The Ilocos Times

Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) has announced the availability of immediate financial assistance to businesses and individuals affected by Typhoon Kristine, reinforcing its commitment to helping rebuild communities and restore economic activity in hardly hit areas. Under the LANDBANK CARES Plus (Community Assistance and REintegration Support Plus) Lending Program, various sectors—including farmers, fishers, cooperatives, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), large corporations, and electric distribution utilities—can access financial aid to rebuild, restore operations, and recover from disaster-related losses. “LANDBANK stands ready to provide accessible, responsive, and immediate financial assistance to sectors severely impacted by the typhoon. We are fully committed to doing our part in helping our kababayans and communities recover from this adversity while accelerating recovery efforts,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. Eligible borrowers can

RELIEF ASSISTANCE. Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc leads the distribution of relief aid to evacuation centers in various parts of the province. ( PGIN) By Leilanie G. Adriano Laoag City —The provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), led by Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc, has distributed PHP55.8 million in rehabilitation resources to farmers severely affected by super typhoon “Julian,” which battered the province last month. The multi-million worth of hybrid corn seeds, assorted vegetable seeds, rice seeds, and fertilizers, is aimed at restoring crops in lands damaged by extreme flooding and destructive winds. This initiative follows a recent assessment indicating that the typhoon impacted over 195,000 individuals across Ilocos Norte, with damages and losses reaching nearly PHP1.1 billion as of the report from the Provincial Resiliency Council dated Oct. 7, 2024. A total of 16,789 farmers received the support package, with the goal of ensuring timely agricul

TYPHOON IMPACT. One of the two Chinese vessels that ran aground at the shore of Currimao, Ilocos Norte on Friday (Nov. 8, 2024) due to to strong winds and waves caused by Typhoon Marce (international name Yinxing). Both vessels are processing their conversion as domestic traders.  Photo courtesy of Currimao LGU Currimao , Ilocos Norte—Authorities are monitoring possible oil leaks from two foreign vessels that ran aground in the Currimao shoreline early Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, because of strong waves and wind brought by typhoon “Marce” (international name Yinxing) MV Aries 1 and LCT PanPhil 8 were anchored at the Currimao port but were dragged to shallow waters, Lt. Joseph Christian Sagun, station commander of the Philippine Coast Guard Ilocos Norte, said in a phone interview. Sagun said both vessels are from China but have all-Filipino crews. MV Aries 1, with five crew members, has been at the Currimao port for five months already. LCT PanPhil 8, with 15 crew members, arrived a

In response to disasters like severe tropical storm Kristine [international name Trami], Sen. Imee Marcos filed Senate Bill No. 186, which aims to create the National Resiliency and Disaster Management Authority. The said agency will focus on preparing, giving warnings, responding to and helping communities after calamities. “If we have a centralized authority for disaster management, we would be able to identify the most vulnerable zones and prepare properly against disasters,” Marcos said, calling for an agency that focuses on leading anything disaster-related. Marcos emphasized the lack of preparedness and coordination among provinces frequently affected by calamities, particularly in Bicol. “Bicol faces the Pacific, has an active volcano, and is subject to numerous accompanying threats, why hasn't a synchronized national response been established?” the senator questioned. The victims of severe tropical storm Kristine complained about the power outage, inadequate genset i

Solsona  Mayor Joseph E. de Lara (left) and former punong barangay and businessman Charles Curameng (right) gear for a possible mayoralty showdown in Solsona for the 2025 midterm elections. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Solsona , Ilocos Norte—Former punong barangay and businessman Charles Curameng is set to throw his hat into the mayoralty race against incumbent Solsona Mayor Joseph E. de Lara in the upcoming 2025 national and local midterm elections. Curameng formally announced his candidacy for mayor in a bid to continue his public service and helping his constituents not only in Brgy. Laureta but the whole town of Solsona With just one term as barangay head, Curameng admitted that he needs more knowledge in the field of public governance and he added that he is willing to learn. He stressed that he decided to run primarily to help the people who are in need and see some priority projects that need an immediate attention like the construction and

INCOME BOOST. Bureau  of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources personnel distribute 50,000 tilapia fingerlings to members of indigenous people (IP) community on Tuesday, (Sept. 17, 2024) in Adams town, Ilocos Norte province. This is part of the Hapag Katutubo (indigenous table) project to empower IPs for inclusive growth. ( Photo courtesy of BFAR Ilocos Norte) By Leilanie G. Adriano Adams, Ilocos Norte —About 500 members of the indigenous peoples (IPs) community in this town look forward to harvesting more tilapia and catfish from their communal bodies of water and its aquaculture technology demonstration project. This, after the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Region 1 provided them a total of PHP300,000 worth of livelihood assistance. Nestled atop mountains, Adams is located approximately 108.3 kilometers north of the capital city of Laoag. With less than 3,000 residents, it is home to one of the indigenous peoples’ (IP) communities in northern Luzon, the Yapaya

City of Batac —The provincial government of Ilocos Norte, in partnership with the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMHMC), conducted a medical mission in the City of Batac, Ilocos Norte, from Sept. 19 to 21, 2024. SGH is the largest acute care tertiary hospital in Singapore, with over 50 clinical specialties, emphasizing patient-centered care and comprehensive healthcare services, and is a leader in medical education and research. The medical team from Singapore was comprised of renown orthopedic, hand, and plastic surgeons, as well as senior nursing and allied healthcare staff. Surgeries performed included hip and knee replacements, arthroscopic procedures for both the shoulder and knee, as well as complex upper limb and facial reconstructive surgeries. Over the years, PGIN, under the leadership of Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc, has continued to focus on improving the province's health system by part

Laoag City —Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc delivered his third State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Oct. 8, 2024 at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena, urging global Ilokanos to return to their roots and invest in their homeland. The event was attended by more than 8,000 audience, comprised of provincial officials, local chief executives, representatives from national government agencies, non-government organizations, barangay officials, sectoral representatives, and leaders from various communities. In his address, Manotoc began by acknowledging the challenges posed by the recent onslaught of super typhoon "Julian," which caused widespread devastation across the province. Despite this, he emphasized the resilience of the Ilokano people, stating: "It is during our most challenging moments that we prove to you that we are a provincial government you can depend on. Sa gitna ng kalamidad, matatag ang mga Ilokano. Naandurtayo !” As the address prog

REELECTION BID. Ilocos Norte 1st Dist. Rep. Ferdinand Alexander "Sandro" Marcos  files his certificate of candidacy for a second term at the Commission on Elections provincial office in this city on Oct. 7, 2024. (Leilanie Adriano) By Leilanie Adriano LAOAG CITY—Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, the eldest son of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., formalized his reelection bid with the filing of his certificate of candidacy at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial office in this city on Oct. 7, 2024. He was accompanied by his parents, the President and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, along with his cousin, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc, and other relatives and supporters who cheered for him upon arrival at the provincial Comelec office. His second term bid is expected to be unopposed after defeating former Ilocos Norte first district Rep. Ria Christina Fariñas. Backed by the current administration and the different mayors of Ilocos Nort

BBM RICE. Residents buy rice for only PHP29 per kilo at the NIA compound in San Nicolas town, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. The activity was under a nationwide pilot program of the government to sell quality and affordable rice initially to the vulnerable sectors. (Lei Adriano) San Nicolas , Ilocos Norte —Senior citizens, persons with disability, and solo parents availed of cheap rice sold at PHP29 per kilogram during the grand launching of the Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) Rice held at the National Irrigation Administration compound in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. “ Maraming salamat Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa inyong pagmamahal sa Region 1 lalong-lalo na sa bayan namin sa San Nicolas,” said Violeta Pasion, a resident Brgy.   18 Bingao in this town. The low-priced grains were sourced from the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) contract farming with irrigators' association members in the province. Along with Pasion, Epi

INTERNET CONNECTIVITY. Personnel of the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the  Ilocos Norte provincial government on Aug, 29, 2024 discuss the implementation of GovNet in the cities of Laoag and Batac. GovNet aims to provide a transparent, efficient, and effective governance through the use of online connectivity among government agencies. (Photo courtesy of Ilocos Norte province) By Leilanie G. Adriano LAOAG CITY—The provincial government of Ilocos Norte is currently upgrading its internet connectivity through the PHP21 million funding from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to implement the Government Network (GovNet) to 85 government agencies here. DICT is implementing GovNet to help address the basic needs of the government for transparency, efficiency, and effective governance through ICT. Under the program, DICT is responsible for providing the actual Fiber Optic Cores and the other peripherals that are necessary for e

The Dept.   of Trade and Industry (DTI) has issued preliminary orders and preventive measures to suspend the trade of several vape brands while a formal investigation is ongoing. The vape brands facing trade suspension are: SHFT & DR FREEZE (manufacturer Shenzhen Adwell Technology Co. LTD, importer SHFT Electronic Gadgets Trading OPC); AEROGIN & DON BARS (manufacturer Genome Flavor Technology, importer Aerogin Electronics Corporation Consumer Trading); CHILLAX (manufacturer Shenzhen Wimei Electronic Technology Co., LTD., importer SHFT Electronic Gadgets Trading OPC); BLACK ELITE (manufacturer Shenzhen X Black Vape Technology Co. LTD., importer Jey 888 Trading Corporation); LOST MARY (manufacturer ZCREW International, Inc., importer   Dongguan Airv Technology Co., LTD). This action is in response to the formal charges filed against these brands for violating Section 4(d) of Republic Act (RA) No. 11900, or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act. The

Manila —The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines will open a new Visa Application Center (VAC), launch an updated visa appointment system, and expand call center services to U.S. citizens in the Philippines starting on Sept. 28, 2024. The new VAC will be located at Parqal Building 8, Level 3, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd., Brgy. Tambo, Parañaque City. Immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants seeking interview appointments starting Sept. 28, 2024 will be required to schedule a separate appointment at the VAC for photo capture and fingerprint scanning prior to their interview at the US Embassy on Roxas Blvd.   Scheduling will be done through the new and redesigned online appointment system. Applicants who have scheduled a visa interview before Sept. 28, 2024 will not be affected by this change and should proceed directly to their appointment at the Embassy. The new online appointment system will feature a secure and user-friendly interface for visa applicants and will be available on Sept.

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

LMB-IN Chapter President and Sangguniang Panlalawigan Ryan John Pascua ex-officio member (top left) leads the Ilocos Norte delegation in the 2024 National Congress held at SMX Convention in Pasay City with the LGU San Nicolas delegates (bottom). Special guest Senator Imee Marcos (top right) discussed and personally presented her proposed Senate Bill 2629 extending the term of barangay and SK Officials from 3 years to 6 years. (Photo by Jenalyn Bumanglag) By Dominic B. dela Cruz.,  Staff Reporter Pasay City—A total of 492 members of the Liga Ng Mga Barangay (LMB) Ilocos Norte Chapter headed by Brgy.   Badio, Pinili punong barangay (PB)   and Sangguniang Panlalawigan   Ryan John Pascua attended the 2024 National Congress held in SMX Convention Center, Pasay City from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1, 2024. The national congress with the theme “Liga ng Mga Barangay: Powering up in our service for others”, focused on crucial topics which aim to eradicate gender-based violence under Republic Act 92

Paolo Bediones By Dominic B. dela Cruz, Staff Reporter San Nicolas , Ilocos Norte—A member of the Marcos clan and a television personality has announced his intention to run for this town’s mayoralty post. Paolo Barba Bediones, a popular television host face the local media in this town saying he returned to San Nicolas to reactive his voter’s registration at the local Commission on Elections office as he has failed to vote the past two elections due to his work and to announce his plan to enter politics. The Ilocos Times learned that there was a time when the name “Bediones” was floated to run for office but it did not push through because, according to him he was not yet ready then. ‘ ’Kailangan po handa tayo hindi lamang po sa mental kundi ang buong pagkatao at kinailangan ko din ayusin at iyong mga puwedeng tapusin sa showbusiness dahil more than two decades din iyun at sa pagka broadcast journalist din. Nag aral din ako ng Masteral on Entrepreneurship at Asian Institu