The Ilocos Times

By Bernardo B. Ver II Contributor Laoag City —The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region I office released an order lifting the “cease-and-desist order” issued to OMNICO Natural resources, Inc. (ONRI), together with the other 21 holders of industrial sand and gravel permits in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte. On August 15, 2019, the Environment and Management Bureau (EMB), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENRO) Ilocos Norte, DENR Bangui composite team conducted a joint evaluation to determine environmental compliance and other related concerns. Results found that the respondent is compliant to the environmental laws and has complete documentation of permits and certificates related to the existing requirements. The DENR issued cease-and-desist order against OMNICO due to alleged illegal quarry operations at the Padsan River in Sarrat on August 13, 2019.

By Bernard Ver Contributor Sarrat , Ilocos Norte—The municipal government here is ready to fully implement its zero-waste management after the completion of its advanced sanitary landfill. The landfill is located at Brgy. 20 (San Jose), this town. Sarrat Mayor Remigio B. Medrano said that the project is worth at least PHP8 million., which they sourced locally. He said they are still waiting for additional funding from the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources, which becomes the department’s counterpart for the funding. Mr. Medrano added that their landfill is equipped with a materials recovery faciliy. The said recycling machine converts recyclable waste into bricks and paper blocks, with the remaining organic waste converted into fertilizers. The advanced landfill project is first in the province. As part of the general public’s responsibility, they should segregate their wastes at the source before collection. A municipal ordinance on waste m...

The anniversary of the women’s club coincided with the 7 th  Binakol Festival of this town. Sarrat , Ilocos Norte—Gracing the 38 th anniversary of the Women’s Club Federation in this municipality on May 5, 2018, Ilocos Norte governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos encouraged the preservation and promotion of the town’s heritage loom-woven fabric, binakol . Over the past years, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) and the municipal government, in cooperation with various national agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), have started initiating activities that aims to revive the culture and industry of binakol weaving. Sarrat specifically produces binakol . It is one of the hand-woven fabrics produced in the province, together with the renowned abel Iloco produced in Paoay. Filipino designers have used both Ilocos Norte fabrics in making traditional clothing such as terno , m...

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Sarrat , Ilocos Norte—The municipal government here installed warning boards on the depths of the Padsan River to avoid accidents. This town’s part of the Padsan River is a favorite for picnickers this summer. Sarrat mayor Remigio Medrano said the warning boards primarily aims to prevent drowning incidents, especially for children who frequent the river this hot summer. Earlier, the Sarrat police reported a minor from Barangay 23, this town, who was drowned at the San Joaquin River Resort. Investigation showed that the victim along with three other cousins went to the river without their parents’ knowledge and they were not aware that the usually shallow river has a deep portion. In view of this, the municipal government put up several signages to prevent swimming in the area. Mr. Medrano also asked municipal employees and barangay watch people to help monitor picnickers in the absence of lifeguards.

By Bernard Ver Contributor Sarrat , Ilocos Norte—The local government here began enhancing its welcome arch. Former Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. was born in this town. Mayor Remigio B. Medrano personally checked on the project’s development on April 19, 2018. Mr. Medrano, an engineer, said he seeks to innovate their landmarks through advanced crafts that visualize Ilocano culture. He added that he wants to use century-old Hispanic styles by installing local bricks which he will associate with modern designs. In the Philippines, welcome arches are considerably the most noticed landmark of a certain place; a structure that welcomes the people upon entering a place and noteworthy for boundaries of different territories.

By Bernard Ver Contributor SARRAT, Ilocos Norte—This town’s rural health unit (RHU) of Sarrat and the provincial health office (PHO) conduct voluntary Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing in the town’s Tourism Hall on March 12, 2018. In observance of the International Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ( Aids ) awareness, the Department of Health together with the Ilocos Norte PHO conducted free HIV testing that included rural health units and social hygiene clinics in region 1. Trained healthcare professionals as well as counselors were stationed at the different HIV testing centers to ensure that testing process is done correctly. The public is encouraged to take part of the HIV testing but youth aged 18 and below should have consent from their parents or guardians before undertaking the procedure. Under Republic Act 8504, or the Philippines Comprehensive Prevention and Control Act of HIV-Aids, HIV testing should be don...

Sarrat , Ilocos Norte—Mayor Remigio B. Medrano ordered the preventive suspension of Sangguniang Bayan (SB) secretary Dennis Ribuyaco. The preventive suspension, according to the mayor, is to protect the municipal government, especially the SB’s integrity from Mr. Ribuyaco’s “misconduct.” The issue stemmed from an alleged existing Sarrat ordinance that granted permits to 22 quarry firms to excavate gravel and sand along this town’s Padsan River. The mayor apparently discovered that the official ordinance only granted permits to 5 of the 22 quarry firms. Mr. Ribuyaco was on leave when the suspension the police served the suspension order on November 17, 2017. ( Bernard Ver )

Sarrat mayor Remigio Medrano and Pagudpud mayor Marlon Sales. (Berong Ver) By Bernard Ver Contributor Manila —Sarrat mayor Remigio B. Medrano and Pagudpud mayor Marlon Ferdinand T. Sales graduated in the Agribusiness Executive Program of University of Asia & the Pacific (UA&P) on November 11, 2017. Dr. Rolando Dy, Center for Food and Agribusiness- ‎ University of Asia and the Pacific ‎ executive director administered the commencement exercises. A total 46 students completed the six-month Agribusiness Executives’ Program (AEP). UA&P conducted three-day classes every month, from Thursdays to Saturdays. The school designed the program to develop the managerial, analytical and strategic thinking skills of executives and managers in their own community in collaboration with agribusiness industry practitioners and experts. Both content and design are based on a comprehensive needs analysis and innovative design process done in collaboration with agri...

Sarrat , Ilocos Norte– The Department of Health (DOH) in coordination with this town’s rural health unit (RHU) provided free health check-up in 24 barangays here. Sarrat health officer Dr. Cheryl Rasalan-Laguatan said DOH funds the caravan and incorporated with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to help the unfortunate and sick villagers. In fact, most of the recipients are from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). The said project is in line with the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of the province of Ilocos Norte in maintaining health care and promoting clean environment for Ilocanos. ( Bernard Ver )

English: Map of Ilocos Norte showing the location of Sarrat (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Sarrat, Ilocos Norte—Town mayor Remigio Medrano guaranteed the distribution of loyalty cash award (LCA) for all municipal government employees here. Mr. Medrano said all Sarrat government employees will receive the cash award before the end of October. The municipal government allocated at least PHP 400,000 for the said award. This is based on Commission on Audit (COA) Circular No. 2013-003. As per the circular order the cash award is dependent on the years of service rendered in a local government unit (LGU) and detailed as follows: 10th year from P5,000.00 to P10,000.00; 15th year from P2,500.00 to P5,000.00; 20th year - from P2,500.00 to P5,000.00; 25th year - from P2,500.00 to P5,000.00; 30th year - from P2,500.00 to P5,000.00; 35th year - from P2,500.00 to P5,000.00; 40th year - from P2,500.00to P5,000.00 “This is good enough in acknowledging their [government employ...