The Ilocos Times

  Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr., with the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) Director IV Julius Leaño alongside Ilocos Norte 2nd District Representative Angelo Marcos Barba, Vintar Mayor Richard Degala and Presidential Assistant for Northern Luzon Ana Carmela Remigio lead the launching of the Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Center (RYPIC) in Vintar, Ilocos Norte on July 3, 2026. The RYPIC is the first yarn production and innovation center in the Ilocos Region and the third in the country which marks a major step toward strengthening the local textile industry. The DOST continues to empower local weavers, textile producers, and entrepreneurs by providing access to science, technology, innovation, and modern production facilities. RYPIC now opens new opportunities for sustainable livelihoods while ensuring that the rich legacy of Filipino weaving thrives for future generations.  (Doms dela Cruz)

  Balangay award . Pagudpud Mayor Rafael Ralph Benemerito receives the Balangay Seal of Excellence Award as Drug-Cleared Municipality from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for being recognized as a Drug-Cleared Municipality. This achievement reflects the collective efforts of the LGU, law enforcement agencies, barangays, and the community in promoting a safer, healthier, and drug-free Pagudpud. (Photo courtesy of LGU Pagudpud)

  MORE AWARDS. Vintar Mayor Richard Agregado Degala receives two awards from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Sinagtala Award , and Timpuyog Award in a ceremony held in San Fernando City, La Union on June 11, 2026. The Sinagtala Award recognizes the mayor’s outstanding partnership and unwavering commitment bringing government services closer to Overseas Filipino Workers ( OFW ) and their families in Vintar. Through responsive governance and meaningful collaboration, LGU Vintar has served a vital bridge between OWWA RWO1 and local communities ensuring that programs, opportunities and assistance reach those in need. While the Timpuyog Award also recognizes the mayor’s exemplary commitment to promoting the welfare, protection and empowerment of OFWs and their families through responsive local governance and innovative public service. Through the mayor’s steadfast partnership with OWWA ROW1, LGU Vintar has strengthened family resilience, expanded opportunitie...

  Bureau of Learning Resources (BLR)Director IV Atty. Suzette T. Ganaban-Medina leads the inauguration and blessing of the newly established Schools’ Division of Library Hub with Laoag Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas , several members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and DepEd staff. More than just a book-filled building, the Library Hub shows SDOLC ’s dedication in giving learners and teachers better access to a wide-array of learning resources. It's meant to be a facility for reading, research, and life-long learning serving both present and future generations of learners. The blessing and inauguration ceremony marks the culmination of efforts from various partners and stakeholders who shared a common vision of creating a learning environment where curiosity can flourish and opportunities for growth are within reach thru the leadership of Laoag Mayor James Bryan Q. Alcid, by providing the parcel of land through usufruct agreement. (Photos by Larry Pedralvez )

  The local government unit of Nueva Era headed by Mayor Aldrin Garvida and Vice Mayor Caroline A. Garvida commemorated the 128 th Philippine Independence Day with a series of meaningful activities, highlighted by a community-wide clean-up drive along the Ilocos Norte-– Abra Road. The activities were also participated in by the Sangguniang Bayan members, municipal government employees, punong barangays, non-government organizations, and representatives from national government agencies. (Doms dela Cruz)

  Joining the Semana Ti Ar-Aria Parada Iloca-Ilocana parade of floats organized by the Ilocos Norte provincial government on October 31, 2025, the city government of Laoag headed by Mayor James Bryan Alcid (upper right photo) and wife Jojami Lei (upper left photo) in their “Briliante Ng Tubig” costume. Other local government units, government and private agencies also joined the parade in celebration of the All Saints/Souls Day 2025. (Doms dela Cruz) Laoag Mayor James Bryan Alcid and wife Jojami Lei in their “Briliante ng Tubig” attire designed by Amor Albano for the Semana Ar-Aria Parada Iloca-Ilocana parade held October 31, 2025, in celebration of the All Saints/Souls Day. (Photo courtesy of  Amor Albano)

The  Philippine Coconut Authority, in cooperation with the city government of Laoag, headed by Laoag Mayor James Bryan Alcid, plant 600 coconut seedlings in Barangay Navotas-B in this city. (Doms dela Cruz)

KMJ in Baguio . Barangay 11 San Fernando, San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte officials headed by punong barangay Dominic Dela Cruz pose with Baguio Vice Mayor Atty. Faustino A. Olowan and the members of the Baguio City council. The San Nicolas barangay council embarked on “a meaningful and enriching ‘Knowledge Management Journey (KMJ)’” to the City of Baguio on September 15, 2025. This activity aims to broaden the barangay council's perspective, strengthen their understanding on local governance and gain more valuable insights more on legislative practices. The barangay officials personally witnessed how proposed measures are being deliberated, how issues are addressed, and how final decisions are collectively reached in a democratic and systematic manner. (Photo by Rols Burgos)

  Laoag  vice mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas personally hands over 61 foam mattresses, acquired from his personal finances to persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-Laoag as earlier requested by Jail Warden Sheila Marie Sapaden. “Dagitoy ket regalok para iti panang selebrar da iti Valentines Day ta nakitak a saan da a komportable gapu ta daanen dagiti agdama nga us-usaren daken nangibati tayo pay bassit a pinagsasangwan da,” Fariñas said. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the Vice Mayor)

  The  City of Batac celebrated mayor Albert Chua’s birthday with the distribution of  farm machineries and equipment for select farmer beneficiaries held at the Imelda Cultural Center. Witnessing the blessing are Chua, members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by Batac vice mayor Windell Chua and the city’s department heads. The farm machineries and equipment distributed were 1,000 units of water pump; 1,800 rolls of irrigation hose; 500 units of 2-in-1 knapsack sprayer; six units walk-behind transplanter; 30 units of riding type hand-tractor; 30 units of multi-cultivator; 40 units rice reaper; 40 units hold-on thresher; two  units of amphibious vehicle; one water tanker; three garbage compactor; one manlift and two dump trucks. Chua said the funding for these came from the city’s RA 7171 share. ( Doms dela Cruz)

  Coconut week in Pagudpud . In celebration of the Coconut Week, the municipal government of Pagudpud, headed by mayor Rafael Ralph Benemerito together with the CPA, PNP, the Army, different cooperatives, employees of the municipal government and farmers planted an initial 200 coconut seedlings of the total 18,000 seedlings at Brgy. Kaparispisan in this town.  (Photo courtesy of LGU-Pagudpud)

  VERTEXT CARES. Vertext chief executive officer (CEO) and Smart Ilocos Norte sales operations manager Bjorn Lao hands over grocery items to Laoag barangay officials as part of VERTEXT CARES sharing blessings from the Lao family after super typhoon Carina.   Vertext Cares  has been operational and has been helping people and organizations in need for about a decade now which was launched during the time of Laoag councilor Handy Lao as Vertext CEO. (Doms dela Cruz)

  Pagudpud Mayor Rafael Ralph Benemerito and other municipal officials and department heads join the blessing of the newly acquired prime mover with boom crane of the Municipal Engineering and DRRM Office. The equipment is for the transport of heavy equipment and for rescue purposes for vehicles in road accidents. (Photo courtesy of LGU Pagudpud)