The Ilocos Times

Laoag Mayor James Bryan Alcid and SM Foundation Inc. executive director for health and medical programs Connie Angeles lead the reopening of RHU III Primary Care Facility and Birthing Home. They are joined with DOH development management officer Jay-R Cacao, city heath officer Dr. Rodrigo Catcatan, SM stall manager Maria Christina Sebastian, Laoag Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas, and Laoag councilors Donald Nicolas, Bjorn Lao and Kiko Ang. ( Doms Dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz,  Staff reporter Laoag City —The Laoag City government has reopened the refurbished rural health unit (RHU) III on November 6. 2025. SM Foundation refurbished the RHU as part of its mission to strengthen communities through accessible healthcare. Laoag Mayor James Bryan Alcid and SM Foundation Inc. executive director for health and medical programs Connie Angeles led the formal reopening of the RHU III Primary Care Facility and Birthing Home. Joining there were Department of Health development managem...

  Joining the Semana Ti Ar-Aria Parada Iloca-Ilocana parade of floats organized by the Ilocos Norte provincial government on October 31, 2025, the city government of Laoag headed by Mayor James Bryan Alcid (upper right photo) and wife Jojami Lei (upper left photo) in their “Briliante Ng Tubig” costume. Other local government units, government and private agencies also joined the parade in celebration of the All Saints/Souls Day 2025. (Doms dela Cruz) Laoag Mayor James Bryan Alcid and wife Jojami Lei in their “Briliante ng Tubig” attire designed by Amor Albano for the Semana Ar-Aria Parada Iloca-Ilocana parade held October 31, 2025, in celebration of the All Saints/Souls Day. (Photo courtesy of  Amor Albano)

Laoag  council ex-officio member Roque Benjamin Ablan presents his measure expressing the Liga Ng Mga Barangay support for the passage of House Bill No. 5066, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta For Barangays”, introduced by Rep. King George Leandro Antonio V. Collantes 3 rd  district,  Batangas) which was later approved by the body. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz, Staff reporter Laoag City —The Liga ng Mga Barangay (LMB) Laoag City Chapter has expressed their support for the passage of House Bill No. 5066, or the “Magna Carta For Barangays”, introduced by Rep. King George Leandro Antonio V. Collantes (3 rd district,   Batangas). LMB-Laoag President Roque Benjamin Ablan announced their support after the Sangguniang Panlungsod members unanimously approved a resolution of support to strengthen barangays as the backbone of governance. Section 384 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, declares that “The b...

The  city government of Laoag, represented by Mayor James Bryan Alcid, and DSWD Usec for Innovation and Program Development Eduardo M. Punay lead the project launching and signing of the memorandum of agreement for the launch of “Project Aruga” in the city. They are joined by CSWDO Officer Perlita Cabello and DSWD Regional Director Field Office I Marie Angela S. Gopalan (upper photo) while members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas hands over a certificate of appreciation to Punay and Gopalan for the said project (lower photo). (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic Dela Cruz,  Staff reporter Laoag City —The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has formally launched “Project Aruga in the city and the subsequent signing of a memorandum of agreement the city government of Laoag as its fourth pilot implementation area in the entire Philippines on October 21, 2025 at the City Hall Conference Room. “Project Aruga” is a community-based prog...

Laoag  councilor John Michael Fariñas presents his measure regulating all businesses on fuel filling and refilling stations in the city in accordance with existing and established zoning, safety, and environmental standards during the last regular session and was approved on its third and final reading. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz, Staff reporter Laoag City —The city government here will soon start regulating all fuel filling and refilling stations in the city in accordance with existing and established zoning, safety, and environmental standards. Laoag councilor John Michael Fariñas said Article II, Section XVI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution; Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code; Republic Act No. 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 ; Republic Act No. 9275 or the Philippine Clear Water Act of 2004 ; Republic Act No. 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990 ; and Republic Act No. 9514 or the Fi...

  Laoag  Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Rey Carlos Fariñas presents his measure on the establishment of integrated water safety policy in the city of Laoag, and which was later approved on its third and final reading. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz, Staff reporter Laoag City —To ensure safety in infrastructure, trained personnel, and public awareness mechanisms in the prevention of drowning and related incidents, the Laoag Sangguniang Panlungsod has approved a bill calling for the establishment of integrated water safety policy. Laoag Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Rey Carlos Fariñas, who authored the measure, said that the Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160) empowers local government units to promote the general welfare, including the protection of life and public safety. Record shows that drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death in the Philippines, particularly in coastal and recreational ar...

The  Philippine Coconut Authority, in cooperation with the city government of Laoag, headed by Laoag Mayor James Bryan Alcid, plant 600 coconut seedlings in Barangay Navotas-B in this city. (Doms dela Cruz)

Former  Laoag Mayor Michael Keon and incumbent Laoag Mayor Bryan Alcid. By Dominic B. dela Cruz, Staff reporter Laoag City —The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division has “dismissed with finality” the election protest filed by former Laoag Mayor Michael Marcos Keon against elected Laoag Mayor James Bryan Alcid. Alcid was happy that the Comelec dismissed the protest filed by the former mayor. “Maragsakan tayo tapnu metla maka traaho tayon iti husto ked ere-deretso with no hindrances ,” the mayor said. City government administrator Atty. Ed Von Cid, in an earlier interview, confirmed the dismissal of the case filed by Keon against Alcid. Cid said he received via email the certificate of finality and entry of judgment regarding the election protest. According to Cid, the mayor has no plan to “counter” the former mayor rather the mayor said it is time to move on since the final result has been declared, and politicking should be over now. He added that since th...

By Dominic B. dela Cruz,  Staff reporter Laoag City —Guided by this administration’s tagline, “Alisto, Asenso, Progreso,” Laoag mayor James Bryan Q. Alcid presented his 1 st 100 days accomplishment for the city of Laoag.   Charity Begins At Home The mayor’s first half day of work became a signal for change that everyone should start to work and deliver the beginning of fulfilling promises which he immediately signed Executive Order No. JBA 001-2025 institutionalizing the tagline “Alisto, Asenso Progreso” as the general approach to local governance for his administration and to be adapted by all departments aligning their programs, projects, and services. The mayor likewise issued Memorandum JBA 2025 No. 001 for the City Assessor’s Office and City Treasurer’s Office for the implementation of Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act that resulted to a collection of PHP4 million and saved around PHP8,000 for the fines and penalties those who were unable to...

By Dominic B. dela Cruz, staff reporter Laoag City —Following the painting of the Laoag City General Hospital (LCGH) and the Laoag City Public Market for free courtesy of Pacific Paint (BOYSEN) Philippines, another paint company, Davies Paint is also donating paints amounting to around PHP4 to PHP5 million for the free “uniform painting” of all the 80 barangay halls in this city and the LC Aurora Park. Laoag Mayor James Bryan Alcid confirmed this after representatives from Davies Paint already signified their intention for the painting of all the barangay halls and the Aurora Park. The mayor said that these paints will be distributed equally to all the barangays with an off-white color, additional colors will be agreed upon later. “ Nakapinpintas dagitoy a libre a proyekto appo aglalo awan bayadan iti city government renewable pay every three years. Kayat na saoen agi donate da kada tallo a tawen ,” the mayor said. In a random interview with the punong barangays, they all ...

By Dominic B. dela Cruz, Staff reporter Laoag City —In a flavorful and festive showcase of Ilocano culinary pride, SM City Laoag successfully served 1,150 pieces of Ilocos empanada in what is now hailed as the largest empanada serving in Laoag City. The record-breaking event was one of the highlights of the SM City Laoag's Food Fest 2025, drawing in hundreds of mallgoers and food enthusiasts. The event transformed the SM City Laoag Event Center into a vibrant hub of aroma, culture, and live performances, as empanadas were freshly served on a sun-shaped platform symbolizing the “Sunshine City’” To create this feast, organizers used a staggering 1,150 eggs and approximately 40 kilograms of Ilocos longganisa, staying true to the authentic Ilocos empanada recipe that generations of Ilocanos have come to love.   A community effort The historic feat was made possible through the joint efforts of the following key partners: Department of Science and Technology (DOST); Departm...