The Ilocos Times

With the implementation of the “Yakap Bayan” program, the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) can now fully assist drug personalities who surrendered to the government. DSWD Sec. Judy M. Taguiwalo explained during the recently held forum for those surrendered dubbed "Rehabinasyon" that Yakap Bayan is a rehabilitation and reintegration program for drug users and pushers who surrendered to the government which it will implement within the framework of the Department’s mandate as the head of the disaster response cluster of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). With DSWD as the lead, it implements Yakap Bayan in partnership with different government agencies. The program consisting of graduated interventions, primarily aim to create community leaders out of the former drug dependents. Under the program, the persons concerned will undergo rehabilitation, empowerment and reintegration within the communities. The program will

LAOAG CITY—A Special Investigation Task Group investigating the June 3 killing of Marcos mayor Arsenio Agustin is a step closer to identifying the suspect. The Ilocos Norte police crime laboratory released its DNA examination result which showed that DNA samples extracted from a toothbrush matched those collected from cigarette butts, drinking water and energy drink bottles found at the crime scene. The police stressed that whoever owned the toothbrush “probably had a hand in the killing”. The police, however, requested not to divulge the suspect’s identity. A report from the police community relations office led by P/Chief Insp. Dexter Diovic Corpuz also states that at least 14 witnesses who saw the assassination had already filed their sworn statements. ( Leilanie G. Adriano )

LAOAG CITY—A home care facility for the aged will soon rise in San Juan, La Union courtesy of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office. The facility’s initial construction phase budget of PHP12 million and will be located Sta. Rosa de Lima St. Ili Norte. It will cater to the needs of abandoned, ailing senior citizens and those neglected by relatives due to financial difficulties. DSWD asst. regional director for administration Nora D. Dela Paz said the proposed home for the elderly in Region 1 is “a long-awaited dream now being turned into a reality with the help of the national government”. After its completion, the regional office said they will prioritize abandoned, neglected, unattached, homeless and abused senior citizens. Meanwhile, DSWSD Region I operations and programs division chief Benjamin Baldo disclosed that the lot was located and identified more than 20 years ago but it is only this year that the national government approved its funding.

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City— The elections officer in this city expects the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections to push through this year. Atty. Julius Balbas made the statement in view of rumors that a postponement of the said elections will happen again. “As far as Comelec is concerned, matuloy ti election gapu ta addan appo iti calendar of activities a sursurotentayo ken awan met pay inbaba iti Kongreso or from the Office of the President a saan a matuloy ti election,” Mr. Balbas said. He stressed that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is continuing with the preparations for the October 23, 2017 elections. He said the Comelec calendar of activities, through Comelec Resolution No. 10177, has already came up with prohibition periods leading up to the elections. In this city, Mr. Balbas said they have conducted applications for registration from November 7, 2016 to April 29, 2017. He disclosed that their offic

PAOAY, Ilocos Norte—Residents in the flood-prone villages of this town may no longer need to seek refuge in public schools in times of typhoons and other calamities following the start of construction for a 2-storey evacuation center at Brgy. Callaguip here. With the project pegged at Php 3.4 million, the center sits on a 3,000-square meter public lot can house about 1,000 evacuees. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) funds the project while the local government here owns the lot. In response to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s order to avoid using public schools as evacuation centers during natural calamities so as not to disrupt classes, DPWH regional firector Ronnel Tan during his recent visit to Paoay on said the President tasked them to construct more evacuation facilities around the country. The planned evacuation center will feature modern house amenities, including kitchen, restrooms, bedrooms, dining rooms and a social hall and a functional Civil Defe