The Ilocos Times

  By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter Paoay, Ilocos Norte —Thirteen personnel of a private firm based in Metro Manila along with 150 environment science students of Mariano Marcos State University planted 700 narra and molave saplings at the Paoay Lake National Park on January 17, 2020. With a team of forest rangers from the Environment and Natural Resources Office who assisted the participants, Atty. Paolo S. Teston, partner of M and A Associates said it always feels good to be close to nature after their daily grind in the metro. “As we work in the law firm, we attend to hearing and meet with clients. I remember joining tree planting activities way back in college that was long time ago. With the eruption of Taal Volcano and with the current environment crisis around the world, it reminds us to do our part for the environment,” said Mr. Teston. Through the initiative of Atty. Liza Araneta-Marcos, wife of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, t...

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter Paoay, Ilocos Norte —Improper waste disposal has worsened flooding problem in this town as tons of debris clogged a waterway connecting Brgys. Pannaratan and Cayubog. The local government unit here led by acting Mayor Romulo Acdal conducted the removal of plastic trash and debris using a backhoe. During heavy rainfall, low lying areas in this town are flooded because it serves as a catch basin of floodwaters from its neighboring Batac City. Following an ocular inspection at the flooded barangays where local officials witnessed the tons of garbage that clogged the creek, Mr. Acdal has appealed to all concerned residents to dispose their trash properly. One of the concerned residents Lily Guieb said she is a witnessed how people carelessly throw their garbage everywhere and it may have contributed to flooding. “It’s sad to note that there are heartless and irresponsible people who just throw their garbage that clogged our ...

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter Paoay, Ilocos Norte —The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Region 1 served on the morning of July 4. 2019 the dismissal order against newly elected Paoay Mayor Jessie Galano. Mr. Galano was not in his office when Atty. Patrick Estillore, DILG Region I regional legal officer served the order signed by DILG Regional Director James Fadrilan. Meanwhile, the DILG has directed Vice Paoay Mayor Romulo Acdal to assume as the new mayor, by the law of succession. Pursuant to a July 1, 2019 memorandum of DILG Secretary Eduardo Año, it states that they will still enforce decision that dismissed and suspended local elective officials who ran, won and proclaimed as winners last May 13, 2019 elections. Mr. Galano was one of them, with the DILG citing a January 31, 2018 decision from the Ombudsman, dismissing him from service. Up to now, Mr. Galano has failed to secure a favorable relief pending an appeal at the Supreme ...

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Paoay, Ilocos Norte —The Dept. of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Ilocos Norte Engineering District (INED) II advised that the construction of the Sawang Bridge replacement in this town is still ongoing. DPWH-INED II district engineer Mathias Malenab said the PHP30 million first release of the Sawang Bridge fund began in 2017 and continues up to present. He is hoping the additional funding for its completion will be released soon. He estimated the additional funding at less than PHP20 million. The bridge construction was delayed by the transfer of powerlines from the old, existing bridge to the new bridge. DPWH has completed the said transfer. He explained that the 45-meters bridge is located just beside the old Sawang Bridge, which is still operational and open to small type of vehicles. Earlier, DPWH-INED II temporarily closed the said bridge from 9 am to 5 pm on April 16, 2019 to launch the 40 meters type VI pre-stres...

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Paoay, Ilocos Norte —On November 19, 2018 birdwatchers from various parts of the country witnessed the return of the great cormorant, a migratory bird known for its matted feathers. The 387-hectare Paoay Lake National Protected Landscape is a feeding point for migratory birds. Since the first launching of the first return of the great cormorant festival in 2008, local birders led by Dr. Petrus Calope, also a member of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP) frequent the lake’s view deck at Brgy. Nagbacalan in this town for a chance to see the great cormorant along with other bird species at the landlocked lake. Through Dr. Calope’s initiative, in cooperation with the local government unit of Paoay and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, bird watching in the province has slowly gained popularity, attracting local and foreign enthusiasts to visit the legendary lake. Starting the month of November, bird wa...

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Paoay, Ilocos Norte —Major transactions of the local government unit here remains paralyzed as of press time following the expiration of a 60-day temporary restraining order the court issued to halt the dismissal of Paoay Mayor Jessie Galano. Since September 10, 2018, some government employees have started to complain about the delay in receiving their salaries as piles of documents due for signature and processing are stocked at the mayor’s office. Paoay Vice Mayor Eileen Llaguno-Guerrero confirmed this in an interview as the Department of Interior and Local Government has not issued any directive so far regarding the mayor’s case. “Based on our inquiry at the DILG provincial office, there is no order yet from the regional and central office. As a result, all important transactions at the Paoay government remain pending for approval at the Mayor’s Office,” said Ms. Guerrero. On June 21, 2018, the Court of Appeals granted ...

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Paoay, Ilocos Norte —The Court of Appeals issued a 60-day temporary restraining order against the dismissal of Paoay Mayor Jessie Galano. Armed with the seven-page copy of the TRO dated June 21, Mr. Galano faced the press on saying he is just waiting for the Department of Interior and Local Government to serve the TRO to all concerned parties. On June 14, the DILG served the dismissal order from the Office of the Ombudsman against Paoay mayor and his municipal administrator, Bruno Dumlao for grave abuse of authority, gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct and serious dishonesty. “This is just a trial on the part of the Paoayeños. What happened was just a simple neglect of duty and not corruption. It was procedural in nature and I thank God for helping me extend my public service,” said Mr. Galano. CA Associate Justice Stephen C. Cruz penned the TRO and concurred with by CA Presiding Judge Romeo F. Barza and Associate Justic...

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Paoay , Ilocos Norte—Famous for its dragon boat festival, the Peoples Republic of China donated two units of dragon boats to the local government unit of Paoay in support of its growing water sports activities at the legendary Paoay Lake here. Dragon boat race has become popular at the 87-hectare Paoay Lake Natural Park since its inception last year when the Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragon Boat Federation in partnership with the municipal government here organized the first-ever dragon boat clinic in the province to promote paddling sport to the younger generation. With young individuals, mostly students aged nine years old and above lured into this sports program, Paoay mayor Jessie Galano said the new dragon boats donated by the Chinese government through the Chinese Consulate Center based in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte “will go a long way for the training of young athletes.” “We are thankful for the donation of two uni...

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—A travel company based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is set to explore the famous Paoay sand dunes of Ilocos Norte for possible tourism investment partnership. Rolly Galzote of the Ilocos Norte ’ s Investment Office (INvest) said the Royal Blue Tour, an international travel company that provides a one-stop travel solutions to tourists will arrive in the province on February 26 to conduct ocular inspection at the sand dunes of Paoay. INvest is the investment promotions and small business development arm of the Provincial Government. According to Mr. Galzote, the Dubai company visit is a “big deal” for Ilocos Norte as talks are on-going for the company to pour in some investments here. Since 2010, the provincial government in cooperation with the Palafox Associates has designed a Metro Ilocos Norte tourism masterplan where investors are welcome to partner with local government units h...

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Paoay, Ilocos Norte—Police raided the farm house of former Paoay mayor Dolores Clemente at Brgy. San Roque village in this town on February 8, 2018. Armed with a search warrant operation, personnel of the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office and the Paoay police led by P/Insp. Grandeur Tangonan found various firearms in some cottages within the compound. In a radio interview, the 68-year old widow of Bonifacio Clemente, also a long time Paoay mayor, she explained that her late husband was the name registered for the recovered firearms and she was about to transfer them under her name. “ Nagulat po ako dahil bigla na lamang silang pumunta. Walang problema kasi lisensiado naman ,” said Mrs. Clemente, citing she has license to carry and possess firearms. But while on the process of searching all the cottages made up of light materials, the police further recovered several loose firearms. In view...