The Ilocos Times

By John Michael Mugas PGIN-CMO The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) is opening more than a thousand slots for Ilocano out-of-school youth (OSY) and students through its two summer job programs, according to provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO). Ilocos Norte Governor Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos, who launched the Task Force Trabaho in 2012 to aggressively bring in more jobs for Ilocanos, seeks to further develop the “soft skills” of students and OSY through these programs, saying, “While the quality of our students is undoubted, they lack work experience and the so-called “soft skills”—teamwork, resourcefulness, problem solving.” PESO Officer-in-charge Ann Marie Lizette Bitancor revealed that the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) is set to roll out its application process beginning on February 22 up to March 4. The SPES applicants, aged 15 to 25, should submit the following requirements at PESO located at i-Hub, Ilocos Norte

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY — Driftwood curtains, hydrophonics, fresh and organic upland and lowland vegetables and a wide selection of abel handwoven cloth, and quality processed food products and handicrafts shine at the ‘ Tiendaan ni Gob ’ agro-trade fair which opened on February 8 at the Dap-ayan Center, this city. Produced by micro, small and medium entrepreneurs from the 21 municipalities and two cities here, this year ’ s agro-trade in time for the 198 th foundation anniversary of Ilocos Norte on February 2 continue to attract local buyers and visitors who are curious about the latest product craze in the province. “ There are new products that we saw such as the display of Nueva Era and Dumalneg towns. Talaga namang rumarampa ang ating mga IP (Indigenous Peoples), ” Ilocos Norte Governor Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos said as she toured around and bought some products display at the booth exhibits representing the best and unique products

Performers during the cultural show held at the MMSU-CTE Social Hall on Feb. 17, 2016. They are composed of officers and members of GUMIL Oahu namely: Gladys Mae Menor, Divina Menor, Mr. and Mrs. Rizal and Mila Fernandez, Mr. and Mrs. Eddie and Nena Bueno, Atty. and Mrs. Rafael and Elizabeth Alimbuyogen and Jun Bermisa. (Lei Adriano) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Filipino migrants from the island paradise of Hawaii found their way back home to promote Ilocano culture as they entertained students through songs, dances, poetry and theatrical play rolled into one.  Held at the social hall of the Mariano Marcos State University-College of Teacher Education in Laoag City, Gladys Mae Menor, president of the Calayab Association Hawaii Chapter who served as guest of honor during the 12 th GUMIL (Gunglo Dagiti Mannurat nga Ilokano) Ilocos Norte Convention and Literary Seminar on February 17 said it’s always been an honor to give back to the Ilocanos back home

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter CURRIMAO, Ilocos Norte — Environment advocates in the province of Ilocos Norte failed to rescue hundreds of trees massacred at Brgy. Paguludan to give way to a 60-hectare solar power field, the largest so far in Luzon. In time for the kick-off rally of Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. with his running mate Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago who are running for the country ’ s top two posts, the first grid -connected solar power farm in the province was inaugurated on February 9, attended by local officials here. Funded by Soleq Philippines Inc. in cooperation with the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte through a co-development agreement, the 20-megawatt solar power farm is expected to power up some 26,000 households or at least 50 percent of the province ’ s power requirement for clean energy. “ This is something the Ilocos Norte should be proud of because we continue to reduce our environmental footprint through

Germany provides an additional €5 million to support to joint effort MORINGA  seedlings at a tree nursery in the highlands of Tanzania, part of an FAO project to strengthen farmers' capacity to cope with climate change. (FAO) Paris —A United Nation Programme working to help countries include climate-related risks in national planning and budgeting processes—especially those that affect the agriculture sector - is getting an additional €5 million in support from the government of Germany, bringing the country's total backing for this work up to €15 million. Through the recently established  Integrating Agriculture in National Adaptation Plans programme , FAO and UNDP are working with ministries of agriculture, environment, finance and planning in Nepal, Kenya, the Philippines, Thailand, Uganda, Uruguay, Viet Nam and Zambia. The aim is to strengthen local technical skills in the use of climate risk management strategies, adjust planning and budgeting processes to inc

A Laoag City Government worker vaccinating a dog at Brgy. Bengcag on July 14, 2015.  (Alaric A. Yanos) Mizpah Grace G. Castro PGIN-CMO The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) through the Provincial Rabies Control Council (PRCC), in partnership with the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) and international organization Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), has eradicated rabies cases for two years, and intends to file for a national “rabies-free province” declaration within this year. Rabies is a viral disease that causes acute inflammation of the brain in humans and warm-blooded animals, with dogs being the most commonly involved. Early signs include fever and tingling at the bite site, usually followed by violent excitability, a fear of water, paralysis in some parts of the body, or loss of consciousness. Once symptoms appear, the disease is nearly fatal. They usually show one to three months after the bite. A rabies free area refers to places with n

ONE of the fallen NLREC towers in Pasuquin (Frances Kristy Alegre photo) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter PASUQUIN, Ilocos Norte—Two transmission towers of the North Luzon Renewable Energy Corp. were bombed on Thursday night, February 18. Pasuquin Mayor Peter Felix Aguinaldo confirmed this on February 19 following reports from nearby residents in the mountainous barangay of Tadao, about 25 kilometers from Laoag City. According to residents, they felt like there was an earthquake at about 9:30 pm February 18 but they did not bother to see what was going on outside their residence. In the morning, they found the fallen adjacent line towers connecting the wind farms in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.  of press time, local authorities here are still investigating the incident which they theorized was done by a bomb expert.   Investigators added that improvised explosive device were recovered in the area including fragmentations, surgical masks, batteries, firing wires,