  next two ambulances  ay parating na rin , so we really thank our friends from PCSO,” Mr. Manotoc ex

Laoag City —The provincial government’s “Kadiwa Rolling Store”, also known as “Kadiwa Express” started to roam once again to provide basic and more affordable commodities to Ilokano families throughout the province. The ‘Kadiwa Express,’ manned by the employees of the Provincial Capitol headed to the municipalities of Adams and Dumalneg on April 1, 2020 to bring various commodities such as rice, local fruits and vegetables as well as instant noodles, canned goods, powdered sugar and coffee, among other, which are sold at much lower prices compared to prevailing market rates. This initiative serves as aid to farmers and local entrepreneurs as well as to residents whose access to basic needs are limited due to the enhanced community quarantine in the province, caused by the Corona virus (COVID-19). Adams Mayor Rosalia Dupagen rejoiced when she was informed that the ‘Kadiwa Express’ will set up in their town: “I am thankful to PGIN kasi malaking tulong ang pag -deliver ng mga a

  Vintar Vice Mayor Amado Victor Rasimo assists provincial veterinary officer Dr. Loida Valenzuela in the distribution of 321 goats to Vintar farmers. The recipients are those farmers whose crops were destroyed by typhoon “Ompong” two years ago. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Vintar , Ilocos Norte—The Department of Agriculture (DA) thru the Provincial Veterinary (PVet) Office distributed 321 goats to farmers here. The farmer-beneficiaries were affected by the typhoon “Ompong” two years ago. PVet head Dr. Loida Valenzuela led the distribution of the said goats assisted by Vintar Vice Mayor Amado Victor Rasimo and several members of the Sangguniang Bayan. Dr. Valenzuela said the beneficiaries are farmers whose crops and animals were affected by “Ompong”. The Ilocos Times learned that former Ilocos Norte Governor, now Senator Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos has requested this rehabilitation for farmers not only in Vintar but in t

Laoag City —To ensure continued assistance to communities and families from the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and the Sustainable Development Office (SDC) distributed food packs to the first group of local government unit (LGU) recipients on March 24, 2020. The provincial government distributed sacks of rice and food packs to the municipalities of Carasi, Piddig, Solsona, and Banna, catering to families, whose wages are earned on a daily basis. These include the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) recipients, drivers, street vendors, farmers, and fisherfolk, among others. Earlier on the same day, the municipalities of Adams, Dumalneg, Pagudpud, Bangui, Burgos, Currimao, Pinili, Paoay, and Nueva Era also received their relief packs in front of the Provincial Capitol Building. At present, Ilocos Norte is still under enhanced community