The Ilocos Times

( Senator Lorna Regina “Loren” B. Legarda’s keynote speech during the Zero Waste Youth Convergence on 7 January 2015 at Philippine Normal University in Manila ) Much has been said about the resilience of the Filipino people to immediately rise up disaster after every disaster. However, the threat of natural hazards and extreme weather events to the survival of our communities requires us to match this strong spirit with the ability to act fast and act resolutely not only after disasters strike, but even in anticipation of natural hazards and extreme weather events. It is no longer an issue of how we are able to respond to calamities, but rather, how we try to deter or minimize disasters from happening, especially now that extreme weather events are “the new normal”. What is more alarming is the fact that various statistics have identified the Philippines as among the world’s most vulnerable to natural hazards. The recently released Global Risk Index 2015 showed that among

IN October of this year in the Vatican, the 14 th ordinary general assembly of the synod of bishops will take place with the aim of discussing about the vocation and the mission of the family in the Church and in the contemporary world. We need to pray and offer a lot of sacrifices for this event that surely will have a significant impact on our lives. The theme is most relevant, but ironically, it is often taken for granted. As a result, many of us are not aware of the increasingly complicated duties and responsibilities in that crucial aspect of our life. In its working paper, called Lineamenta, the bishops are asked to highlight “the need for mercy in responding to difficult situations—even asking the bishops to avoid basing their pastoral care solely on current Catholic doctrine.” This is a very delicate step that demands a lot of prayers, sacrifice, study, consultation, etc., since the requirement of fidelity to the faith has to contend with the need for growth and a

4x4 adventure at the La Paz sand dunes in Laoag City (Photo courtesy of Tina Tan and LEAD) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Laoag City —Off-road vehicles carrying tourists seeking extraordinary adventure at the Ilocos Norte sand dunes will now subjected to stricter regulation to ensure the safety of tourists and at the same time protect this natural geological monument which has now become an additional livelihood for some local residents here. Edward Tabili, 40, of Brgy. Nagbacalan in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, said driving a 4x4 vehicle is much more exciting than driving a public utility jeepney or a passenger bus he used to drive. According to Mr. Tabili, driving thrilled passengers while they are screaming out loud on-board his yellow 4x4 vehicle owned by his employer is quite interesting as he also find excitement driving an off-road trail of the vast hilly sand dunes overseeing the West Philippine Sea. For every unit of 4x4 vehicle with about 4-5 passengers

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Laoag City —Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan here have initiated moves to revive the Ilocos Norte-Hawaii sisterhood ties to further promote tourism and allow Hawaiian-Ilocanos to rediscover their roots as part of the bicentennial celebration of Ilocos Norte in 2018. On Jan. 12, Draft Provincial Resolution No. 2015-01-087, requesting Governor-elect David Ige of the State of Hawaii in the United States of America to revive talks with their counterparts in Hawaii and the Ilocano community there to re-establish the sisterhood ties with the new set of elected government officials of Hawaii has been unanimously passed for first reading at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall. SP member Da Vinci Crisostomo, sponsor of said resolution jointly with Vice Governor Angelo Marcos Barba and the committee of the whole said the re-establishment of the sister state-province relationship hopes to encourage more Hawaiian-Ilocanos to redisco

TADEK 2015. Dancers from the different secondary schools present their own numbers showcasing their dance tradition and culture of “Tadek” during the 5 th  Centennial Countdown and Tadek Festival Year X Dance Parade held January 8. (Doms dela Cruz) Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida welcomes the visitors, guests and participants. Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Albert Chua served as the special guest in place of Rep. Imelda R. Marcos (Ilocos Norte, 2 nd  district).  (Doms dela Cruz)

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Batac City— Councilor Winet Quidang cited various factors that would impact this city’s economy negatively due to the Department of Education’s K-12 program. In a privilege speech, Ms. Quidang said the economic impact would begin to be felt two years from now. She stressed that she is not against the implementation of the new education program, which will put the country’s education system at par with global standards. However, she explained that the additional two years in basic education may become an additional burden for parents. She added that the K-12 program would also put pressure on the need to build new secondary school buildings as well as result in mass lay-off of instructors in the tertiary level. Ms. Quidang also cited the fact that there would be no incoming college freshmen for school year 2016-17 but college enrollees is expected to double dramatically by the school year 2017-18. She pointed out that

John Carlo A. Manabat, a scholar under the Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP) of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) was chosen as one of the delagates to the 10 th Parliament of Youth Leaders held May 15- 18, 2014 at the Manila Grand Hotel. Out of over 800 aspirants nationwide, only 218 applicants were named as delegates for the said event. John Carlo was one of the 12 chosen delegates in Region 1 who attended the said event. The Parliament of Youth Leaders is now on its 10 th year of drawing together youth leaders from all over the Philippines in which policy recommendations were drafted to deal with the issues and concerns of the youth. This also serves as government’s guide in youth policy formation and program development. John Carlo is also a qualifier for the 3 rd Philippine Model Congress, the largest legislative simulation conference in the Philippines that allows students to participate in  debates, assemblies, and plenary sessi