The Ilocos Times

By Leilanie G. Adriano  (Staff Reporter) LAOAG CITY—The province of Ilocos Norte has intensified its efforts to protect the province from African swine fever (ASF) by requiring hogs and chicken suppliers to register with the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) here. Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Domingo Ambrocio, chair of the committee on agriculture, said the move is meant to keep the province protected from the highly infectious and contagious disease that has been affecting the hog industry since it entered the country in August 2019. As one of the three remaining provinces in mainland Luzon that is free from the viral disease, Ambrocio said there is a need to implement more stringent measures and help stabilize exorbitant pork prices. " Viajeros [traders] and their partner buyers shall be both responsible for anything related to each and every hog shipment. Both partner and viajero , when found in violation of any or part of the ordinance, or any guidelines and pro

By Leilanie G. Adriano  (Staff Reporter) LAOAG CITY – The offices of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan were placed on lockdown effective Feb. 22, 2021 as its more than 100 employees and officials underwent reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test. Dr. Josephine Ruedas, Ilocos Norte provincial health officer, in a telephone interview, said these employees are considered “primary contacts” of one of the secretaries of a provincial board member who was confirmed positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Feb. 20, 2021. “Should they test negative or not, all of them have to complete the 14-day quarantine period,” Ruedas said, noting the life-saving importance of self-quarantine when a person was exposed to a person who contracted the virus. It was learned that IN-C767, a 62-year-old provincial government employee from Brgy. 29, Santo Tomas this city, was previously exposed to IN-C759, who is her daughter-in-law. Both patients are symptomatic and current

  By Bernardo B. Ver II (Contributor) LAOAG CITY—Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Saul Paulo A. Lazo received a plaque of appreciation for his “invaluable assistance and generous support” from the Department of Education-Division of Ilocos Norte on January 7, 2020. Lazo is one of the recipients from the provincial government who supported the education sector. He is also provincial board’s education committee chairperson. The stakeholders in the education sector are helping DepEd in “building quality education in the new modalities of learning in today’s academic challenges”. According to senior education program specialist Valerie Talamayan, the distinctions are an aspect of the “partnership appreciation” program as a “sign of gratitude in attaining excellence in education”.

By Leilanie G. Adriano ( Staff Reporter) LAOAG CITY—The province’s livestock sector including other agricultural commodities is not swayed by the pandemic nor the threat of African swine fever in this part of northern Luzon. Dr. Loida Valenzuela, provincial veterinarian said the province has more than enough supply of pork and other meat products. “Our livestock situation in the province is stable. There has been no price increase of meat products and eggs amidst pandemic,” said Valenzuela. According to Valenzuela, the province continues to supply livestock and poultry products to neighboring cities and provinces such as in Tuguegarao, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Baguio City. To augment the high demand for meat products in Metro Manila, Ilocos Norte also hopes to share a pie in the supply chain by bringing in frozen goods in the area. Since May 2020, the Department of Agriculture-National Livestock Program (DA-NLP) reported around 213,500 hogs from Visayas and Mindanao were tr

By Leilanie G. Adriano ( Staff Reporter) LAOAG CITY—The pandemic has hit the world hard and without remorse including a small province up north. While many businesses have closed, other business opportunities have also shoot up as they adopt to the change of time. The province of Ilocos Norte is emerging as an agro-industrial economy when the COVID-19 panic started. Everyone was forced to the confines of their homes except for people who have to report to work. Suddenly, it was all back to basic. People left at home focused on home improvement and gardening too, for those with space available. Technology has also become more than ever in demand, not only for kids who are on homeschooling but also for families who are separated by distance. Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc acknowledged that 2020 has been a tough year for the province because of the presence and impact of pandemic but like in the past, the Ilocanos will continue to weather the storm and win the bat

National Action Plan Against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer Secretary Vicencio Dizon. (PGIN-CMO photo) By Leilanie G. Adriano  (Staff Reporter) LAOAG CITY—As the province of Ilocos Norte re-strategize to prevent and contain the novel coronavirus infection here, National Action Plan Against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer Secretary Vicencio Dizon assured officials and residents they are on the priority list to avail of the vaccine once it is available in the country. Mr. Dizon and other members of the National Task Force on Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (CODE) were in Laoag City on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020 to augment the on-going containment strategies being implemented amid surge of cases of COVID-19 in the province. In a meeting held at the Laoag City Centennial Arena, Mr. Dizon said getting vaccinated is the surest way to move on from the pandemic. “Ilocos Norte is one of our priority areas specially for our front-liners. Hopefully, the vaccine will arrive by th

  Laoag mayor Michael M. Keon receives a plaque of recognition and a P250,000.00 check as the winner in the search for the cleanest and greenest city in the province of Ilocos Norte. The awarding was witnessed by VG Cecilia Araneta Marcos, PENR officer Ms. Estrella 'Baby' Sacro and DENR-IN provincial director Vic Dabalos.  (CMO-Laoag photo) By Dominic B. dela Cruz  (Staff Reporter) Laoag City —Laoag City and the municipality of Nueva Era emerged as this year’s “cleanest and greenest” local government units (LGUs) of Ilocos Norte.   Under the “Narimat nga Aglawlaw” (A Brighter Environment) campaign of Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc, the provincial government, through its environment and natural resources office (ENRO), started the province-wide “Search for the Cleanest and Greenest Competition” last year to challenge component local government units to improve their waste management.  Held at the Sirib Mile on December 9, 2020, Laoag City won its second

Laoag City —At the beginning of his term, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc pledged to "further develop Ilocos Norte by investing in the health of Ilokanos," recognizing his constituents as "greatest assets" of the province.   With this, the provincial government of Ilocos Norte has been expanding its healthcare infrastructure to increase the capacities of all government-managed hospitals in the province. For the fiscal year 2020, the provincial government allocated over PHP118 million for the improvement, rehabilitation, and renovation of the Governor Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital (GRBASMH) and the province’s district hospitals. Included in the completed infrastructure projects in GRBASMH are the improvement of the computerized tomography (CT) scan building, renovation of the intensive care unit (ICU) room, and the rehabilitation of comfort rooms. Also included are the rehabilitation of the operating and delivery rooms of Dingras Distri

  Laoag City —Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc and the provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) started the province-wide gift-giving activity to shed a light and bring joy in time for the holiday season and amidst the pandemic. Through the “Narimat a Paskua: Handog ng PGIN sa mga Ilokano,” the different capitol departments have prepared over 27,000 economic and social welfare assistance to various sectors in the province. A total of 17,000 noche buena packages with 250 gift vouchers and another 1,300 leisure incentive vouchers were given to COVID-19 frontliners. Likewise, millennium development goals family-beneficiaries and tourism workers will be receiving one of the 1,115 and 1,200 noche buena packages, respectively. Moreover, 3,000 senior citizens will also receive grocery packs, and some 200 beneficiaries of “assistance to individuals in crisis situation”, support services. PGIN has been handing out presents including assorted grocery items, busin

Laoag City —Ilocos Norte is again maximizing agricultural innovations to sustain its food security through the use of the first automated multi-crop drying machine (AMCDM) in the Philippines. On October 23, 20202, the sustainable development center (SDC) headed the test run of the machine at the Takuat Training Center in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte. “This (AMCDM) is first of its kind in the country. Through this, we aim to help our farmers and the micro, small, and medium enterprises in the province. We can process their surplus produce and preserve it for longer shelf life. Also, we can utilize this for export,” SDC head Edwin Cariño said.  Dr. Lorcelie B. Taclan, who is from Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte and the main creator of the manual form of the multi-crop drying machine, worked together with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to upgrade the machine into an automated heat pump dryer.  “The heating temperature of the machine is 35-50 centigrade. We will not be cooking

I only have a few regrets in life, and most of these regrets result from incidents when I was not kind enough, not from times when I was not harsh, vindictive, self-affirming enough. In these times of crisis, I consciously choose to be a lot kinder to people, our leaders included. There will be a time to evaluate their performance. The moment of reckoning will inevitably come. But, for now, they're all we've got. This is what’s on my mind as Ilocos Norte ranks on top among provinces that recorded COVID-19 cases in a day (92) and as Laoag City is placed under localized modified enhanced community quarantine. The latest turn of events actually come as a surprise because Ilocos Norte is known to have heavily regulated and heavily guarded borders. Why the spike in cases? We do not want to point fingers, but I think we should stop blaming our people. By and large, they, we, are not pasaway . People will follow strict measures as long as these are consistently and intelligentl

Sarrat, Ilocos Norte—To further assist in the recovery of small businesses in the province, the provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), through the small-medium enterprises (SME) office, distributed package containing various goods to micro-bakery owners in the town of Sarrat. Called the “Pandagdag Pangkabuhayan Program,” it is an initiative of Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc, which aims to assist distressed small bakery owners who are affected by the pandemic, by providing them items to replenish their goods. “ Ang mga bakery owners dito sa bayan ng Sarrat ang unang mabibigyan ng assistance. Mayroon tayong walong beneficiaries dito. Pero imbes na flour ang ibigay, dahil may expiry date ito at mabilis masira kapag na -stock, na -convert ito sa mga raw materials gaya ng mantika , white sugar, at brown sugar na magagamit pa rin nila sa kanilang negosyo ,” SME officer Elma Gabriel explained. The provincial government plans to give assistance to 80 micro b

  By Leilanie G. Adriano ( Staff Reporter) LAOAG CITY—A proposed coffee room at the west wing of the Ilocos Norte Capitol building was converted to a contact tracing operation center with at least five dedicated personnel to further improve the provincial health task force’s coronavirus disease 2o19 (COVID-19) contact tracing efforts. Equipped with three computers and a life-size projector, the provincial government officially inaugurated the Contact Tracing Operation Center on October 27, 2020 to process data of the contact-traced individuals. Catholic priest Rev. Father Ian Rabago blessed the center with provincial officials led by Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc and other health personnel and contact tracers in attendance. Wildredo Lorenzo Jr., the provincial government’s information technology officer said in an interview, "the operation center will operate 24/7, and will collect and consolidate the contact tracing data gathered on the field."

  By Leilanie G. Adriano  (Staff Reporter) LAOAG CITY—Three colossal projects in the province of Ilocos Norte are taking their tool in view of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which delays the delivery of equipment and construction materials including skilled laborers sourced by contractors as far as Manila and Pampanga. Assistant provincial engineer Lanie Daquioag confirmed this as she reported "there are some changes in the original plan and design." Known as the “Big 3” projects, the provincial engineering office said the on-going construction of the Provincial Capitol expansion building, reconstruction of the Dap-ayan Food Park, and the full rehabilitation of the President Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium, all in the city of Laoag is only about 10 percent completed. Funded through a soft loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines during the last term of former governor and now senator Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee" R. Marcos, t

  Laoag City —The provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) and "Arkila," a local delivery service provider, have collaborated to employ displaced public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers as delivery riders to service customers in various parts of the province. According to Atty. Nikki Pilar, Metro Ilocos Norte Council (MINC) project head, the provincial government has been creating COVID-19 recovery projects to alleviate the condition of the stakeholders in the public transportation sector. “One way to safeguard the livelihood of our affected PUV drivers is working with delivery entities since 50% of the transportation sector is only allowed to operate in the province. We contacted Arkila, the first delivery service provider that showed interest to our ‘IN BUYanihan Recovery Program’, to partner with the hiring of displaced drivers,” she remarked. Five driver-riders were already hired, with beneficiaries targeted at 50. They will follow a rotational shift in deliverin

  By Leilanie G. Adriano ( Staff Reporter) LAOAG CITY—As the province of Ilocos Norte relaxes its borders to tourists and returning residents, the provincial government of Ilocos Norte is urging all its residents and visitors to adopt the use of the “SafePass” app to manage COVID-19 cases. Instead of scanning piles of logbook and reviewing CCTV footages for contract-tracing purposes, “SafePass” is a digital incident mitigation and management system developed to address COVID-19 safety protocols, and now has free versions that can be used by anyone from anywhere. In a three-page Executive Order, which Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc issued on Oct. 21, 2020, the governor said there is a need to adopt SafePass to minimize the adverse effects of COVID-19. According to Wilfredo Lorenzo Jr, the provincial government’s information technology department officer-in-charge, he said that starting October 21, 2020 all Capitol employees will use the “SafePass” app when ent

Pagudpud , Ilocos Norte—Officials of the Chinese Consulate in Ilocos Norte, headed by consul Zhou Youbin, visited the northern provincial border in this town and gave border personnel meals and face masks on October 1, 2020. In time for the Mooncake Festival, the time of the year the moon is at its fullest that symbolizes reunion, the consulate also offered mooncakes. Likewise, October 1 marked the 71 st anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. "We are proud to support brave Ilokano frontline workers. I would like to extend our deepest respect to all police, soldiers, medical workers, firemen, and local officials. Thank you for your selfless service to protect the whole community,” Mr. Zhou said. "We value the longstanding friendship between Filipinos and Chinese. Together, we will finally win the battle against the virus. Wish everyone a Happy Mooncake Festival," he added. Since the onset of the pandemic, Ilocos Norte's Chinese consula

By Leilanie G. Adriano  (Staff Reporter) LAOAG CITY—Young achievers in the province of Ilocos Norte received their cash stipend in a simple ceremony held at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena. Running for nine years now, the Provincial Capitol workers’ children who are performing well in school get cash reward from the provincial government of Ilocos Norte. According to human resource management officer Fe Siazon, this year’s 52 beneficiaries have increased compared to previous years which ranges from 20 to 30. The beneficiaries graduated in elementary, senior high school and college on top of their classes and each of them received PHP6,000 cash reward. For a parent like Lyn Marie Asuncion from Laoag City, she said she is grateful to the provincial government under the administration of Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc for inspiring more government workers and rewarding their children who do well in school. “The cash incentive is a great boost to our childr

Laoag City —Medical technologists and nurses assigned in several local government units in Ilocos Norte underwent a capacity-building training on September 24, 2020 to scale-up the province's testing capacity as part of its coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response.   Held at the Provincial Capitol Auditorium, the training was a joint initiative of the Task Force Salun-at and the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMH&MC).   According to Dr. Modesty A. Leaño, head of MMMH&MC’s molecular biology laboratory MC, the training aims to empower city and municipal health offices in conducting the proper procedure in collecting, packaging, and transporting of COVID-19 specimen.   “The goal of the Task Force Salun-at and MMMH&MC is for all persons involved in contact tracing, the locally stranded individuals [LSIs], and the Returning Overseas Filipinos are subject to prompt, proper, and timely testing. Importante ang proper collection [of swab sampl