The Ilocos Times

I have been managing local area networks (LANs) since my days as a director of Management Information Systems (MIS) at the Dept. of Foreign Affairs (DFA), as part of my duties as a Foreign Service Officer (FSO). Although LANs was just a new and emerging technology at that time, the division that I managed was able to build a LAN that covered the entire building using twisted pair cables, somewhat an amazing feat at that time. Since we had no budget for a true server at that time, we were able to configure a relatively high-powered personal computer (PC) to function as a “server”, at least good enough to function as a file server and an email server. Also, because we did not have a budget for a true server, I was able to get a subscription to ATT Mail, and that is how the DFA was able to send and receive worldwide for the first time at that time. When I became the director-general of the National Computer Center (NCC), true servers were already commonplace, and LANs were already more a...

SINCE we are patterned after Christ, we should also have the same heart as that of Christ which is full of compassion. This was shown, for example, in that episode where a big crowd followed him in a desert place and was moved with compassion and healed their sick when he saw them. (cfr. Mt 14,13-21) We actually have a thirst for loving, though we must also realize that that thirst can only be completely quenched by the infinite love of God as shown to us by Christ. That is why in the Book of Proverbs we read these words from God: “Give me, my child, your heart, and let your eyes guard my ways.” (Prov 23,26). When we struggle to give our heart to the Lord, we would actually be expanding our capacity to love others, because our loving would go beyond its purely human and natural ways and would enter into the spiritual and supernatural ways of God. It’s a love that is given gratuitously, without measure, and continues to be given despite being rejected. For this supernatural kind ...

By Noralyn O. Dudt NO MASKS REQUIREMENTS   in public schools   was legislated and executed   by Republican officials   in Iowa, Arkansas,   Arizona, Utah, Texas, Montana,   Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina during the thick of the COVID-19 epidemic.   It was a shocking declaration that   prevented   local governments and school districts from mandating the wearing of masks. It was an executive action that no one expected   as thousands were already dying from the virus   by the   day   and many of the dead   awaiting burials were kept in refrigerated trucks. Indeed a legislation that seemed incomprehensible until we pause to think and ask ourselves, was this one of the   features of "individual liberty" that Republicans espoused? Other issues like gun violence in public schools and other public places want us to scream , "enough is enough,"   let us enact stricter gun laws. But these are cries that have...

INTERNET CONNECTIVITY. Personnel of the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the  Ilocos Norte provincial government on Aug, 29, 2024 discuss the implementation of GovNet in the cities of Laoag and Batac. GovNet aims to provide a transparent, efficient, and effective governance through the use of online connectivity among government agencies. (Photo courtesy of Ilocos Norte province) By Leilanie G. Adriano LAOAG CITY—The provincial government of Ilocos Norte is currently upgrading its internet connectivity through the PHP21 million funding from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to implement the Government Network (GovNet) to 85 government agencies here. DICT is implementing GovNet to help address the basic needs of the government for transparency, efficiency, and effective governance through ICT. Under the program, DICT is responsible for providing the actual Fiber Optic Cores and the other peripherals that are necess...

The Dept.   of Trade and Industry (DTI) has issued preliminary orders and preventive measures to suspend the trade of several vape brands while a formal investigation is ongoing. The vape brands facing trade suspension are: SHFT & DR FREEZE (manufacturer Shenzhen Adwell Technology Co. LTD, importer SHFT Electronic Gadgets Trading OPC); AEROGIN & DON BARS (manufacturer Genome Flavor Technology, importer Aerogin Electronics Corporation Consumer Trading); CHILLAX (manufacturer Shenzhen Wimei Electronic Technology Co., LTD., importer SHFT Electronic Gadgets Trading OPC); BLACK ELITE (manufacturer Shenzhen X Black Vape Technology Co. LTD., importer Jey 888 Trading Corporation); LOST MARY (manufacturer ZCREW International, Inc., importer   Dongguan Airv Technology Co., LTD). This action is in response to the formal charges filed against these brands for violating Section 4(d) of Republic Act (RA) No. 11900, or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation A...

Manila —The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines will open a new Visa Application Center (VAC), launch an updated visa appointment system, and expand call center services to U.S. citizens in the Philippines starting on Sept. 28, 2024. The new VAC will be located at Parqal Building 8, Level 3, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd., Brgy. Tambo, Parañaque City. Immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants seeking interview appointments starting Sept. 28, 2024 will be required to schedule a separate appointment at the VAC for photo capture and fingerprint scanning prior to their interview at the US Embassy on Roxas Blvd.   Scheduling will be done through the new and redesigned online appointment system. Applicants who have scheduled a visa interview before Sept. 28, 2024 will not be affected by this change and should proceed directly to their appointment at the Embassy. The new online appointment system will feature a secure and user-friendly interface for visa applicants and will be available on S...

Laoag  mayor Michael Keon along with several members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by Laoag vice mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas lead the distribution of the PHP12 million worth of agricultural inputs to all the 1,500 combined farmers and fisher folks associations in the city. (Doms Dela Cruz ) By Dominic B. dela Cruz,  Staff Reporter Laoag City —The city government here, by mayor Michael M. Keon, distributed   PHP12 million worth of agricultural inputs to farmers and fishermen in the city. According to Keon, he said he considers the agricultural sector as the most important sector in the city considering that it “provides food on the table”. This is the reason, he said he strongly supports the agricultural sector to ensure the constant food supply here in the city. The mayor believes that food will be one of the main issues in the future and he wanted Laoag to be a self-sufficient and the people to buy local and not imported food products. The mayor cong...