The Ilocos Times

Laoag City --The city government here is set to grant financial relief to displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are registering new business here. The approved measure was sponsored by Laoag councilor Handy T. Lao in connection with RA No. 11494 also known as the “Bayanihan Recover as One Act ” which provides that “the State shall establish mechanism to reduce the adverse impact of COVID-19 ion the socioeconomic well-being of all Filipinos through the provision of assistance, subsidies and other forms of socio-economic relief”. According to Lao, there are several OFWs from Laoag who lost their jobs, work or employment abroad during the COVID-19 either through “end of contract”, termination, resignation, dismissal, or other mode of termination that needs financial relief in registering new business during the year 2021. The urgent measure further states that the displaced OFWs shall submit proof of work or employment abroad, notice of termination or any proof of terminat

  Laoag City —To support a wider demographic of residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) has created an emergency livelihood and employment program for Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs). Through the “IN na NEGOSYO sa KARITON ni Manong MATT” program, PGIN will provide a working capital of Php 2,000.00, a business cart or “ kariton” , and an entrepreneurship training to 50 qualified recipients. According to Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO) manager Lizette B. Atuan, the project will cater to displaced ROFs who will stay in the province for good. PESO will accept applications from August 17 to August 21, 2020. Applicants must first write a letter of intent to Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc, fill-out an application form available at llocos Norte PESO Facebook Page, and send it to ilocosnortepeso2020@gmail.com for assessment.   Chosen ROF-beneficiaries need to submit the following requireme

San Fernando City , La Union—As the “ Hatid Probinsya para sa mga OFWs” program continues to cater to returning Overseas Filipinos (OFs) to their provinces, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office 1 (OWWA RWO1) has strengthened its ties with different local government units (LGUs), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in various designated drop-off points in the provinces of Region 1. OWWA RWO1 is still implementing the said program in full-force 24/7 at Urdaneta TPLEX Entrance/ Exit for Pangasinan, Rosario Checkpoint for La Union, Tagudin Checkpoint for Ilocos Sur and Sinait - Badoc Border Checkpoint for Ilocos Norte to accommodate all returning OFs including some locally stranded individuals (LSI). OWWA RWO1 is also closely monitoring with LGUs through their designated Migrant Desk Officers (MDOs) and to the next-of-kin (NOK) of the returning OFs for the immediate arrangements of their transportation. On the other han

  Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)  CNSSO  V/AFOC Area I Marionito F. Dela Cruz (center) receives the Special OFW Award for Community Service on behalf of his wife Elza Nagtalon Dela Cruz (awardee) who is presently working in Ireland. The award was given by the Roosevelt High School administrators during the General Alumni Homecoming 2020 Coronation Program and Gala Night held February 29, 200 at the Piddig Farmers Trading Center. Witnessing the awarding are the children of the awardee: Ramel, Meldrick and Melissa Jane with their families and friends. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Piddig , Ilocos Norte— "If you were born with the ability to change someone’s perspective or emotions, never waste that gift. It is one of the most powerful gifts God can give—the ability to influence”—Shannon L. Alder. The pride Ilocana Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Ms. Elza Nagtalon Dela Cruz of Class of 1975, received a Special OFW Awa

City of San Fernando , La Union—The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare 1 (OWWA RWOI) has started releasing cash assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the temporary travel ban in mainland China, Hongkong and Macao due to the Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease or 2019-nCoV ARD outbreak. The said cash assistance given to the affected OFWs was an immediate response of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and OWWA to the call of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to ease and lessen the burden of the would-be departing OFWs after the government has imposed the travel ban. OFWs in Ilocos Region affected by the travel ban are encouraged to visit the nearest OWWA RWOI Satellite Office in their provinces or at the Regional Office to inquire about the cash relief assistance. OFWs from nearby regions are also welcome at OWWA RWOI for their convenience. All documented OFWs, newly-hired or Balik-Manggawa, affected by the ban are c

San Fernando City , La Union—The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office I (OWWA RWOI) recently concluded the regional selection and awarding of the 2019 Model OFW Family of the Year Awards (MOFYA) wherein two families were named as this year’s Region 1 Model OFW Families. The awarding ceremony took place on October 3, 2019 in this city. During the awarding ceremony the family of OFW Pacita Calano Gorgonio of Dingras, Ilocos Norte for the land-based category while OFW Rey Gerdan Biteng and Family of Sta. Cruz Ilocos Sur for the sea-based, were declared as winners. Both families will be representing Ilocos Region in the MOFYA National Awarding to be held on December 5, 2019 at the Malacañang Palace. A total of five families were nominated for this year’s regional MOFYA, three for the land-based category and two for the sea-based category. Aside from the two winners, the other nominees were Jeffrey Dungca Javier and Family of Bangar, La Union who was awa

(Clockwise) Group pictures of MDOs from Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, La Union and Ilocos Norte. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office I gathered the Migrant Desk Officers (MDO) of Ilocos Region in the recently conducted 2 nd Regional MDO Congress held September 11-13, 2019 in Baguio City.   Centered on the theme , “MDOs as Catalysts of Change towards Migration and Development” , the activity aims to convene MDOs and enlighten and further hone their knowledge on migration and development as key personnel in their respective LGUs in promoting awareness on those topics that will pave way for better opportunities in their LGUs. The activity was divided into two activities—the seminar proper and the awards night, which highlighted the event. Guests, visitors and   officers who graced the opening ceremonies were Dir. Rosalia Susana S. Bahia-Catapang of OWWA’s Program and Policy Development Division (PPDD); Dir. Manuela N. Pena of OWWA Cordil

Laoag City —In coordination with the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) rolled out the OWWA Rebate Program (ORP) on September 25-27 at the Provincial Capitol Auditorium, this city. The OWWA Rebate Program is in compliance with Section 67, Rule IV of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 10801 which aims to recognize the long-time members through granting of rebates and financial assistance. Alongside the ORP, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas led a mobile Pre-Migration Orientation Seminar (PMOS) and Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS). OWWA granted assistance almost 40,000 qualified recipients in Region I alone. Beneficiaries received up to PHP13,000, depending on the total amount of contribution of the member-claimant. ( PGIN-CMO )

OFC leaders and members from Ilocos Norte (blue shirt), Ilocos Sur (red shirt), La Union (pink shirt) and Pangasinan (yellow shirt) join in the celebration of 24 th  Migrant Worker’s Day on June 7, 2019 at Fr. Burgos Gymnasium, Saint Louis College, San Fernando City, La Union. (OWWA) San Fernando City , La Union—The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office I (OWWA RWOI) recently celebrated the 24 th Migrant Workers’ Day or Araw ng Pasasalamat on June 7, 2019 at Saint Louis College in this city. More than 600 OFWs and dependents from Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan participated in the event. As one of OWWA’s institutional events and as a tribute to all the migrant workers, OWWA RWOI made sure that this year’s celebration will be successful with the theme, “Salamat sa tapang, sipag at pagmamahal mo, Kabayan”. The activity started with a thanksgiving mass officiated by Fr. Romeo Aquino Jr., CICM held at the Transfiguration

San Fernando City , La Union—Two OFW Family Circles (OFC) in La Union were the latest recipient of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s (OWWA) Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Pag-Unlad ng Samahang OFWs or Tulong PUSO. These beneficiaries are the Cabalayangan Overseas Workers Association in Bauang, La Union and Bannuar ti La Union Sitio Immayos Chapter in Sudipen, La Union. On March 18, 2019, OWWA Regional Welfare Office I (OWWA RWOI) headed by OIC Director Gerardo C. Rimorin awarded three units of motorcycle to the Cabalayangan Overseas Workers Association. Its officers lead by their president Milagros S. Gomez received the units with franchise as initial and partial grant for their transport service livelihood project with a total of Php 350,000.00. These units will not only be used as hired transportation means of residents from Cabalayangan but also in transporting the organization’s agricultural and poultry product to and from their barangay to town proper. On the ot

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter Vintar , Ilocos Norte—In time for the summer season, the municipal government here launched another extreme adventure activity in the north that will surely entice both local and foreign tourists. Measuring around 230 meters, the very first bike zipline in the Ilocos region is being managed by the Vintar government led by Mayor Larisa Foronda. Located at Sitio Bucana in Brgy. Parparuroc, or about eight kilometers from downtown Laoag City, Mrs. Foronda hopes this latest tourism attraction in her hometown will awaken the town’s tourism potentials and bring in more livelihood opportunities to the locals. During the launching, provincial government tourism head Aianree Raquel has lauded the efforts of Vintar officials and those behind the realization of the project, offering something new for first time and returning visitors in the province. “We’ve seen and always know that Vintar has a very strong potential in terms of

Manila —Multinational forces began humanitarian and civic assistance projects as part of exercise Balikatan 2019 on March 12, 2019. Philippine, U.S., and Australian forces attended ground-breaking ceremonies for the renovation of three elementary schools in Orani, Bataan Province; Pangil, Laguna Province; and San Juan, Batangas Province as well as a health clinic in Moncada, Tarlac Province. Construction projects, health engagements, and community relations events will take place to improve local infrastructure, teach lifesaving medical skills, and strengthen ties between Philippine communities and Philippine, U.S. and Australian military forces. The events are a preparatory part of this year’s Exercise Balikatan, which officially takes place from April 1 to 12, 2019. Balikatan is an exercise between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States, and also involves participation from Australia.   Balikatan is a Tagalog phrase for “shoulder-to-shoulder,” whi

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—The People’s Republic of China is bent on improving its English proficiency level as it continues to invite English-trained professionals from the Philippines to share its expertise in China. Through the newly-created Chinese Desk under the Office of the Ilocos Norte Governor, Kenny Lim bared plans to bring interested English trainers from the province to teach Chinese learners in China. Edwin Cariño, head of the Sustainable Development Center of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte confirmed this as he said they are currently in preparing the establishment of a language training center specializing in English education. “This is another good news to all Ilocanos especially those who are seeking for employment opportunities abroad,” said Mr. Cariño as he cited Chinese nationals engaged in hotel and restaurant services need to improve their English language communication skills. According to the 2017 English P

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —The new majority in the Sangguniang Panlungsod here has disapproved the proposed Laoag City 2019 budget during a special session on January 3, 2019 with a vote of 7-5. “Nakakaskas-ang ngarud appo ta naayaban dagitoy maseknan a department heads ken personalities a kayat a pagdamagan dagiti kameng iti konseho ngem saan met a na maximize iti presence da”, Laoag vice Mayor and presiding officer Franklin Dante Respicio said. Prior to the voting, city accountant Edgar Pascual, city budget officer Angeline Castro, city social welfare and development officer Aurora Corpuz and the Laoag City General Hospital accountant Karen Joy Acosta were invited for further inquiry regarding the income and expenditures of said hospital. Mr. Respicio said that they should have continued the conduct of the session until the next day without adjournment so that they would have had a continuous discussion until all the concerns wou