The Ilocos Times

By Dominic Dela Cruz Staff reporter San Nicolas , Ilocos Norte—The Dept. of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Ilocos Norte 2 nd engineering district assistant district engineer James Ferrer said the DPWH “strictly prohibits” the drying of palay along national road. He added that they have advised farmers and rice traders not to use national roads as drying area of their produce. Mr. Ferrer reiterated an earlier memorandum and directive issued by former DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson prohibiting the same for “strict implementation”. Farmers and/or rice traders, however, continue to use national roads to dry their produce. Some even go to the extent of putting barriers in the road so vehicles will not runover their produce. This, however, is exposing motorists to danger while driving along barred roads. “ Naiintindihan din naman natin ang mga farmers lalo na kung tag-ulan at kailangan talaga nilang ibilad yung mga palay kaya lang dapat initindihan din nila ang

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—In time for the October planting season, Ilocos Norte officials encouraged garlic farmers here to expand their production area as the province aims to deliver at least 20 percent or 26,000 metric tons of the national market demand. Garlic demand in the Philippines based on the National Statistics Office is approximately 128,000 metric tons per year. As one of the country’s major garlic producer, Ilocos Norte’s garlic industry remains threatened by cartel which government authorities here are trying to suppressed. “Garlic is a potential product we should look into. Our production target is doable,” said Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Vicentito “Toto” M. Lazo as he urged farmers to help fight cartel, a long-time problem in the agriculture industry which really needs to be taken seriously. This planting season, the state-run Mariano Marcos State University, Ilocos Norte government, Department of Agriculture and

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Piddig , Ilocos Norte—Before farmers could take that match to light up scattered rice straw in the farm lands, the local government unit of Piddig is offering cash to them should they convert it into organic fertilizer. Pegged at Php 5,000 per farmer, the Piddig LGU announced that they are buying rice straw locally known as “garami” from farmers. Former Piddig mayor, now consultant to the Office of the Mayor, Engr. Eduardo Guillen, said this is one way of encouraging them not to burn their farm wastes but instead, convert them into cash. Town mayor Georgina Guillen said the municipal agriculture office has been collecting dry rice straw from farmers for a fee. Vermicomposting technology converts rice straws into organic fertilizer, and then the LGU will give the produce back to farmers’ cooperatives for free. Despite the presence of a provincial ordinance prohibiting the burning of rice straw in the entire province, t

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Secondary and college-level students including graduates of any course who wants to enter business process outsourcing (BPO) companies may consider to apply for a free training course on communication skills for a period of 18 days or 144 hours. Ann Marie Lizette Bitancor of the Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO) made this announcement. Set last November, Ms. Bitancor added interested applicants aged 18 and above may submit their application requirements at the PESO located at the ground floor of the Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol. Among the needed requirements are the following: resume, transcript of records or certificate of grades or certificate of diploma. Bitancor said the in an effort to generate more jobs in the province, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in cooperation with the Laoag-based Datacom Institute of Computer Technology and Ilocos Norte government will offer Nat

DAR regional director Virgilio L. Acuña (standing) spearheads the dialogue on revitalizing the garlic and onion industry in agrarian reform areas in Ilocos region. ( Jopo Guerrero) San Juan , La Union—Aiming to address production and marketing problems, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) conducted a dialogue on revitalizing the garlic and onion industry in agrarian reform areas in Ilocos region. Dar regional director Virgilio L. Acuña said there is a production slump in the industry resulting to 94% importation in garlic and 60% for onion. Studies show that plant diseases, lack of quality seedlings, entry of cheap imports, smuggled garlic and onion and lack of new production technology contributed to the decline of the quality and volume of production resulting to huge losses. Mr. Acuña said the activity will help DAR in knowing directly from the farmers their present status and predicaments in the light of the current situation of the industry. “We would like to de

Sarrat , Ilocos Norte– The Department of Health (DOH) in coordination with this town’s rural health unit (RHU) provided free health check-up in 24 barangays here. Sarrat health officer Dr. Cheryl Rasalan-Laguatan said DOH funds the caravan and incorporated with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to help the unfortunate and sick villagers. In fact, most of the recipients are from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). The said project is in line with the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of the province of Ilocos Norte in maintaining health care and promoting clean environment for Ilocanos. ( Bernard Ver )

English: Hydro-Quebec electric meter (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Dingras , Ilocos Norte—The Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) announced another .23 centavos reduction per kilowatt hour on electric bills this month of November for residential rates. INEC board president Reynaldo M. Lazo made the reduction announcement, which followed an earlier 90 centavos reduction for October. Mr. Lazo said the reductions are due to the decrease in generation, transmission and systems loss charges. There was no reduction, however, in distribution charges. With the reductions, INEC November rates are PHp8.26 per kilowatt hour for residential consumers; and PHP7.24 per kilowatt hour for small and large commercial. Prior to the latest reduction, residential rate was at PHP8.50 and PHP7.49 for small and large commercial. ( Dominic Dela Cruz )