The Ilocos Times

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...

  Laoag  councilor Justine Chua presents his measure urging all barangays in the city to establish a registry of animal raisers, which was later unanimously approved by all members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod present during the said session. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz, Staff reporter Laoag City —For more effective supervision and control of animal population, the city government of Laoag has urged all barangays in the city to establish their respective registration of animal raisers. Laoag councilor Justine Clarence Chua said the measure aims to conduct an annual animal inventory of all pets, livestock, and poultry production to the Office of City Veterinarian. Chua, who sponsored the measure, said this is in connection with Section 17 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, which mandates all Local Government Unit (LGUs) to provide agricultural extension and veterinary services, which include livestock and poultry ...

Laoag  Mayor James Bryan “Alisto” Alcid solemnizes the marriage of 30 couples during the 1 st  ever “Alisto 'I Do' Wedding Expo” held at the Laoag City Multipurpose Court on September 19, 2025. ( Doms dela Cruz ) By Dominic B. dela Cruz,  staff reporter Laoag CIty —The city government here, under the leadership of Mayor James Bryan “Alisto” Alcid conducted its first “Alisto ‘I Do’ Wedding and Event Expo” held at the Laoag City Multipurpose Court from September 17-19, 2025. On day 1, Alcid led the opening and ceremonial ribbon cutting of the Wedding and Event Expo where displays of events coordinators’ and suppliers’ booths featuring wedding gowns, cakes, giveaways, and other related wedding needs were established. Other food products from other merchandizers were likewise displayed t5o5 the public. On day 2, dubbed as “The Power of Creative Expressions”, invited special guests presented their creations and new ideas for weddings and other events. Relative to th...

Laoag  Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( staff reporter) Laoag City —Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Laoag unanimously approved a “one of a kind ordinance” called “Lead the way” ordinance promoting respect, discipline, and civic responsibility in all public and communal spaces within the city of Laoag. Laoag Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Rey Carlos Fariñas   said that it is the policy of the city Government of Laoag to promote and uphold the values of respect, discipline, and civic responsibility in all public and communal spaces, in alignment with City Ordinance No. 2024-034, otherwise known as the “Oplan Dalus Code”, in order to foster harmony, safety, cleanliness and community pride. “The City of Laoag, whose name in Ilocano means bright and is proudly known as the Sunshine City, embodies a tradition of community pride, cultural vibrance and strong civic values,” Farinas said. He added that respect, discipline, and civic res...

Laoag  councilor Jaybee Baquiran defends his measure during a regular session mandating the public telecommunications to install their cables underground. ( Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz (s taff reporter) Laoag City —The city government here is eyeing to mandate all public telecommunication facilities to install their cables or wires in a common underground cable passage. The 1987 Constitution declares that the State recognizes the vital role of communication and information in nation-building, while Republic Act 7925, also known as the, "Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines", also declares the policy that the fundamental objective of government is to develop and maintain a viable, efficient, reliable, and universal telecommunication infrastructure using the best available and affordable technologies, as a vital tool to nation building and development. Section 16 of the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160) states, among others, that every...

Laoag  Mayor James Bryan Alcid, with several members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, personally visits and distributes food packs to affected barangays and families as supertyphoon Nando lashes the city. By Dominic B. dela Cruz,  Staff reporter Laoag City —Supertyphoon “Ragasa”, locally known as “Nando”, left a trail of destruction in Laoag City after it lashed the city from September 22 to 23, 2025. Reports showed that significant damages to infrastructure and agriculture in the city’s barangays affected were reported and several residents were evacuated due to threats of storm surges and landslides. As of September 23, 2025, at 5:00 pm, reports indicated that damages on infrastructure has reached up to PHP37.8 million, which comprised PHP12.3 million for public buildings, and PHP25.5 million for roads and bridges. As to agri-infrastructure damages and losses, reports showed PHP49,432,667.50 damages which are broken down as: rice and corn damages in the amount of ...

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...

Laoag Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Rey Carlos Fariñas defends his measure regarding the city government of Laoag expressing its commitment to transparency, accountability and community consultation in the implementation of national infrastructure projects in the city of Laoag. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz, Staff Reporter Laoag City —The Sangguniang Panlungsod here expressed its “commitment to transparency, accountability and community consultation in the implementation of national infrastructure projects in the city of Laoag”. Section 1, Article XI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that, “Public Office is a Public Trust’. Public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people with highest standard of transparency, efficiency, and public trust;” Sections 2 and 27 of the Local Government Code of 1991 provides that it is the Policy of the State to require all national agencies and offices to conduct periodic consultations with a...

Laoag councilor Donald Nicolas defends his measure for a partnership between the city government of Laoag through the Office of the City Social Welfare and Development Officer (OCSWDO) and Parola Santuwaryo to be the city’s referral facility for girls, who are 8 and over 18 years old who are physically or mentally disabled and could not take care of themselves and are survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation and human trafficking in the province. (Doms dela Cru z) By Dominic B. dela Cruz,  Staff Reporter Laoag City —The city government of Laoag, through the Office of the City Social Welfare and Development Officer (OCSWDO) intends to partner with Parola Santuwaryo where it will become the city’s referral facility for girls aged 8 to 18 years old, who are physically or mentally disabled and could not take care of themselves and are survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation and human trafficking in the province. Laoag councilor Donald Nicolas said Parola Santuwaryo, Inc., has ...