The Ilocos Times

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY— Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial director Benjamin Garcia clarified that there is no need to impose price controls of prime commodities following a hike in prices of manufactured goods due to the expected round of oil price increases. In view of the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law, Mr. Garcia said the cost of basic and prime commodities are likely to increase by five percent on its distribution costs due to increase in fuel. In Laoag City, the DTI is on top of monitoring price increases of basic and prime commodities but as of now, Mr. Garcia said there is no price increase yet. He clarified that DTI gives “suggested retail prices” and if someone goes overboard without necessary justification, these erring individuals could be charge with profiteering. “As of the moment, manufacturers are still reviewing how much to be charge. So, as far as basic commodit

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Dingras , Ilocos Norte—As the province of Ilocos Norte celebrated its 200 th founding anniversary on February 2, 2018, farmers in Dingras town also rejoiced with the turn-over of multi-million rice processing complex. Representatives of the Department of Agriculture led by regional executive director Lucrecio Alviar and Dingras officials led the ribbon cutting ceremony of the modern rice processing center here. Operated by the Sarusar Federated Irrigators Association, they obtained the PHP4.5 million rice processing center in this town through a grant from the DA with a counterpart fund from the local government unit and the local farmers association. Once the rice granary of Ilocos Norte before it Vintar town claimed the title as top rice producer in the province, Dingras sets its eyes on regaining its title by improving its rice production efficiency in the coming years. “This is a one step forward for the province to sus

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Around 3,000 young boys from the 21 towns and two cities of the province are in the mountainous town of Carasi, some 30 kilometers northwest of Laoag, for the 71 st Provincial Boy Scout Jamboree slated from January 18-21, 2018. With a favorable weather, Carasi mayor Rene Gaspar said the indigenous peoples (IP) community are eager to share their ‘piece of paradise’ to the delegates. He said they have coordinated everything with concerned authorities particularly the Philippine National Police and the barangay tanods to ensure the safety and security of the participants. Carasi is a mineral-rich town of Ilocos Norte and the least populated area in the province with over 214 households or about 2,000 residents dominated by the Isneg tribe. Its cinematic landscape offers a refreshing view to visitors with accessible waterfalls and hot springs. As a first-time host to this event, Mr. Gaspar said they would love to sh

And God said: “Let there be light”. And there was light. Martin Luther King said: “I have a dream”. And his dream came true. This reality of light, and the memory of the heroic act of dreaming are the ingredients of the President Elpidio R. Quirino Leadership and Humanitarian Award.   It is history at its best. It is history making at its first and finest. And it is our salute to our community leaders who, time and again, have made us remember that light must be there, and that a living dream must orient our lives even if we have traversed distances from home found a new home over here in the United States—in the State of Hawaii, in particular. As one of the ISAH advisers and as often as we do meet with Ilocos Surian Association of Hawaii president Danny Villaruz, in putting together the rationale of the award, the first for the association, said: an award of distinction, prestigious and eminent, ought to recognize the extraordinary work of those who came from

LAOAG  mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas hands over a symbolic check worth PHP200,000 from the DSWD national government and the city government of Laoag to centenarian Restitito Rivera of Barangay 6, Laoag City on January 08, 2018 during the regular flag raising ceremony. Witnessing the awarding are some city officials and department heads. (Doms dela Cruz)

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Diocese of Laoag Bishop Renato Mayugba enjoined residents here to work for peace and prosperity. As a head start for 2018, Mr. Mayugba met with local reporters at the Bishop’s residence as he reechoed the homily of Pope Francis to seek God’s help to start anew with full of hope of whatever challenges this new year brings. “We need peace in our country, peace in our homes and peace in our lives,” said Mr. Mayugba as he reiterated there will always be challenges that will come along the way but with the intercession of the Blessed Mother, everything will fall into place. Political bickering marred Ilocos Norte last year, affecting Ilocanos in general. To promote peace and get rid of misunderstanding among its people, Mr. Mayugba suggested the launching of a ‘walk for peace’ in the entire province. “We do not want disturbance of our peace like what happened in Mindanao and we also want all our leaders to have

LAOAG CITY—The Sangguniang Panlalawigan held a joint committee hearing to tackle alleged illegal cockfighting activities in the province and in this city. SP member Vicentito “Toto” M. Lazo, committee on games and amusement chairperson invited cockpit aficionados to “pore over facts and procedures in a certain fight provided by the Presidential Decree (PD) 449 or the cockfighting law”. During the hearing, Mr. Lazo asked Alejandro “Bong” Taylan, sole proprietor of the Golden Blade Cockpit Arena (Laoag City Sports Center) on who acted as the promoter of the controversial 4 th Bakbakan which, he said the provincial board did not allow. The SP declared the Laoag City ordinance that permitted this event “ultra vires”, or invalid. Mr. Taylan replied that the President of the United Ilocandia Gamefowl Breeders Association (UNIGBA) Atty. Windell Chua as the event’s promoter. The investigating committees found out that the United Ilocandia Gamefowl Breeders Association (UN