The Ilocos Times

FREE ACCESS. The facilities of the Ferdinand E. Marcos Sports Stadium in Laoag City is free for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, students, and minors aged 17 years and below. A fee of PHP30 will be collected on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday for other visitors. By Leilanie Adriano LAOAG CITY—The provincial government of Ilocos Norte has announced a new usage policy for regular goers at the newly-rehabilitated Ferdinand E. Marcos Sports Stadium in this city. “Let's enjoy the stadium. It is a public venue and the use of the facilities will be free for three days a week," Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc told reporters in a press conference. To ensure the upkeep of the facilities of the 12,000-capacity track and field stadium, a fee of PHP30 will be collected on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, while the Olympic pool is free for everyone every Sunday. Exempted to this, however, are senior citizens, persons with disabilities...

  Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc and SEC Chairperson Emilio B. Aquino cut the ceremonial ribbon opening the SEC extension office in Laoag City. Laoag City —The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) opened its first extension office in Northern Luzon, located on the 5 th floor of the Dap-Ayan Commercial Center in this city. The inauguration of the new SEC office on Jan. 9, 2025 was led by Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc and SEC Chairperson Emilio B. Aquino, both emphasizing the importance of the office in further boosting the economic performance of the provinces in Northern Luzon. “We welcome SEC with open arms and I am hopeful that this will be a positive windfall, not only for Ilocos Norte but [for ] the entire Northern Luzon. We thank you once again our friends and partners from the SEC and please know that we’re here if you need anything, especially our new head of the SEC. We are hopeful that we will have a fruitful and beneficial p...

SMART GRID. Officials of the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative, National Electrification Administration Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda and Department of Energy Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan lead the ceremonial switching of the advanced metering infrastructure project at the INEC main branch in Dingras, Ilocos Norte on Jan. 15, 2025. The smart metering system will be deployed in the towns of  Nueva Era, Dingras, Pagudpud, Bacarra, Badoc and the city of Laoag for pilot testing in the first quarter of this year. ( Photo grab from NEA’s FB page) By Leilanie Adriano Dingras , Ilocos Norte—Government and commercial buildings in five municipalities and a city in Ilocos Norte will be tapped to pilot smart meters in the first quarter of 2025. The smart metering system will be pilot-tested in the towns of Nueva Era, Dingras, Pagudpud, Bacarra, Badoc and the city of Laoag, Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) acting general manager Cipriano Martinez said. National E...

Champion  pole vaulter EJ Obiena guides a young athlete during the opening of the pole-vaulting facility at the FEM Memorial Stadium. Laoag City —Olympic pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” U. Obiena and Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc opened Ilocos Norte’s first pole vaulting facility at the Ferdinand E. Marcos (FEM) Memorial Stadium, on No. 22, 2024, a step forward in transforming the Philippines into a global force in pole vaulting. Obiena, a world-class Filipino pole vaulter is currently ranked third in the 2024 World Athletics Rankings for the men’s pole vault category. He finished fourth place in the same sport at the 2024 Olympic games in Paris, France, barely missing a medal. He is also the first Asian athlete to conquer the six-meter mark at the Bergen Jump Challenge in Norway in 2023. Aside from this, Obiena is also a three-time Southeast Asian Games champion. He also bagged the gold medal in the 2023 Asian Games, becoming the first Filipino gold medalist ...

USAID Philippines Deputy Mission Director Rebekah Eubanks (right) hands over a donation of fishing nets to Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Manotoc (left) at the Pasuquin Fish Farm on October 10. Laoag City —The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for Internation al Development (USAID), turned over Php5 million (US$89,500) in aquaculture equipment to the provincial government of Ilocos Norte to support fisherfolk in sustainably farming tilapia. USAID Philippines Deputy Mission Director Rebekah Eubanks handed over the donation to Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc at the government-owned Pasuquin Fish Farm on Oct. 10, 2024.   “The United States is proud to support fishers in Ilocos Norte with tools that can increase their income and create resilient communities,” Eubanks said.   “These supplies will help fishers, especially those impacted by the recent Super Typhoon Julian, restore their livelihood and contribute to long-term food security by incre...

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...

Laoag City —Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc delivered his third State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Oct. 8, 2024 at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena, urging global Ilokanos to return to their roots and invest in their homeland. The event was attended by more than 8,000 audience, comprised of provincial officials, local chief executives, representatives from national government agencies, non-government organizations, barangay officials, sectoral representatives, and leaders from various communities. In his address, Manotoc began by acknowledging the challenges posed by the recent onslaught of super typhoon "Julian," which caused widespread devastation across the province. Despite this, he emphasized the resilience of the Ilokano people, stating: "It is during our most challenging moments that we prove to you that we are a provincial government you can depend on. Sa gitna ng kalamidad, matatag ang mga Ilokano. Naandurtayo !” As the address prog...

REELECTION BID. Ilocos Norte 1st Dist. Rep. Ferdinand Alexander "Sandro" Marcos  files his certificate of candidacy for a second term at the Commission on Elections provincial office in this city on Oct. 7, 2024. (Leilanie Adriano) By Leilanie Adriano LAOAG CITY—Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, the eldest son of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., formalized his reelection bid with the filing of his certificate of candidacy at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial office in this city on Oct. 7, 2024. He was accompanied by his parents, the President and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, along with his cousin, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc, and other relatives and supporters who cheered for him upon arrival at the provincial Comelec office. His second term bid is expected to be unopposed after defeating former Ilocos Norte first district Rep. Ria Christina Fariñas. Backed by the current administration and the different mayors of Ilocos Nort...

INTERNET CONNECTIVITY. Personnel of the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the  Ilocos Norte provincial government on Aug, 29, 2024 discuss the implementation of GovNet in the cities of Laoag and Batac. GovNet aims to provide a transparent, efficient, and effective governance through the use of online connectivity among government agencies. (Photo courtesy of Ilocos Norte province) By Leilanie G. Adriano LAOAG CITY—The provincial government of Ilocos Norte is currently upgrading its internet connectivity through the PHP21 million funding from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to implement the Government Network (GovNet) to 85 government agencies here. DICT is implementing GovNet to help address the basic needs of the government for transparency, efficiency, and effective governance through ICT. Under the program, DICT is responsible for providing the actual Fiber Optic Cores and the other peripherals that are necess...

Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Manotoc speaks during the “INvest: Ilocos Norte Investment Conference” at Ascott Bonifacio Global City in Metro Manila. Taguig City —"Consider me your partner and your advocate, I will be here personally to make sure that your business is also our business, and we take care of our investors in Ilocos Norte. Make it happen in the Philippines, make it happen in Ilocos Norte,” remarked Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc as he delivered his welcome message at an investment conference hosted by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) on Aug. 27, 2024 Government officials, foreign ambassadors, and representa tives from private businesses participated in a one-day event titled “INvest: Ilocos Norte Investment Conference” at Ascott Bonifacio Global City in Metro Manila. Organized by the Ilocos Norte Trade and Investment Center, the event featured experts in the field of investment promotions who shared experiences and valuable guidan...

NEW PATTERNS. An Abel exhibit is at the Laoag International Airport arrival area on Friday (Aug. 29, 2024). The use of these new patterns and designs for Abel Iloko is meant to attract a wider market, particularly among fashion designers and the younger generation to appreciate inabel products. ( Lei Adriano) By Leilanie Adriano LAOAG CITY—A homegrown start-up, Ilocandia Unliweave Patterns, is promoting new patterns and designs for the Ilokano handwoven cloth to attract more customers and designers, particularly the younger generation. In an exhibit at the Laoag International Airport arrival area recently, some of the intricate symmetrical patterns that were digitally generated based on a mathematical algorithm were showcased to stir curiosity. “The exhibit is held at the Laoag airport to promote these new patterns in a place where it is not exposed yet to expand its market reach,” said Bernard Guerrero, a cultural researcher, and consultant of the Bannuar Technology Business Inc...

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...

Laoag City —Magdalena G. Gamayo, an Ilokana master weaver and a national living treasure from Pinili town in Ilocos Norte, celebrated her 100 th   birthday on Aug. 13, 2024. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) of the Philippines, in partnership with the provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), organized an event at the Plaza Del Norte in Paoay to celebrate and honor Gamayo's centennial birth. "Nana Daleng," as she is fondly called by her provincemates, is one of the country's most revered cultural icons and a living embodiment of Filipino artistry and tradition. She started weaving hand-spun threads into her exclusive patterns and intricate designs at 16, allowing her to master traditional Ilokano weaving with excellence. In 2012, she was conferred with Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan by the NCCA. At 100, she continues her passion and dedication by training hundreds of young Ilokano weavers, a testament to her commitment to preserving and ens...

RAINY SEASON. Trike drivers in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte make their way through a flooded street along Paco Roman Street on May 29, 2024. The public is warned to brace for the rainy season. ( Lei Adriano) By Leilanie G. Adriano LAOAG CITY—The Ilocos Norte provincial government is now bracing for La Niña, urging all local government units (LGUs) to brace for higher rainfall and the upcoming typhoon season. “Let us make sure our waterways are clear, all equipment is available—our generator sets, boats, and search and rescue. We have to be ready when the time comes,” Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc said during a meeting with department heads at the Provincial Capitol. He directed concerned personnel of the local disaster risk reduction and management councils at the provincial and municipal levels to take a proactive role in minimizing the effect of typhoons as well as La Niña. Based on the latest advisory of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical ...

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...

TOURIST ARRIVALS. Tourists arrive at the Laoag International Airport in this undated photo. The peak day was recorded on March 29, 2024 with 84,824 visitors. ( Lei Adriano) By Leilanie G. Adriano LAOAG CITY—More local, domestic and foreign tourists are visiting Ilocos Norte, securing its spot as one of the premier tourism destinations in the country. Tourist arrival data released recently show that the province welcomed nearly 342,000 visitors during the Holy Week, Xavier Ruiz, officer-in-charge of the Ilocos Norte Tourism, said in a statement. "This marks a 5 percent increase from the same period in 2023 and a significant 48 percent jump compared to 2022, further exceeding pre-pandemic levels,” he said. Day-visitor arrivals, measured based on attractions, saw an increase to 341,953 while the peak day was on March 29, 2024, or Good Friday, with 84,824 visitors. Topping the list of the province's most visited attractions include the UNESCO-world heritage site of St. A...

BURNING OF FARM WASTE IN LAOAG CITY . The Bureau of Fire Protection dubbed the number of forest fires in the first quarter this year as alarming, after these have reached 26, higher than the 21 incidents in the whole of 2023. ( Lei Adriano) By Leilanie Adriano LAOAG CITY—An inter-agency task force has been formed in Ilocos Norte to address causes of forest fires which have reached 26 to date. The group is composed of representatives from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), Philippine Air Force (PAF), Philippine Army (PA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the provincial government of Ilocos Norte. Fire Supt. Roxanne Annie Parado, provincial fire marshal, in an interview   said the task force will conduct foot patrols in the forest fire-prone areas while providing alternative source of livelihood to honey bee collectors, wildlife hunters and kaingeros (or those involved in slash an...