The Ilocos Times

Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) have signed a memorandum of agreement to operate an eddy covariance flux tower that will support rice research and environmental monitoring. The tower erected at PhilRice in Nueva Ecija can collect data on greenhouse gases (GHG) such as carbon dioxide and methane and monitor energy and water vapor exchanged between rice fields and the atmosphere. Tracking the gases released during rice farming will help researchers better understand how rice production affects the environment to reduce GHG emissions. “This gives us a more accurate way to monitor GHG emissions from rice fields. I believe this makes us one of the most high-tech institutions in the country,” Dr. Eduardo Jimmy P. Quilang, PhilRice deputy executive director for research, said. The collaboration will integrate satellite-derived and on-ground data to support decision-making in rice production, GHG monitoring, and long-term environm...

Laoag  Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( staff reporter) Laoag City —Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Laoag unanimously approved a “one of a kind ordinance” called “Lead the way” ordinance promoting respect, discipline, and civic responsibility in all public and communal spaces within the city of Laoag. Laoag Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Rey Carlos Fariñas   said that it is the policy of the city Government of Laoag to promote and uphold the values of respect, discipline, and civic responsibility in all public and communal spaces, in alignment with City Ordinance No. 2024-034, otherwise known as the “Oplan Dalus Code”, in order to foster harmony, safety, cleanliness and community pride. “The City of Laoag, whose name in Ilocano means bright and is proudly known as the Sunshine City, embodies a tradition of community pride, cultural vibrance and strong civic values,” Farinas said. He added that respect, discipline, and civic res...

Laoag  councilor Jaybee Baquiran defends his measure during a regular session mandating the public telecommunications to install their cables underground. ( Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz (s taff reporter) Laoag City —The city government here is eyeing to mandate all public telecommunication facilities to install their cables or wires in a common underground cable passage. The 1987 Constitution declares that the State recognizes the vital role of communication and information in nation-building, while Republic Act 7925, also known as the, "Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines", also declares the policy that the fundamental objective of government is to develop and maintain a viable, efficient, reliable, and universal telecommunication infrastructure using the best available and affordable technologies, as a vital tool to nation building and development. Section 16 of the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160) states, among others, that every...

KMJ in Baguio . Barangay 11 San Fernando, San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte officials headed by punong barangay Dominic Dela Cruz pose with Baguio Vice Mayor Atty. Faustino A. Olowan and the members of the Baguio City council. The San Nicolas barangay council embarked on “a meaningful and enriching ‘Knowledge Management Journey (KMJ)’” to the City of Baguio on September 15, 2025. This activity aims to broaden the barangay council's perspective, strengthen their understanding on local governance and gain more valuable insights more on legislative practices. The barangay officials personally witnessed how proposed measures are being deliberated, how issues are addressed, and how final decisions are collectively reached in a democratic and systematic manner. (Photo by Rols Burgos)

Laoag  Mayor James Bryan Alcid, with several members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, personally visits and distributes food packs to affected barangays and families as supertyphoon Nando lashes the city. By Dominic B. dela Cruz,  Staff reporter Laoag City —Supertyphoon “Ragasa”, locally known as “Nando”, left a trail of destruction in Laoag City after it lashed the city from September 22 to 23, 2025. Reports showed that significant damages to infrastructure and agriculture in the city’s barangays affected were reported and several residents were evacuated due to threats of storm surges and landslides. As of September 23, 2025, at 5:00 pm, reports indicated that damages on infrastructure has reached up to PHP37.8 million, which comprised PHP12.3 million for public buildings, and PHP25.5 million for roads and bridges. As to agri-infrastructure damages and losses, reports showed PHP49,432,667.50 damages which are broken down as: rice and corn damages in the amount of ...

AT one time , Christ told this parable about how to behave when invited to some special event. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place.” (Lk 14,8-9) He is obviously telling us that we should avoid feeling entitled and privileged because of some position or status we enjoy in life. We should rather try to pass unnoticed, always concerned with doing a lot of good and with the eagerness to serve anyone and everyone. This way we would be imitating Christ who is the very pattern of our humanity and the savior of our damaged humanity. And with him, we would already have everything we truly need. We would have no more need for any earthly consolation or compensation. It is with him that we have our tr...

Laoag  Mayor James Bryan Alcid with Regional Director and DOH Ilocos Center for Health Development Paula Paz Sydiongco, city government officials, DOH and DSWD staff take pictures with the beneficiaries of the distributed free wheelchairs from DOH. The free medical services dubbed as “Handog Ng Pangulo” is a simultaneous mission nationwide in celebration of the birthday of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. with Laoag City among one of the chosen venues. Records show that hundreds of Laoagueños were also granted free medical assistance. ( Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz, S taff reporter Laoag City —Considering that this city as the new “Gateway to the North” and as it is booming and progressing, the new Laoag mayor is proposing to construct a new government center to be situated at Brgy. 1, San Lorenzo this city. Laoag Mayor James Bryan Q. Alcid said that it has been “observed and learned” that the Laoag City Hall is “too old and needs more space for offices”. “Ta da...