The Ilocos Times

Cancer is not just a disease—it is a systemic failure. In the Philippines today, we see this reality drawn in stark numbers: over 180,000 new cancer cases reported yearly, and 466,000 Filipinos living with cancer within the last five years. Every day, we lose more than 300 Filipinos to cancer, according to recent cancer-summit data. These are not just statistics—these are lives undone, families saddened, and dreams stunted. What’s worse, these may be conservative figures: many cancer cases among the poor go unreported, uncounted. Yet, for all this burden, we lack a national cancer institution at par with the Philippine Heart Center for heart disease or the Lung Center of the Philippines for respiratory illness. Instead, cancer care is fragmented. Yes, we have several cancer treatment centers—but none fully symbolizes the unity, capacity, and recognition of a national “cancer hospital.” At the heart of the nation’s public cancer fight is the PGH Cancer Institute , part of the Uni...

By Dominic B. dela Cruz;  Staff reporter Laoag City —The city government here is urging all 80 punong barangays to intensify awareness, prevention and response measures against leptospirosis to reduce infections during and after heavy rains. Laoag Councilor Justine Clarence Chua reminded barangay officials that Laoag’s frequent tropical cyclones and prolonged rainfall increase the risk of waterborne diseases transmitted through floodwaters and contaminated soil, including leptospirosis. He described the disease as a serious bacterial infection that can cause high fever, jaundice, kidney failure, meningitis and death, and warned that even a few cases can burden local health services and families. The City Health Office reports four confirmed cases since July 2025, including two from Barangay Bengcag and two fatal cases from Barangays 6 and 46. Chua said barangay health workers, working with punong barangays, are key to early detection, reporting, education and referrals that e...

SEARCH AND DESTROY. Local residents in Baccara, Ilocos Norte, search for and destroy mosquito breeding sites in this undated photo. The Provincial Health Office recorded a surge of dengue cases with zero deaths as of June 11, 2026. (Contributed photo) By Leilanie G. Adriano LAOAG CITY—The Ilocos Norte Provincial Health Office (PHO) on June 11., 2026, reiterated its call for proactive measures against dengue in communities to maintain the province's zero-deaths record from the mosquito-borne disease. The latest record from the PHO, however, showed a surge in dengue cases, with a total of 443 cases, compared with 272 during the same period last year. Most dengue cases were recorded in the cities of Laoag and Batac, and the towns of Solsona, Sarrat, Dingras, Piddig, Badoc, Banna, Bacarra, and Paoay. “While no dengue-related deaths have been reported, the public is urged to remain vigilant and continue practicing the 5S strategy to help prevent the spread of dengue,” PHO chief ...

  Ilocos  Norte leads the way toward cervical cancer elimination, nearing 90% HPV vaccination coverage among young girls, a milestone that brings the Philippines closer to a cervical cancer-free future. Laoag City — Ilocos Norte is on its way to becoming the first province in the Philippines to achieve 90-percent vaccination coverage among young girls in public schools against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which is the cause of cervical cancer.   The province’s goal is aligned with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) target to fully vaccinated 90% of girls against HPV by age 15, to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030. Ilocos Norte’s ambition was highlighted during the Department of Health’s (DOH) national launch of the Bakuna Eskwela Campaign in Balatong Integrated School in Laoag City on September 30, 2025. This comes after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed in his recent State of the Nation Address , that cancer prevention through HPV vaccination, is one o...

Laoag  Mayor James Bryan Alcid with Regional Director and DOH Ilocos Center for Health Development Paula Paz Sydiongco, city government officials, DOH and DSWD staff take pictures with the beneficiaries of the distributed free wheelchairs from DOH. The free medical services dubbed as “Handog Ng Pangulo” is a simultaneous mission nationwide in celebration of the birthday of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. with Laoag City among one of the chosen venues. Records show that hundreds of Laoagueños were also granted free medical assistance. ( Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz, S taff reporter Laoag City —Considering that this city as the new “Gateway to the North” and as it is booming and progressing, the new Laoag mayor is proposing to construct a new government center to be situated at Brgy. 1, San Lorenzo this city. Laoag Mayor James Bryan Q. Alcid said that it has been “observed and learned” that the Laoag City Hall is “too old and needs more space for offices”. “Ta da...

By Noralyn Dudt FAITH and science collide, often the saying goes. But developments in biochemistry and cell biology are proving otherwise. A biochemist peers into a tiny cell and   he stands in awe by the intricacies of the molecular machines that reside there which science has been uncovering over the last decade. There are elegant machines that translate RNA into protein, others that help move the cell around and others that transmit signals from the cell surface to the nucleus, traveling along a cascading pathway of multiple components. And   It is not only   the cell that provokes a sense of astonishment -- entire organs that are made up of billions or trillions of cells are constructed in a way that can only inspire awe. Consider, for instance, the human eye, a complex camera-like organ whose anatomy and physiology continue to impress even the most sophisticated student of optics. Dr. Francis Collins, a renowned geneticist and former director of the National Ins...

In theory , price controls have no place in a free market economy. The idea is simple: let supply and demand determine market prices, and let healthy competition do the rest. In such an ideal world, the government would play referee, not participant. Suggested Retail Prices (SRPs), for instance, should logically be set by manufacturers or distributors—not by government agencies. And yet, as with many things, theory doesn’t always line up with reality. In the Philippines, the concept of the Maximum Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) appears to be something of a local innovation. It’s not widely seen—or even recognized—in other countries. While the term “suggested” implies a degree of flexibility, the inclusion of “maximum” adds a controlling tone that veers uncomfortably close to a mandated ceiling. This duality conflicts with the principles of a free market economy, where private businesses ideally have the autonomy to price their products based on value, cost, and demand. This raises a...

Surgical setup at the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center. The surgeon is performing total hip replacement and is assisted by a surgical resident and a scrub nurse. The hospital can cater up to 5 cases per day, a testament to its mission of being a premiere center of excellence in healthcare in Ilocos region. By Michael Sylvestre A. Saturnino City of Batac —The Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMH&MC) in Ilocos Norte is a beacon of hope for patients suffering from the effects of severe knee osteoarthritis and hip osteoarthritis or fractures. Through the invaluable leadership of Dr. Maria Lourdes K. Otayza, medical center chief, and Dr. Jose B. Orosa III, chief of medical professional staff and the financial support from the office of Ilocos Norte first district Congressman Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, the hospital conducted a life-changing hip and knee replacement mission, providing essential surgical care to those who otherwise may no...

In response to disasters like severe tropical storm Kristine [international name Trami], Sen. Imee Marcos filed Senate Bill No. 186, which aims to create the National Resiliency and Disaster Management Authority. The said agency will focus on preparing, giving warnings, responding to and helping communities after calamities. “If we have a centralized authority for disaster management, we would be able to identify the most vulnerable zones and prepare properly against disasters,” Marcos said, calling for an agency that focuses on leading anything disaster-related. Marcos emphasized the lack of preparedness and coordination among provinces frequently affected by calamities, particularly in Bicol. “Bicol faces the Pacific, has an active volcano, and is subject to numerous accompanying threats, why hasn't a synchronized national response been established?” the senator questioned. The victims of severe tropical storm Kristine complained about the power outage, inadequate genset i...

By Noralyn Onto Dudt If you think dieting will make you lose weight, think again. You need to consider what metabolism is and how it works. Metabolism is the process through which your body converts what you eat and drink into energy. This complex process powers everything you do, from breathing, to growing, to providing your brain with the energy to think. Whether your body is active or at rest, it's constantly burning calories (a measure of energy) non-stop. Even when you're resting or sleeping, your body needs energy to keep vital functions going, like breathing, circulating blood, and repairing cells. This energy use is called basal metabolic rate (BMR)). Daily activities such as walking,   talking, and doing everyday tasks also burn calories.   Physical activities like running, swimming, or lifting weights increase the number of calories your body uses. Metabolism is largely influenced by genetics. However, there are some lifestyle modifications you can make ...

City of Batac —The provincial government of Ilocos Norte, in partnership with the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMHMC), conducted a medical mission in the City of Batac, Ilocos Norte, from Sept. 19 to 21, 2024. SGH is the largest acute care tertiary hospital in Singapore, with over 50 clinical specialties, emphasizing patient-centered care and comprehensive healthcare services, and is a leader in medical education and research. The medical team from Singapore was comprised of renown orthopedic, hand, and plastic surgeons, as well as senior nursing and allied healthcare staff. Surgeries performed included hip and knee replacements, arthroscopic procedures for both the shoulder and knee, as well as complex upper limb and facial reconstructive surgeries. Over the years, PGIN, under the leadership of Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc, has continued to focus on improving the province's health system by part...

Bangui , Ilocos Norte—The provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), in partnership with the Dept. of Health (DOH), conducted a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a four-storey annex building at the Bangui District Hospital in this town on Aug. 18, 2024. Bangui District Hospital, currently a 25-bed secondary hospital under the management of PGIN, stands as the primary healthcare provider in the northern part of Ilocos Norte. A budget amounting to PHP74 million from the General Appropriations Act of 2023-2024, through the DOH hospital enhancement project, has been allocated to upgrade the hospital from Level 1 to Level 2. The provincial government, under the leadership of Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc, continues to develop projects that aim to strengthen the healthcare system of the province to cater to the increasing medical demands of every Ilokano. "Today is another milestone in achieving the Level 2 status na gusto natin for Bangui Dis...

By Noralyn Onto Dudt CORTISOL,   the body's primary stress hormone, is a key part of the fight-or-flight response, a natural reaction to perceived threats. Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone that your adrenal glands located at the top of the kidneys produce and release. Hormones are chemicals that coordinate different functions in your body by carrying messages through your blood to your organs, skin, muscles and other tissues. These signals tell your body what to do and when to do it. If the brain perceives something dangerous, the hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) which travels to the pituitary gland, triggering the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). This hormone travels to the adrenal glands, prompting them to release cortisol. Glucocorticoid s are a type of steroid hormone. They suppress inflammation in all of your bodily tissues and control metabolism in your muscles, fat, liver and bones. Glucocorticoid s also affect sleep-w...