The Ilocos Times

Samar —The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines’ United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Health Deputy Chief Bryn Sakagawa led the inauguration of the newly constructed birthing and Tuberculosis Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course (TB-DOTS) facilities in Calbiga Rural Health Unit in Samar. Samar provincial board member Fe Arcales extended her gratitude on behalf of Samar citizens. “This facility will increase access to health programs and boost the morale of health personnel,” she said. Additionally, USAID provided medical equipment and communication materials on family planning, maternal and child health, and TB.  The TB-DOTS structures are among 12 health facilities constructed by USAID to restore access to health services across Typhoon Yolanda-affected areas. To date, the U.S. government has provided $143 million to help the Philippines respond to, and recover from, the devastating effects of Typhoon Yolanda.  “The U.S. government is a pa

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Residents here may soon have a fitness park designed for all-age groups or for a family that exercise together.  Catering to children, youth and adults including senior citizens, the first of a kind fitness park in the province is expected to be established near the flower clock of the Provincial Capitol building where it can be accessible to all. Initiated by senior Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc, the fitness park will cover a children’s playground, exercise equipment for adults, and picnic tables under the shades of trees. Next to Laoag City, other fitness parks are also eyed in the towns of Dingras, Badoc, Batac and Bacarra. According to Mr. Manotoc, who is the chairperson of the committee on youth and sports of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, more fitness parks will be established in various parts of the province next year to encourage residents to stay fit and exercise regularly fo

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter San Nicolas , Ilocos Norte-Municipal mayor Alfredo “Boying” P. Valdez announced that he had “fruitful” 10-day visit to the United States of America recently. His “fruitful voyage” netted him US$18,500 for the San Nicolas government and the Bin-I foundation. He related that on November 19, 2016, he held a concert in California; the San Nicoleños of California raised US$4,500 for the SN Express Bin-I Foundation scholarship program. After this, he travelled to Maui in Hawaii to stage another concert. The Maui concert earned US$3,000, which he said will also go to the scholarship program. On November 25, 2016, Mr. Valdez held his biggest concert at the Philippine Convention Center in Honolulu where he raided US$7,000. The earnings will go to the San Nicolas government’s “healing time program”. The final concert of his 10-day tour was held at Honolulu where the San Nicoleños in Honolulu raised US$4,000. The earnings will also

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Batac City —The city of E’zhou in the province of Hubei in China and this city will soon forge a sisterhood relationship. This became closer to realization after the Sangguniang Panlungsod here passed a resolution signifying Batac’s intention to form a sister-city relationship with E’zhou . The Ilocos Times learned that the forging of ties was made possible through the initiative of the Consulate of the People’s Republic of China in Laoag. The consulate is headed by Zhao Qiaoling. Batac mayor Albert D. Chua favored the agreement. He said this will strengthen cooperation between the two cities in terms of trade and economy, investment opportunities, culture and arts, science and technology, and solidifying friendship and understanding with all Asian neighbors. The measure was sponsored by Batac councilors Mary Coleen Cajigal, Medeldorf Gaoat and Avelard Ibarra Crisostomo.

LAOAG CITY—The Zonta Club of Ilocos Norte, a local women organization here is advancing the cause of fellow women here through a series of activism against gender-based violence. As part of the culminating program of the 18-day campaign, a forum on human rights, trafficking in persons and parliamentary procedures related to gender-based violence will be discussed today by selected women leaders at the Laoag City hall auditorium. Ana Carmela Ventura-Remigio, one of the spokesperson of ZCIN said reports reaching the Women and Children Protection Desk of the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office increased by 110 percent comparing the 10-year period of 2004-2014 versus the 2015 to October 2016.  “Based on statistics, violence against women and children rose by 110 percent. In a way it’s alarming because it increased but if you think about it also, it increased because there’s a bigger awareness. It prompts us to work even harder,” said Mrs. Remigio. Over the past two weeks

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—A state-of-the-art three-storey building which shall be known as another branch of the Philippines Science High School (PSHS) will soon rise in the province under the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte. If plans do not miscarry, outstanding high school students here who are exemplary in math and science subjects need not to experience early separation anxiety with their families and go to San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur, the closest branch of PSHS in Region 1. Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Ma. Cristina “Ria” Fariñas, daughter of Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas (1 st district Ilocos Norte) confirmed this after a consultation dialogue with officials of the Department of Education. Through the initiative of Ms. Fariñas’ dad, who currently serves as the Majority Floor Leader of the House of Representatives, she said, “the vision is to come up with a separate and world class Science High School in Laoag City”, which shall be