The Ilocos Times

One of the simplest, cheapest, and most practical solutions to flooding is something we often overlook: retention ponds . These man-made basins hold water permanently and manage stormwater before it wreaks havoc in our communities. And unlike mega- infrastructure projects that take years and billions of pesos, retention ponds are so easy to build that even our barangays can do them. In other words: Why aren’t we building more of them? A retention pond slows down stormwater, traps sediments, improves water quality, and prevents erosion downstream. It functions like a community-level buffer against the increasing intensity of rainfall we experience due to climate change . Unlike detention ponds —which dry out between storms—retention ponds always contain water. They look like real ponds, with vegetation around them, attracting fish, birds, and other wildlife. But what makes retention ponds truly compelling is how multi-purpose they can be. With proper filtration, they can becom...

MODERN society often associates addiction with alcohol or illegal drugs. Yet an increasing number of psychologists, pastoral counselors, and spiritual writers recognize another destructive addiction that has spread quietly through the internet and digital media: pornography. Available at the touch of a screen and often consumed in secrecy, pornography has become what many describe as the "new drug." Its effects reach far beyond the individual, damaging marriages, families, friendships, and one's relationship with God. From a Catholic perspective, pornography is not merely a moral failing but a distortion of God's beautiful plan for human love. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that pornography "does grave injury to the dignity of its participants" because it reduces persons to objects of pleasure instead of recognizing them as children of God created in His image (CCC 2354). Rather than fostering authentic love , pornography trains the mind ...

  Laoag Mayor James Bryan Alcid meets with barangays tanods and barangay officials headed by Laoag ABC President Rbee Ablan, Schools Division Superintendent Joan Corpuz, chief of police Lt. Col. Ryan Retotar and CDRRM officer Dr. Melvin Manuel for a stricter implementation of peace and order both in public and private schools in the city to avoid crimes and other illegal activities that might occur. ( Photo by Mr. Larry Pedralvez) By Dominic B. dela Cruz,  Staff reporter Laoag City —To ensure public safety and protect residents from crime, the city government of Laoag has asked Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police, to deploy 106 additional police personnel to meet the ideal 1:500 police-to-population ratio and bolster security across 80 barangays and 64 schools. Laoag Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas said Laoag covers 12,747.35 hectares and comprises 80 barangays, 40 public schools and 24 private schools, all of which require ade...

By Dominic B. dela Cruz.  Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—The Sangguniang Panlungsod approved PHP20.2 million for the Laoag City Sports Development and Tourism Promotions Project to host an international triathlon aimed at boosting employment, the local economy and tourism. The council authorized Laoag Mayor James Bryan Q. Alcid to enter into a multi-year contract with a qualified supplier/consultant for the project. Laoag Councilor Donald Nicolas, chairperson of the appropriations committee, said Republic Act No. 12009 (the New Government Procurement Act) allows multi-year contracts subject to Multi-Year Contractual Authority (MYCA) and Department of Budget and Management conditions. The MYCA’s total project cost will be the basis for the Approved Budget for the Contract. The city plans to fund the project over two years. It allocated PHP6 million through Supplemental Budget Ordinance No. 13-013-2026 (Series of 2026) and will include the remaining PHP14.2 million in the 2027 ann...

  Bureau of Learning Resources (BLR)Director IV Atty. Suzette T. Ganaban-Medina leads the inauguration and blessing of the newly established Schools’ Division of Library Hub with Laoag Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas , several members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and DepEd staff. More than just a book-filled building, the Library Hub shows SDOLC ’s dedication in giving learners and teachers better access to a wide-array of learning resources. It's meant to be a facility for reading, research, and life-long learning serving both present and future generations of learners. The blessing and inauguration ceremony marks the culmination of efforts from various partners and stakeholders who shared a common vision of creating a learning environment where curiosity can flourish and opportunities for growth are within reach thru the leadership of Laoag Mayor James Bryan Q. Alcid, by providing the parcel of land through usufruct agreement. (Photos by Larry Pedralvez )

Bangui Mayor Denton Lawrence Garvida delivers his 365 days State of the Municipality Address (SOMA) before the municipal council, municipal hall employees, barangay officials and the people of Bangui. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz, Staff reporter Bangui , Ilocos Norte—Mayor Denton Lawrence G. Garvida delivers his first State of the Municipality Address (SOMA), “A Year of Service. A Vision for the Future,” at the Bangui People’s Center during the Sangguniang Bayan ’s second Special Session on June 30, 2026, marking his 365 days as local chief executive. Garvida reviews the municipality’s accomplishments, outlines ongoing projects and sets priorities for 2026–2027, stressing that local governance is a shared task among the municipal, provincial and national governments, barangays, civil society, the private sector and residents. Administrative governance and partnerships drive many projects. The LGU partnered with Mariano Marcos State University on tilapia grow‑out sit...

  Laoag City —Demonstrating its continued dedication to providing equitable and convenient identification services, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Ilocos Norte Provincial Statistical Office (PSO) intensified its national ID (NID) registration operations, recording a total of 1,805 registrants across the province in May 2026. This accomplishment was achieved through the enhanced implementation of field registration activities, particularly through mobile registration efforts conducted in collaboration with various local government units (LGUs), especially in the cities of Laoag and Batac. These outreach initiatives enabled the PSO to bring NID services closer to residents, making registration more accessible to individuals who encounter difficulties traveling to Fixed Registration Centers (FRCs) because of geographical, physical, or economic barriers. As part of the province’s operational strategy, considerable manpower resources were allocated to LGU-led mobile reg...