The Ilocos Times

Laoag City —For the first time, the city of Laoag has emerged as a national winner in the 51st Gawad Saka Parangal sa Natatanging Magsasaka at Mangingisda, earning recognition at the Department of Agriculture ’s annual search for outstanding contributors to the agriculture and fisheries sectors. Held June 29 at the Philippine International Convention Center, the Gawad Saka awards honor farmers, fisherfolk, agricultural workers, extension managers, local government units and other partners whose work has helped strengthen food security and rural development across the country. Laoag’s national victory marks a milestone for the city’s agri-fishery sector. City Agriculturist Sheila Marie Opelac said Laoag submitted six entries this year, three of which advanced to the national finals: Outstanding Corn Farmer Geoffrey Santiano Pascual , Outstanding Agricultural Extension Manager Sheila Marie N. Opelac , and Outstanding Local Government Unit, Laoag City. She said the city’s finalist...

Laoag City —The Laoag City government’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) has stood by its disqualification of Northpoint Alliance Motors Corporation (NAMCO), the losing bidder in the city government’s PHP92-million procurement of 80 vehicles, despite the company’s protest. In its letter addressed to Laoag Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Farinas, NAMCO said it was disqualified without its sealed bid being opened, allegedly on the ground that one of its owners is a provincial board member. The company argued that the official does not directly or indirectly influence the decisions and funding of Laoag City. NAMCO also questioned the BAC’s specifications, saying they appeared tailor-made for a particular brand and that the winning bidder failed to meet three requirements, which it said should have resulted in a failed bidding. It added that the winning bid amounted to PHP91.16 million, compared with NAMCO’s PHP83.98 million offer, or a difference of PHP7.18 million that it said could have been us...

Laoag City —The 13 th Sangguniang Panlungsod of Laoag has approved an ordinance granting holiday-with-pay benefits to job order (JO) and contract of service (CoS) workers of the city government, citing the constitutional right to health, the Mental Health Act, and related civil service issuances. The proposed measure, titled “Holiday with Pay Benefit of the JO and CoS Workers of Laoag City,” seeks to extend to JO and CoS personnel a benefit similar to the wellness leave granted by the Civil Service Commission to government workers under Resolution No. 2501292 and Memorandum Circular No. 01, Series of 2026. The ordinance also cites Republic Act No. 4622, which provides for the payment of regular daily wages to government laborers and employees during special public holidays. Under the ordinance, all Laoag City Job Order and Contract of Service workers, regardless of length of service, are entitled to holiday leave with pay during regular, special and local holidays, except those as...

By Dominic B. dela Cruz;  Staff reporter Laoag City —The city government here is urging all 80 punong barangays to intensify awareness, prevention and response measures against leptospirosis to reduce infections during and after heavy rains. Laoag Councilor Justine Clarence Chua reminded barangay officials that Laoag’s frequent tropical cyclones and prolonged rainfall increase the risk of waterborne diseases transmitted through floodwaters and contaminated soil, including leptospirosis. He described the disease as a serious bacterial infection that can cause high fever, jaundice, kidney failure, meningitis and death, and warned that even a few cases can burden local health services and families. The City Health Office reports four confirmed cases since July 2025, including two from Barangay Bengcag and two fatal cases from Barangays 6 and 46. Chua said barangay health workers, working with punong barangays, are key to early detection, reporting, education and referrals that e...

  Laoag Mayor James Bryan Alcid meets with barangays tanods and barangay officials headed by Laoag ABC President Rbee Ablan, Schools Division Superintendent Joan Corpuz, chief of police Lt. Col. Ryan Retotar and CDRRM officer Dr. Melvin Manuel for a stricter implementation of peace and order both in public and private schools in the city to avoid crimes and other illegal activities that might occur. ( Photo by Mr. Larry Pedralvez) By Dominic B. dela Cruz,  Staff reporter Laoag City —To ensure public safety and protect residents from crime, the city government of Laoag has asked Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police, to deploy 106 additional police personnel to meet the ideal 1:500 police-to-population ratio and bolster security across 80 barangays and 64 schools. Laoag Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas said Laoag covers 12,747.35 hectares and comprises 80 barangays, 40 public schools and 24 private schools, all of which require ade...

By Dominic B. dela Cruz.  Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—The Sangguniang Panlungsod approved PHP20.2 million for the Laoag City Sports Development and Tourism Promotions Project to host an international triathlon aimed at boosting employment, the local economy and tourism. The council authorized Laoag Mayor James Bryan Q. Alcid to enter into a multi-year contract with a qualified supplier/consultant for the project. Laoag Councilor Donald Nicolas, chairperson of the appropriations committee, said Republic Act No. 12009 (the New Government Procurement Act) allows multi-year contracts subject to Multi-Year Contractual Authority (MYCA) and Department of Budget and Management conditions. The MYCA’s total project cost will be the basis for the Approved Budget for the Contract. The city plans to fund the project over two years. It allocated PHP6 million through Supplemental Budget Ordinance No. 13-013-2026 (Series of 2026) and will include the remaining PHP14.2 million in the 2027 ann...

  Bureau of Learning Resources (BLR)Director IV Atty. Suzette T. Ganaban-Medina leads the inauguration and blessing of the newly established Schools’ Division of Library Hub with Laoag Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas , several members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and DepEd staff. More than just a book-filled building, the Library Hub shows SDOLC ’s dedication in giving learners and teachers better access to a wide-array of learning resources. It's meant to be a facility for reading, research, and life-long learning serving both present and future generations of learners. The blessing and inauguration ceremony marks the culmination of efforts from various partners and stakeholders who shared a common vision of creating a learning environment where curiosity can flourish and opportunities for growth are within reach thru the leadership of Laoag Mayor James Bryan Q. Alcid, by providing the parcel of land through usufruct agreement. (Photos by Larry Pedralvez )

Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, with Laoag Mayor James Bryan Alcid and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by Laoag Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas, leads the 61 st Charter Day celebration of Laoag City on June 19, 2026. Also shown are two coasters, ambulances, advanced life support ambulances, e-bikes, shredders, and nego karts distributed to concerned beneficiaries. (Photos by Larry Pedralvez) By Dominic B. dela Cruz, Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—The City of Laoag marked its 61 st Charter Day on June 19, 2026 with a celebration befitting its growth, as the city government under Mayor James Bryan Q. Alcid distributed a wide array of vehicles, equipment, and social services to Laoagueños as a gesture of gratitude and a fulfillment of promises made since he assumed office. The festivities opened with a “Diana Around the City”, followed by a thanksgiving mass at Aurora Park. The multi-awarded Samiweng Singers, performed a rendition of "Happy Birthday...

Laoag City —“As I transition from my role as the SK Federation President of Laoag City to take on a new responsibility as the Commissioner for Luzon of the National Youth Commission, my heart is filled with immense gratitude. This is not a departure from service, but a continuation of the work we have started—on a much broader platform’’. Outgoing Laoag City Sangguniang Kabataan Federated President and ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Michael Christophe R. Agustin announced following his appointment as National Youth Commission (NYC) Assistant Commissioner for Luzon. Agustin thanked every Laoagueño for their “trust, support, and shared belief in what the youth can achieve”. He also stressed his deepest gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for believing and granting him this incredible opportunity to serve the country’s youth on a grander scale. Profound appreciation also to everyone who became his rock, source of strength and inspiration. ‘’This journ...

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...