The Ilocos Times

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—The provincial government of Ilocos Norte announced that an initial amount of PHP300 million is ready for release for the payment of lots for the expansion of the Laoag International Airport this year. Lawyer Athena Nicolette Pilar, acting general manager of the Metro Ilocos Norte Council (MINC), assured the payment of lots based on appraised value will be given to lot owners as soon as all the documentary requirements such as proof of ownership have been complied with. “We have a directive from the governor to protect the interest of the lot owners at all cost. That is why we conducted a public consultation with them last weekend to explain all the needed requirements and the importance of expanding the Laoag airport. Those who completed the requirements of the land acquisition to the provincial government will be paid this week,” Pilar said in a media interview. “We were assured to get our check payment five days after submission of complete documents,” said Fernando...

Laoag SK federated president Michael Christoph Agustine defends his measure requesting Rep. Sandro Marcos to allocate fund for the construction, rehabilitation and expansion of LMB and SK buildings. ( Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz,  Staff Reporter Laoag City —With the aim of “fostering a better coordination and communication among the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials” in this  city, the Sangguniang Panlungsod here approved a measure requesting Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos, through the Dept. of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), to allocate funds for the construction, repair, rehabilitation, and expansion of the existing Liga ng Mga Barangay (LMB) and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) building situated at Brgy. 2 Sta. Joaquina, this city. Sangguniang Kabataan Federated President and Sangguniang Panlungsod ex-officio member Michael Agustin said the construction of the LMB and SK buildings are deemed essential to facilita...

LAOAG  Councilor James Alcid defends his measure requesting the removal of plant boxes and overlay pavement which has effectively suspended the construction of a bike lane along the bypass road. (Inset) The suspended construction of a bike lane along the bypass road in Laoag City.  (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Laoag City —The construction of A bike lane along the Rodolfo C.G. Farinas Jr. bypass road remains suspended following another resolution passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod here. Laoag councilor James Bryan Alcid requested the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-Region 1 office) to remove the plant boxes and overlay pavement of the suspended government project launched by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), along the Rodolfo C.G. Fariñas Jr. bypass road, which he said should to be replaced by thermoplastic paint with solar studs and to be painted with cautionary color scheme. The Philippine Highway Network under the Ph...

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Solsona , Ilocos Norte--The municipal government here has realized its dream to have a new evacuation center, and at the same serve as quarantine facility, as they held a groundbreaking ceremony for the project on June 30, 2021 at the project site, Brgy. Santiago, this municipality. Solsona Mayor Joseph De Lara said the project was in response to his request to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) main office thru DPWH Region I Director Rommel Tan on October 2019.    De Lara believes the project “will be of great help especially in this time of pandemic as it will serve as a quarantine facility and evacuation center in case of calamities”. The one-storey building will sit in a lot with a total land area of 1,450 square meters; the lot is owned by the provincial government and municipal government of Solsona, and is the municipality’s counterpart for the project. The Ilocos Times learned that the project has a ...

Dingras Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Engr. Erdio Valenzuela (seated left) and   SB member Charles Tadena (standing right) discuss the purchase of additional CCTV cameras for the municipality of Dingras while other SB members listen in the discussion. Doms Dela Cruz   By Dominic B. dela Cruz (Staff Reporter) Dingras , Ilocos Norte—Members of the Sangguniang Bayan here approved an urgent resolution authorizing Dingras Mayor Geoffrey Saguid to negotiate with various lot owners for the purchase of lots for the expansion of the public cemetery at Brgy. Bungcag, this town. Dingras Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Engr. Erdio Valenzuela announced that the measure was unanimously approved by all members present. SB member Joey Apostol authored the resolution but it was later manifested that it be sponsored by the committee of the whole. Valenzuela admitted that this has been one of the problems during his time as mayor in Dingras having lack of ...

Inauguration of 2 more infra projects follow By Dominic B. dela Cruz  (Staff Reporter) Marcos , Ilocos Norte—The municipality of Marcos will soon have its own three-storey new multi-purpose/municipal hall building after a ground breaking ceremony held Feb. 8, 2021, signaling the start of construction. Ilocos Norte Governor Mathew Joseph M. Manotoc, who served as guest of honor in the groundbreaking, said in his speech that he “strongly expresses his full support with this monumental undertaking of Marcos as their stepping stone of going to a more progressive municipality in the province of Ilocos Norte”. Manotoc added that the people of Marcos deserve a new municipal building as a “representation and a symbol in the entire municipality and the people itself”. He applauded the leadership of the Marcos Mayor Antonio Mariano and the whole Sangguniang Bayan headed by Marcos Vice Mayor Hilario Lorenzo for this initiative believing that this town hall will be one of the “nicest...

By Dominic B. dela Cruz  (Staff Reporter) Marcos, Ilocos Norte—The municipal government here proposed three-storey town hall from the existing 50-year-old two-storey old building. Marcos town mayor Antonio Mariano announced this in an interview saying, “it’s about time to construct a new building municipal hall of Marcos”. As of press time, the mayor said all offices at the municipal hall are all getting ready in transferring their office supplies and equipment temporarily to the rural health unit (RHU), ABC building and other offices outside the municipal hall. “Makita tay metten a daan detoy municipyo tayon ta agob-obo pay ketdin no kasta nga agtudo ta agarup nasursurok payen ngem 50 years nan , ” Mariano said. The neophyte mayor added that the municipal government has applied for a loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) in the amount of PHP132 million with a 2.5% percent interest per annum payable for 15 years. The mayor hopes that construction will...

  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 —As one of the five pilot provinces in the Philippines to lead the Department of Agriculture’s synergized agriculture and fisheries extension services, Ilocos Norte has started building its three-story research and extension center to boost local farming practices. On September 10, 2020, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc led the groundbreaking ceremony of the construction of the Ilocos Norte Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System (INAFES) at the Provincial Agriculture Compound in Laoag City. "After devolution, naging fragmented na ang agriculture extension services natin. Kaya naisipan naming i -collate lahat ng efforts, skills, at resources upang mabigyan ng mas mabisang solusyon ang mga problema ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda ," provincial agriculturist Norma Lagmay shared during the press briefing at Sangguniang Panlalawigan Hall, on September 24, 2020. Accordingly, the provincial government will apply a participatory rapid appra...

  Laoag City —The Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) is resuming the construction of “Big 3” infrastructure projects after months of delay due to revisions on architectural designs. “Last year pa natin sinimulan itong ‘Big 3’ at dahil design-build project ito , hindi automatic construction kaagad . May naganap pang design phase. Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa natin masasabing 100% complete na ang design plan ng mga projects,” PEO assistant engr. Lani Daquioag said. The PEO is currently on an ongoing demolition works and has started partial foundation plans, particularly the bored piling at the Dap-ayan Center, excavation works at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Stadium, and demolition process at the Provincial Capitol. “ Isa sa mga concerns namin ngayong tag-ulan ay ang construction ng basement sa Dap-ayan. Talagang maghuhukay tayo diyan at ngayon bored piling pa lang ang ginagawa namin, nakikita namin na mataas na ang water level. Ito ang isang dahilan sa posibleng pagka ...

By Leilanie G. Adriano ( Staff Reporter) LAOAG CITY– The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) has certified its commitment for a long-lasting partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government after granting it the land utilization request for the construction of a permanent building for its provincial office personnel. On February 27, 2020, employees of the DILG both from the provincial and municipal levels are all smiles as they witnessed the signing of the deed of usufruct agreement between the PGIN led by Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc and DILG Regional Director James Fadrilan at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall in this city. According to Mr. Fadrilan, employees of the DILG provincial office have long been longing for a permanent office building after moving from one place to another where there is space available for rent. “Today marks the beginning of a new and significant chapter in our organization. It is indeed a big bles...

Laoag City —"We would like to see Ilocos Norte as a walkable, bikeable, and livable province. Integrating the places for living, working, and playing in a proximate distance with each other,” Architect–Urban Planner Felino “Jun” A. Palafox Jr. remarked during the presentation of the Ilocos Norte development masterplan at the Provincial Capitol Auditorium, this city on February 3, 2020. Part of the 202nd Founding Anniversary celebration’s “Open Capitol: Ilokano Creatives Fest” was the “New Ilocano Infrastructure,” the launching of “2020 Ilocos Norte Masterplan Project” and a presentation of the “Big 3” infrastructure projects of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN). Born in Bacarra town, the multi-awarded Mr. Palafox revisited and discussed the “Ilocos Norte Development Masterplan.” “Ilocos Norte has so much development potential. If you look at the topography, we have the lowlands, midlands, and the highlands. Each of the 23 towns and cities can be...

Laoag Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Vicentito Lazo speaks during an outreach regular session at Barangay 38-B Mangato, this city on March 11, 2020. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Laoag City —Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod here proposed the relocation of their office from the City Hall old building to the ABC building at Brgy. 2, this city. During their last outreach session at Brgy. 38-B Mangato, Laoag Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Vicentito M. Lazo announced the proposal during the “Chairman’s Time”.   In an interview, Mr. Lazo admitted that they did not notice that the SP session hall’s ceiling’s materials have started falling. During an inspection, the City Engineering Office said there is a PHP1.5 million fund available for the rehabilitation of the said session hall. Aside from the PHP1.5 million, Mr. Lazo also learned that there is another PHP1 million fund surplus for the purchase of motor ve...

Laoag Mayor Michael M. Keon and Laoag Vice Mayor Vicentito Lazo, Laoag councilors Rbee Ablan, and Jaybee Baquiran, Dr. Eliezer Asuncion, LCGH chief of hospital and Dr. Mary Ann Luis, LCGH chief of clinics witness the delivery of new medical equipment for the Laoag City General Hospital: three units of hemodialysis and (2) units of chemical analyzer. The mayor hopes that the new equipment will further improve the delivery of services at LCGH and boost the income of the hospital, and ultimately benefit the people of Laoag. (Doms dela Cruz)

Laoag City —Adapting to the growing developmental needs of its people while safeguarding the province’s heritage, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte unveiled the architectural plans of the “Big 3” infrastructure projects, particularly the “sustainable” Capitol building and new Ferdinand E. Marcos (FEM) Stadium, on February 3, 2020. One of the highlights of the 202 nd founding anniversary celebration of the province is the commencement of the “2020 Ilocos Norte Development Masterplan,” and in-depth discussion of the “Big 3” infrastructure projects. The “Big 3” are the Provincial Capitol expansion building, the Ferdinand E. Marcos Stadium rehabilitation, and the Dap-ayan Center redevelopment. According to architect Rex Hofilena, the new Capitol design is based on the “heritage-inspired new Ilocos Norte architecture.” “The final design has to be anchored on heritage, Ilocano culture and tradition, and green architecture. The proposed Capitol now has an i...

Vintar Vice Mayor Amado Victor Racimo, representing the municipal government, meets the delegates from the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) and the DPWH regional office on January 9, 2019 to verify the proposed rehabilitation of the hanging bridges destroyed by typhoon Ineng at Brgys. Isic-Isic and Lipay. The said project has an appropriated budget of PHP3 million and PHP8 million respectively, which was already approved. The Vintar government hopes the project will start at the soonest possible time. (Doms dela Cruz)

By Bernardo B. Ver II Contributor Laoag City —To conform to International Civil Aviation Organization Standards and Recommendation Practice, the Laoag International Airport (LIA) continues to expand its runway and improve its facilities as part of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) development programs. According to Ronald Estabillo, Civil Aviation Authority terminal manager for the Laoag airport, DOTr has long planned the project for the city’s airport with funding of PHP128 million. In February 2018, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed between the Ilocos Norte government represented by then Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos and the DOTr represented by Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Procurement, Atty. Reinier Paul Yebra. However, the residential area near the airport will be affected, as well as a creek and a barangay road. The MOA tasks DOTr to fund the acquisition of affected lots and the improvements found in the area i...