The Ilocos Times

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) here declared on February 29 the 2016 budget of the Solsona town government as invalid in view of its top three local officials who continue to perform their duties and functions amidst a six-month suspension order signed by Ilocos Norte Governor Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos. Upon recommendation of the provincial board, Ms. Marcos suspended Solsona Mayor Jonathan de Lara, Solsona Vice Mayor Joseph de Lara and Solsona senior Sangguniang Bayan member Edison de Lara since December 10 for grave abuse of authority but they all refused to step down from their respective positions. The de Laras are banking on an alleged ‘stay order’ the Office of the President issued on the same day the suspension order was served but until now, the SP have yet to receive an official copy of the said document, if any. “It’s very unfortunate that the people of Solsona have to suffer because of this

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Batac City —With barely three months left to prepare, the City Schools Division here is in the thick of preparation for the full implementation of the new senior high school curriculum. Division superintendent Vilma Eda said the registration for the senior high school officially started on January 30, 2016. The early registration, she explained, will give them an idea on the number of teachers and rooms would be needed. They will also have a peek at the number of students. Ms. Eda added that they would not limit enrollees for the senior high school since they have contingency plans ready with the assistance of the city government here. She also disclosed that they would also accept enrollees from outside Batac. For now, they expect all 920 Grade 10 pupils from both public and private schools to enroll. Initially, they targeted 36 teachers for the senior high school; this however would still need approval from the Dept. of Ed

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Batac City —The city governments of Laoag and Batac are both eyeing the top award in the annual search for the Cleanest, Safest and Greenest (CSG) city in region I. National Economic Development Authority representative Maryjane Cacanindin made this statement after evaluating Batac for the regional search. Laoag and Batac will represent the province in the component city category. Of the nine cities in Region I, Ms. Cacanindin said that they only validated seven as Candon and Vigan, both in Ilocos Sur, failed to join the search due to ongoing projects and the rehabilitation of their respective dumpsites. Laoag was earlier evaluated in December of last year. The Regional Development Council (RDC) Performance Awards has five categories: CSG province, cities, municipalities in the 1 st to 3 rd class and 4 th to 6 th class and the inland bodies of water. Ms. Cacanindin said they look into two major criteria. They are env

Manuel B. Abalos, an ice cream vendor from Barangay 40 Balatong, assisted by his wife and son receives the plaque of recognition from Laoag Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas as one of the Outstanding Laoagueños for 2016 in the field of micro entrepreneurship. The awarding was held February 27 at the City Hall Auditorium. Other awardees are Eliza Samson, Ed.D (higher education); Delia Baquiran (community service); Romeo Joseph Ignacio (medical technology); Pedro Bartolome (agriculture); Antonio Dela Cruz (finance and corporate services); Sherween Cabrales (music and arts); Esmeralda Baldonado (research); Miriam Ramones (nursing); Oscar Recta (government service); Joel Remigio (elementary education); Lynn Bautista (macro entrepreneurship); Antonio Gerardo (medicine); Rev. Fr. Carlito Ranjo Jr. (religious service); Cherrie Melanie Diego, Ed.D. (higher education-administration); Ronaldo Tan (environmental concerns); Cecilia Aribuabo, PhD., CESO IV (basic education) and Atty. Emerito Salva (law).

By Cherry Joy D. Garma PIA BATAC CITY—Teachers can now access e-books, researches and lecture materials under the new mobile application that the Batac City Schools Division recently launched. The mobile app designed for android phones is one of the division’s top banners this year as it continues to promote the utilization of information and communications technology (ICT) in the academic arena. “Our division is one of the few, if not the first, to have a mobile application like this,” John Paul Viernes, learning resource management officer, said. Upon visiting the application, the user is provided with complete information about the schools and heads including their contact details. Because it is a technology-based instructional material, teachers can gather appropriate and well-evaluated learning resources that can aid them in the teaching-learning process in just one click. Vilma D. Eda, schools division superintendent, said the app is the answer to

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—To ensure the continuity of the Ilocos Norte government’s “Task Force Titulo” (TFT) program, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is seeking an ordinance to institutionalize the program’s long-term implementation. Over the last four years, TFT, formerly known as “Titulo a Natalged” [Secure Land Title) program has helped hundreds of Ilocanos obtain their land titles on alienable and disposable lands they have been occupying for a long time. Created through Executive Order 50-11 issued by Ilocos Norte Governor Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos, lawyer Erme Labayog, head of the Provincial Assessor Office and at the same time, the current Provincial Legal Officer of Ilocos Norte said that to help more Ilocanos secure their and properties, there is a need to ensure the continuity of service. “The EO (Executive Order) expires once there is a change of administration. With an ordinance, this ensures continuity of the program even if ther