The Ilocos Times

NEW PATTERNS. An Abel exhibit is at the Laoag International Airport arrival area on Friday (Aug. 29, 2024). The use of these new patterns and designs for Abel Iloko is meant to attract a wider market, particularly among fashion designers and the younger generation to appreciate inabel products. ( Lei Adriano) By Leilanie Adriano LAOAG CITY—A homegrown start-up, Ilocandia Unliweave Patterns, is promoting new patterns and designs for the Ilokano handwoven cloth to attract more customers and designers, particularly the younger generation. In an exhibit at the Laoag International Airport arrival area recently, some of the intricate symmetrical patterns that were digitally generated based on a mathematical algorithm were showcased to stir curiosity. “The exhibit is held at the Laoag airport to promote these new patterns in a place where it is not exposed yet to expand its market reach,” said Bernard Guerrero, a cultural researcher, and consultant of the Bannuar Technology Business Inc...

From left: DOT Dir. Paulo Benito S. Tugbang, Department of Tourism; DICT Dir. Emmy Lou Delfin, DepEd Dir. Marilyn B. Siao; DICT Usec. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue; DTI Asec. Dominic Tolentino; Congressman Christopher De Venecia; DTI Acting Sec. Ma. Cristina Aldeguer-Roque; Anti Red Tape Authority Director General Ernesto V. Perez; IPOPHL Director- General Rowel S. Barba; NEDA Usec. Rosemarie G. Edillon; Mr. Pablo Gabriel Malvar, PCIDC Private Sector Representative; DTI Usec. Rafaelita M. Aldaba; DTI Asec. Leonila T. Baluyut; DTI Dir. Lilian G. Salonga. Manila —Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) acting Secretary Ma. Christina A. Roque built anticipation for the nationwide Philippine Creative Industries Month (PCIM) celebration in September 2024. The trade chief made the announcement during a press conference, August 23. Themed “#WeAreACreativeNation,” this year’s PCIM highlights the essential role of creativity and innovation in shaping the Philippines’ socio-cultural and economic landsca...

Considering the number of island barangays in our country, I have no doubt in my mind that we should already introduce a system of sea ambulances all over the country, wherever these are needed. I am saying that it should be a "system", because these sea ambulances would be practically useless, not unless it will be supported by an emergency dispatching system, and an "army" of emergency medical technicians (EMTs). I will never subscribe to the argument that some LGUs do not have ambulances because they have no money to buy these. I think that is a rotten reasoning, and it is just proof to show that the LGU officials who say that do not have their priorities in order. I understand that the LGUs may have other priorities, but who can say that saving lives is not a priority? When I was a director at the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), I was happy to be part of the board of directors that approved the request of LGUs for ambulance units. I was however ...

What is the difference between GDP and GNP? What economic indicator measures economic growth? What is below poverty line level relative to GDP and GNP? How would you determine if our economic well-being is above the poverty line? Can we discuss various economic terms that describe the economic life of the Filipino people? Are we satisfied with our economic managers in dealing with our poverty problems and corruption? What other alternative measures can we interject to correct our low economic life? Certainly! Let's break down questions one by one.   Difference between GDP and GNP GDP (Gross Domestic Product): Measures the total value of all goods and services produced within a country's borders over a specific time period. It focuses on location. GNP (Gross National Product): Measures the total value of goods and services produced by the residents of a country, regardless of where the production takes place. It includes income earned by residents from investments abr...

WE are reminded of this duty in the second reading of the Mass of the 23 rd   Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B. It’s from the Letter of St. James (2,1-5) There, St. James talks about the discrimination one practices when he treats a rich man with a lot of favor and privilege while asking the poor man to sit by the footstool. Of course, to fulfill this duty is not easy, given our wounded human condition. But we can always do something about it. And the first thing to remember is that irrespective of our differences and conflicts, we are all brothers and sisters, all children of God. We are meant to love and care for one another. This does not mean that we have to treat everybody in the same way. That we are all equal in the eyes of God does not mean that we have to treat everyone in the same way. What is meant is that we should love everyone, but according to how one is. Like, the way you deal with an elderly person would be different from the way we deal with a youngster, or...

I think that so far, It is only the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) that is successfully operating a purely online electronic commerce platform in the Philippines to "sell" a physical product in the form of paper documents. Right now, anyone can order birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates and certificates of no marriage records (CENOMAR) from the PSA, without the need for a personal appearance. Perhaps wanting to provide the next best thing, DFA, PNP and LTO are offering online applications, but they would still require personal appearances. Apparently, some Local Government Units (LGUs) are offering the purely online issuance of products in the form of paper documents, but it is difficult to find out which of them are doing so, and there appears to be no national standards that govern the conduct of these processes. Ideally, any citizen of any LGU should be able to "order" a physical product that could come in paper form, usually in t...

  Coconut week in Pagudpud . In celebration of the Coconut Week, the municipal government of Pagudpud, headed by mayor Rafael Ralph Benemerito together with the CPA, PNP, the Army, different cooperatives, employees of the municipal government and farmers planted an initial 200 coconut seedlings of the total 18,000 seedlings at Brgy. Kaparispisan in this town.  (Photo courtesy of LGU-Pagudpud)