The Ilocos Times

SEA BOUNTY. Tuna catch weighing 216 kilograms of Dilavo Fishermen Association in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte through lambaklad fishing. Lambaklad is being promoted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to boost the income of small scale fishermen. (Photo courtesy of Dilavo Fishermen Association) By Leilanie G. Adriano Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte—“Lambaklad”, an eco-friendly fish trap technology, has boosted the catch of Dilavo Fishermen Association (DFA) members from Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte since it was introduced in May 2023. With favorable weather on March 26, 2024, two of the group’s motorized fishing boats were loaded with tuna weighing a total of 216 kilos. “In behalf of the whole association of Dilavo Fishermen Association, thank you, Lord, for the blessings,” Eúng Ramos said in his Facebook post that showed the association’s catch for the day. Vanessa Abegail Dagdagan, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Ilocos Region (BFAR-1) senior aquaculturist, told The Ilocos ...

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter Pasuquin , Ilocos Norte—A little known historical marker located at Brgy. Puyupuyan in this town has become viral in social media after a photo was posted online of its new look. Some old Pasuquin residents claimed that after the rehabilitation works, they could hardly recognize the old watchtower built during Spanish colonial period due to its “modernized look”. “Restoration is very different from renovation. The historic value of the place has been lost. I hope this will not happen with the on-going restoration of our town’s bell tower,” said Edison Agcaoili, a concerned citizen from neighboring Bacarra town. Earlier, the local government unit of Pasuquin has called for the rehabilitation of the Puyupuyan watchtower, formerly used as outpost for sentinels tasked to warn residents of pirate attacks. In 2015, the structure was declared a “National Cultural Treasure” by the National Museum. The same government agency a...

By Bernardo B. Ver II Contributor Pasuquin , Ilocos Norte—This town’s mayor, Ferdinand ‘Kilo’ Aguinaldo continues to be a “no-show” at the municipal hall after his name was again included in President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s “narco-list”. Reports says that Mr. Aguinaldo was seen last om March 20, 2019 inside the municipal hall. But he reportedly stayed only for a short time and left in a hurry. This town’s municipal officials and employees claim they have no knowledge of the mayor’s whereabouts. Earlier, Mr. Aguinaldo was involved in a drug buy-bust operation in Metro Manila on July 8, 2016. He denied his involvement. Mr. Duterte, however, still included him on his “narco-list”.

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Pasuquin , Ilocos Norte—The clear blue sky on an early morning invites fisherfolks of Brgy. Davila here to venture out of the sea. Though their fishing boats were spared from typhoon Mangkhut’s [Ompong] destructive winds, it nevertheless washed away their “payaws”. “Payaw” is as an artificial fish sanctuary or fish-aggregating device to attract school of fish. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is distributing these fish aggregating devices to fishermen associations nationwide to increase their catch. Before the onslaught of Mangkhut , Pasuquin fishers were among the hundreds of recipients of livelihood fishing materials from BFAR. But all these were gone now as their payaws were washed out by the strong winds of Mangkhut, the strongest typhoon so far that hit the Philippines this year. Each payaw has a price of PHP100, 000. While trying to figure how to start all over again, Domingo La Torre said he is ...

The Pasuquin 4H Club with Sen. Cynthia Villar (Lei Adriano) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Pasuquin , Ilocos Norte—A youth organization in the farming barangay of Sulbec this town continues to inspire the agricultural community in its effort to help alleviate poverty in the countryside. On July 27, 2018, the 4-H Sulbec Pasuquin youth club received another award as one of the country’s outstanding youth organizations courtesy of the Villar SIPAG Youth Poverty Reduction Challenge. SIPAG is an acronym for Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance, a non-profit organization founded by its chairman, former Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., which aims to support projects geared toward helping less fortunate Filipinos break free from poverty. Grateful for the latest award, Crisner Lagazo , president of the 4-H Club in Sulbec received a trophy and a cash award worth PHP150,000. “We are so thankful for the award which will motivate us further to contin...