The Ilocos Times

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 ...

  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 ...

On  September 27,2025, Office of the Civil Defense Regional Director Laurence E Mina with his team visited the municipality of Pagudpud to conduct post assessment of the impacts of supertyphoon “Nando” wherein this municipality was one of the most affected in Ilocos Norte. Pagudpud Mayor Rafael Ralph Benemerito joined the team for the post assessment. (LGU Pagudpud photo) By Dominic Dela Cruz ,  Staff reporter Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte—For the first time in the history of this town, a widespread flooding was experienced affecting 1,343 houses, which was almost the entire municipality, went under water as supertyphoon “Nando” lashed the province from September 22 to 23, 2025. Pagudpud Mayor Rafael Ralph Benemerito said “Nando” brought violent winds and torrential rains that marked the beginning of its devastation of the entire municipality. Reports showed that strong winds uprooted trees, toppled electric posts that caused widespread power outages. Torrential rains likewis...

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...

Batac  Mayor Markee Chua and the city project management implementing unit presented and defended their proposed project to RPAB 1 for a  class “AA” slaughterhouse that will soon rise at Brgy. Colo in the City of Batac. The project designs, plans and other requirements were prepared by engineers and personnel from various departments of the city government, which the Regional Project Advisory Board 1 (RPAB1) approved \after its deliberation on August 20, 2025. The facility will be built under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Scale-Up and is expected to ensure safe and efficient meat processing, strengthening consumer safety in the city. (Photo courtesy of Batac CMO) By Leilanie Adriano CITY of Batac —The Regional Project Advisory Board 1 (Ilocos) has approved a modern slaughterhouse project in this city , under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Scale-Up, paving the way for its construction. Worth approximately PHP166.6 million, the constructi...

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 ...

  Laoag Mayor  James Bryan Alcid signs Executive Order No. JBA 001-2025, adopting the tagline “Alisto, Asenso, Progreso” for Laoag City with the assistance of newly appointed city administrator Atty. Ed Von Cid. ( Photo courtesy of Laoag LGU) By Dominic B. dela Cruz,  Staff Reporter Laoag City —The new administration in this city unveiled a new tagline, ““Alisto, Asenso, Progreso”. The new tagline became effective after new Laoag Mayor James Bryan Q. Alcid signed Executive Order No. JBA 001-2025, adopting the new tagline. The neophyte mayor said the new tagline reflects the direction of the new administration in building a government that is responsive, progressive, and committed to serving all Laoagueños anchored on “Alisto” [alert and quick to respond], “Asenso” [growth and improvement], and “Progreso” [inclusive development]. In addition, Alcid likewise approved and signed two memoranda: “Implement Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act” (RPVA...

NEW Laoag Mayor. New Laoag Mayor Bryan Alcid takes his oath along with other elected and reelected officials before former Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Manotoc at the Centennial arena.  By Dominic Dela Cruz,  Staff Reporter Laoag City —New Laoag City Mayor James Bryan Alcid formally took his oath of office administered by outgoing Ilocos Norte Governor Mathew Joseph M. Manotoc during the Inauguration Ceremony of all the newly elected officials in the entire Province of Ilocos Norte held at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena on June 14, 2025. Highlighting the ceremony was the official turnover of leadership of Manotoc passing the Provincial Mace to incoming Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos as a symbol for the formal transfer of position followed by the administering of oath with the provincial higher officials down to the municipal/city officials. The former governor administered the oath of office of all the 23 newly elected mayors including Alcid, pledg...

Laoag City —The SM Supermalls will give free access to movie screenings at their cinemas for senior citizens (SC) and persons with disabilities (PWD) exclusively for the city of Laoag City as an initiative not only to promote inclusivity and accessibility but also to enhance the overall well-being of these individuals for entertainment and social engagement. Laoag Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas, the brainchild of the said program announced this after the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Laoag government represented by outgoing Laoag Mayor Michael M. Keon and Fariñas, and the SM Supemalls officials,   represented by SM Cinema SAVP. Karen C. Zabaljaurequi and North 1-SM Supermalls Regional Operations Manager Rona B. Correa held June 23, 2025 at SM City Laoag.   After the MOA signing, several SC’s and PWDs who also attended the MOA signing, had the chance to watch a movie right after the program. Fariñas said that SM Cinema will allow SCs and PWDs to ...

Top Row (L–R): Badoc Mayor-elect Virgilio Calajate and Provincial Treasurer Josephine Prieto-Calajate with Ilocos Norte Governor-elect Cecilia Araneta-Marcos; Mayor Calajate delivering his inaugural address; the JVC Family joining virtually from Hawaii. Middle Row: Mayor Calajate with his family. Bottom Row: Newly elected Badoc officials with Governor-elect Araneta-Marcos and Mrs. Calajate. (Photos by Ronald Macatulad/Coverlook) BADOC, ILOCOS NORTE—Surrounded by family, supporters, sectoral representatives, and fellow public servants, Virgilio M. Calajate was formally sworn in as the new mayor of Badoc in a solemn ceremony held on June 30, 2025 at the President Ferdinand E. Marcos Auditorium. The event marked a significant political transition for the historic town of Badoc, which prides itself on its cultural heritage, coastal resources, and a citizenry deeply rooted in faith. Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos administered the oath of office. At his side during the oa...

  Gandang Buntis ng Batac 2025 . The City Government of Batac, under the leadership of Engr. Albert D. Chua, launched an inspiring initiative to promote awareness about maternal health, wellness, and the joys of motherhood held on May 29, 2025, the City Health Office-Maternal and Child Health Care (Lying-in) Clinic spearheaded the “Gandang Buntis ng Batac 2025” pageant—an event dedicated to celebrating the beauty, strength, and resilience of expectant mothers in our community. This program aimed to raise awareness about maternal and child health, encourage healthier pregnancies and deliveries, and foster a more inclusive, supportive environment for all mothers-to-be. The pageant featured nine participants from various barangays, each showcasing not only grace and confidence but also the inspiring journey of motherhood. The top three winners were awarded cash prizes of ₱10,000, ₱7,000, and ₱5,000, respectively. In addition, five minor awards were presented to deservin...