The Ilocos Times

Laoag  mayor Michael Keon along with several members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by Laoag vice mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas lead the distribution of the PHP12 million worth of agricultural inputs to all the 1,500 combined farmers and fisher folks associations in the city. (Doms Dela Cruz ) By Dominic B. dela Cruz,  Staff Reporter Laoag City —The city government here, by mayor Michael M. Keon, distributed   PHP12 million worth of agricultural inputs to farmers and fishermen in the city. According to Keon, he said he considers the agricultural sector as the most important sector in the city considering that it “provides food on the table”. This is the reason, he said he strongly supports the agricultural sector to ensure the constant food supply here in the city. The mayor believes that food will be one of the main issues in the future and he wanted Laoag to be a self-sufficient and the people to buy local and not imported food products. The mayor congratulated the city

The Laoag City delegation to Hawaii, headed by mayor Michael Keon and the 10 Sangguniang Panlungsod members pay a courtesy call to City and County of Honolulu chairperson and presiding officer Tommy Waters and members of the City Council. ( Photo courtesy of MMK) By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Laoag City —City mayor Michael M. Keon led the city government’s delegation to the State of Hawaii this August as per invitation of Honolulu city council chairperson and presiding officer Tommy Waters. Waters, in his invitation, expressed his gratitude for the signing of the sisterhood relationship between Honolulu and the City of Laoag a few months ago held here in the city that resulted in the strong foundation for future collaborations. It was learned that Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Keon and Laoag vice mayor and Presiding Officer Rey Carlos Farinas signed the sister city agreement, renewing the two cities’ commitment to the prosperity of the relationship between them. A

  Laoag  Mayor Michael Keon along with officials from the PAG-IBIG Fund and Dept. of Human Settlements and Urban Development conducted an on-site inspection at the construction site of EL Sands Residences at Brgy. 31 Talingaan to personally oversee and monitor the progress of the project. The Phase I of the project is on track to be finished by the end of August this year. The project comprises a total of six buildings, with Phase I alone boasting 100 units that will soon become homes to many individuals and families in need of low-cost housing. Accompanying the mayor is Elliot Louis McLoughlin, the Chairman of EL Construction & Development Group, Inc.; Randy Halasan, Director IV of the 4PH Project Management Office; Engr. Sherwin Patanao, 4PH Regional Focal Person; Herald Alinao, Ilocos Norte 4PH provincial head and Engr. Chris Jason Caccam with city engineer Engr. Marishel Batuac and city planning and development coordinator Ruby Ann Bunalade. (Doms dela Cruz )

Laoag City —SM Supermalls, in partnership with the provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN)-Public Employment Services Office, the Dept. of Labor and Employment, and Jobstreet by Seek conducted a job fair titled, “Trabaho para sa Super Pinoys” at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena, Laoag City, on June 25. In preparation of the upcoming opening of the new SM Laoag City, the said job fair offered over 600 employment opportunities. It served as a platform for the participants to engage with industry professionals, and to explore a wide range of positions, from entry-level roles to professional careers, offering options for those looking to enter or re-enter the workforce. Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc led the ribbon cutting at the event, emphasizing the importance of maximizing the benefits of this new partnership, “We have to make sure na ma -maximize po natin ang mga benefits sa ating kakailian . We should think of our people first, secondly, our environment,

LAOAG  Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas is the only legislator of Ilocos Norte that joined the National Movement of Young Legislators (NMYL) trip to Sennan City, Osaka, Japan from May 7-11, 2024.  Fariñas had the chance to propose for partnerships with the international agencies on their possible projects that might be feasible for the City of Laoag for adaptation. On the first day,  they discussed the roles of embassies and consulates in the foreign countries and the styles on diplomacy, constitution and laws as presented by Voltaire Mauricio. After which, the group visited the Osaka Prefectural Government and discussed the Osaka Expo 2025. The second day featured the discussion on data science and other topics from Japan for the Philippine Tech Leap represented by Professor Renzo Tan. Professor Neriza Sato, meanwhile, discussed the possible areas of engagement with Filipino-Japanese Community since she has been part of the Philippine Community Coordinating Council in Japan. The group al

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 facilitate the ef

  The City Veterinary Office spearheaded by Dr. Samantha Licudine, city veterinarian, conducts a veterinary medical mission at the Brgy. 25 Multi-purpose Hall. This initiative was part of the Rabies Awareness Month celebrations last March and was a collaborative effort with the City Agriculture Office, led by Engr. Sheila Marie Opelac, TopBreed, represented by Richard Agustin, Regional Sales Manager North Luzon, Regional Veterinary Quarantine Service, Ilocos Norte Provincial Veterinary Office, and various veterinary practitioners in the city. The event offered essential veterinary services, including anti-rabies vaccinations, deworming, consultations, treatments, and the spaying/neutering of dogs and cats. It was learned that the city government is planning to establish a dog and cat pound which aims to reduce rabies incidents and potential road accidents caused by stray animals. The city government of Laoag also distributed 17 pigs from the animal breeding station to various recipien

By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Laoag City —The city government here will grant financial incentives and recognition certificates to bona fide residents of the city who excelled in either the bar or board licensure examinations and declared as topnotchers by the Supreme Court of the Philippines or the Professional Regulation Commission. Article 14, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, provides, that, “The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all”. Article 2, Section 17 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution likewise provides, that, “The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development”. Records show that the city government has an existing ordinance giving cash incentives to honor/d

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 Philippine

  MR.  Laoag ABC 2023 and newly crowned Mister Teenager Universe 2024 Lloyd Figueras receives a Plaque of Congratulations from Laoag Mayor Michael Keon and a “Resolution of Commendation” from the city’s Sangguniang Panlungsod represented by PCL National President Handy Lao. By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Laoag City —For the first time in this city’s history, a Laoagueño won this year’s Mister Teenager Universe 2024 pageant held in Bali, Indonesia. Lloyd Figueras, Mr. Laoag ABC 2023, represented the country in the prestigious universal search. Figueras, in his courtesy call and speech to the city hall particularly during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod said, he felt “overwhelmed with gratitude with the unwavering support the city government bestowed upon him throughout his journey in the pageant world”. He stressed that the encouragement given by the people of Laoag has been his “wind beneath his wings” in pushing him towards this remarkable experien

By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Laoag City —In time for the Laoag City Pamulinawen Festival 2023, the city government here has reopened the operation of the Laoag City Sports Complex, otherwise known as the Laoag City Cockpit Arena, situated at Brgy. 1 this city on Jan. 27, 2023. On the Jan. 4, 2023 regular session, Laoag councilor Atty. Jason Bader Perera sponsored an urgent measure coming from Laoag Mayor Michael M. Keon asking for an authority to issue a special permit to Engr. Jofrey B. Felipe for the conduct of cockfighting derby at the LC Sports Complex on Jan. 27 and Feb. 1, 2023. The council gave the requested authority, and on Jan. 26, 2023, Keon and Laoag Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas led the blessing and the re-opening of the Laoag City Sports Complex (LCSC), a day before the formal opening which was attended by new management headed by Felipe, several members of the city council and business establishment owners that will be operating during the cockfighting

By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Laoag City —In a move to help avoid future wide-scale flooding in the province and with the effect of typhoon Ineng in 2019 still fresh on everyone’s minds, the provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) along with four government agencies officially launched Phase 1 of the Padsan River Restoration Project through a ceremonial dredging in Metro Gabu, this city, on Dec. 15, 2022. PGIN, through the Provincial Quarry Office, has been collaborating with the Depts. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and DENR’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), as well as the official contractor, He Sha Prime Sand & Gravel Aggregates Philippines Inc., to conduct vital research, studies, and campaigns for the project. Present during the ceremonial dredging were Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc, Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, regional d

By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Laoag City —As the closed-circuit television (CCTV) system has proven effective on both deterring and solving crimes, the Sangguniang Panlungsod here amended City Ordinance No. 2020-054. The amendment expands the coverage of its application, requiring a minimum specification, number and location of CCTV installation, and regulating the examination, duplication and recording of CCTV footage along with penalties of violations. Laoag councilor Jason Bader Perera, who authored the ordinance said the ordinance shall now include business establishments with a capital lower than PHP500,000, and on their own discretion may install a CCTV security system in accordance to their needs. Bader added that this include all restaurants and carinderias, irrespective of the amount of their capitalization, that are serving alcoholic beverages to the public. The amended ordinance also includes all privately owned educational institutions and dashboard ca

By Dominic B. dela Cruz  (Staff Reporter) Laoag City —Elected barangay officials in this city who had served for three consecutive terms in the same position will soon receive cash incentives from the city government. Laoag councilor Jason Bader Perera made this announcement after the Sangguniang Panlungsod unanimously passed a measure to this effect. Perera, who authored the said ordinance, explained that the incentives are for the barangay officials’ being in the frontlines in the delivery of basic services, maintenance of peace and order as well as other government services. He added that despite the work they give and provide, they receive “insignificant benefits”, and low honoraria, instead of regular salaries. Perera cited Section 458 (a) of the Local Government Code which empowers the Sangguniang Panlungsod to enact ordinances and appropriate funds for the general welfare of the city and its inhabitants pursuant to section 16 of this code. Section 393 of the same cod

By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Laoag City —To keep up with the increasing demands of local governance, the city government here has created various positions in its different offices. Laoag councilor Juan Conrado Respicio said that it is an imperative to create various positions in different office. Section 76 of Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the “Local Government Code of 1991”, states that “Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern—Every local government unit shall design and implement its own organizational structure and staffing pattern taking into consideration its service requirements and financial capability, subject to the minimum standards and guidelines prescribed by the Civil Service Commission.” Section 458 paragraph (a) (1) (viii) of the same code also provides for the power of the Sanggunian Panlungsod to determine the positions and the salaries, wages, allowances and other emoluments and benefits of officials and employees paid wholly or mai

By Dominic B. dela Cruz  (Staff Reporter) Laoag City —The city-owned cockpit arena will soon to resume operations after the Sangguniang Panlungsod of here allowed its resumption for two years on its present location. Laoag councilor Jason Bader Perera said that the decision to reopen the arena is based on the amended part of the zoning ordinance which states: “A cockpit may be established in open agricultural areas providing a 100-meter radial distance from residential, commercial, institutional and educational uses, and in compliance with existing national laws, to, “a cockpit may be established in a commercial area providing a 20-meter distance from residential, commercial and institutional uses and 100-meter radial distance for educational uses and if it is an open agricultural area then a 100-meter radial distance from residential, commercial, institutional and educational uses, and in compliance with existing national laws”. During the discussion, Perera cited a jurisprudenc

Newly installed BIR-Ilocos Norte District Officer Marilou Sapungan fields questions from the local media as she announces that the Laoag City-Ilocos Norte district office has reached its target collection for June—PHP135 million. ( Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Laoag City —Despite the COVID-pandemic, newly installed Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)-Laoag District Officer Marilou G. Sapungan announced that they reached their PHP135 million target collection for June. She added that she hopes they will also reach their PHP142 million target collection this July, or an increase of PHP7 million from last month. The Ilocos Times learned that target collection for the Laoag District for 2021 is PHP1.8 billion; and Sapungan is hopeful they will realize this with the help of taxpayers here who usually pay their obligations “promptly and honestly.” To reach this goal, Sapungan said they will strictly implement the district’s plans and programs including the