The Ilocos Times

Laoag City —Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos is urging the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to “seriously consider” implementing a “lifeline” rate for consumers who are not heavy users of data and mobile services. She is also proposing a package of measures to reduce the cost of phone calls, text messages, and data services so as to end the country's record of having one of the highest mobile voice and SMS rates in Asia. “A ‘lifeline’ rate which could be based on a consumer’s average data and mobile use would benefit mostly lower income Filipinos,” the governor said. “The poor sectors of our society use the internet less frequently than the ‘techie’ ones; hence they should not be burdened with high cell phone charges that they did not actually incur.” Ms. Marcos urged the government to remove the value-added tax on telecommunication services, such as phone calls

  RUN FOR PEACEFUL ELECTIONS . Sports enthusiasts and their families join the fun run for a clean and orderly 2019 elections on March 9, 2019. (Photo courtesy of INPPO) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—Hundreds of runners from various parts of Ilocos Norte and nearby provinces joined the fun run on March 9, 2019 from Camp Valentin S. Juan in this city to the town of Vintar. Organized by the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (INPPO), Police Maj. Angelito de Juan of the investigation division said the fun run aims to advocate peace in the upcoming May mid-term elections. “This is a friendly run with our allies and the candidates. We hope that we get rid of hurting and teasing each other during the campaign,” said Mr. De Juan during the opening program at the INPPO open ground. The event was among the activities of the INPPO and the Commission on Elections, which also led the February 7, 2019 interfaith rally and January 13, 2019 walk for

Ditoy Laoag ti nakaipasngayanmi. Ditoy metten ti inkam dimmakelan, wen apo, dimmakkelkam met bassit. Numan pay adda dagiti gundaway a pinanawanmi ti Laoag gapu iti adal ken trabaho, inyaddang latta dagiti sakami ti agsubli ditoy “sunshine city”.   Isu nga intay man padasen nga iladawan dagiti dadduma a nagbalbaliwan ti bukodtayo a ciudad. Irapintay metten a lagipen dagiti sigud a pagbutbutngan a lugar ditoy Laoag a nagtaudan dagiti naduma-duma nga istorya maipanggep kadagiti di-katawtaw-an. *** 5 a naggidiatan ti napalabas ken agdama ditoy Laoag: 1. Idi, mabain dagiti tao nga agibelleng iti kalsada uray wrapper laeng ti kendi. Ita, adun dagitay awanan disiplina a mangibakal lattan iti kalsada kadagiti basurada. 2. Idi, dagiti pedestrian lane ket nawada a pagnaan dagiti pada a magmagna. Ita, dagiti pedestrian lane ket nagbalinen a garahe dagiti trak ken pilaan dagiti traysikelan. 3. Idi, no agbatangtang ti kampana para iti orasyon iti malem, agsardeng

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —This city’s vice mayor and Sangguniang Panlungsod presiding officer Atty. Franklin Dante A. Respicio disclosed that the budget of the 80 barangays here will not be affected by the disapproved 2019 annual budget. “Ta adda daytoy review power iti Sangguniang Panlungsod a no after 30 days ket awan aksyon iti Sangguniang Panlungsod kadagiti barangay budgets , saan kayo a madanagan ta these will be deemed approved arig na a kasla met laeng inaprobaran iti konseho iti siyudad iti Laoag ,” Mr. Respicio explained. The vice mayor said this in response to Laoag councilor Shirley O. Sin’s opinion that they cannot tackle the barangay budgets until they approve or finally disapprove the city’s 2019 budget. Mr. Respicio added that barangay budgets are deemed approved after 30 days from date of submission to the council if the councilors do not act on it. “I will see to it that after 30 days, the presiding offic

By Bernardo B. Ver II Contributor Batac City —The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) thru the help of the Lions Club of San Diego, California and the City Government of Batac held a medical and optical mission at the Teatro Ilocandia on February 16, 2019. MMSU President Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis welcomed the 14 members of the Lions Club with the University’s Seven (7) Point Agenda with a theme ACHIEVE; A - Academic Excellence; C - Creative, Relevant and Innovative Research Programs; H - High Impact and Transformative Extension and Outreach Programs; I - Improved Revenue Generation and Resource Management; E - Expanded External Linkages and Partnerships; V - Vibrant and Engaging, Culturally-Focused University Campus; E - Effective and Efficient Management. She envisaged in her speech that after achieving those pointers, MMSU will be the premiere Philippine university by the year 2028. Mrs. Agrupis also assures the crowd, especially the patients. of the support

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—Fish cage operators in the four provinces of Region 1 has been warned of a possible fish kill due to the effects of El Niño which is likely to occur with the onset of summer. Lilibeth L. Signey, regional director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Region 1 said that as part of the El Niño mitigation plan for the fisheries sector, it is better for fish cage operators to partially harvest their stock to avoid fish kill. Ms. Signey explained El Niño may have a negative impact on aquaculture since high temperatures hasten the decay of organic matter and promote plankton bloom that could result in a fish kill. “We advised our fish cage operators to harvest those marketable size already to prevent further losses and to command a better price,” said Ms. Signey. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration ( Pagasa ) announced weak El Niño conditions are already presen

Manila , February 18, 2019—Lieutenant General Lewis A. Craparotta, commander of U.S. Marine Forces Pacific’s (MARFORPAC), visit to the Philippines from February 16-18, 2019 emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Philippine alliance to the Indo-Pacific region. During his visit, Mr. Craparotta met with Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. and the Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) General Alvin Parreño to discuss the US Marine Corps-AFP partnership. Mr. Craparotta joined Mr. Parreño to deliver opening remarks at the US Marine Forces Pacific Marine-to-Marine Staff Talks, a bilateral exchange in which members of the US and Philippine Marine Corps discuss opportunities to increase collaboration in the future. “These Philippine Marine Corps-MARFORPAC Marine to Marine Staff Talks promote cooperation and interoperability between our forces. As the warriors from the sea and the crisis response force, we the Marines have alwa