The Ilocos Times

The capacity-building component of the Agricultural Support Component of the National Irrigation Sector Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (NISRIP) has attained 82% completion of the targeted 11 batches for the Training of Trainers (TOT) component. The TOT has so far taught 190 Agricultural Technologists (ATs) and National Irrigation Sector (NIS) personnel on Integrated Crop Management using the PalayCheck System. Trainings mainly focused on nutrient management, water management, and pest control, which are common areas that need improvement based on Focus Group Discussions conducted by Rice Technicians (RiceTechs) in over 180 Irrigators Associations (IAs) in nine regions. To date, 25 Farmers Field Schools (FFS) have been going on simultaneously for the IAs of Ilocos, Pangasinan, Pampanga, Agusan, Los Baños, Palawan, and Negros, being led by TOT graduates and RiceTechs. Three hectares Participatory Demonstration Farm cum seed production areas have been established per IA.

Manila , September 27, 2013—Sweet success for a chocolate entrepreneur. Dalareich Polot (fourth from right) won the $5,000 Grand Prize for best business presentation at the first ever Young Women Entrepreneurs Bootcamp. Polot, of Dalareich Food Products in Tagbilaran City, produces chocolate - bars (tablea) and encourages other youth to become entrepreneurs in order to create more economic opportunities in the Philippines. Organized by U.S. Embassy Manila and Spark! Philippines (Samahan ng mga Pilipina Para sa Reporma at Kaunlaran), the three-day program provided mentoring, training, and networking opportunities for 27 women business owners from throughout the Philippines. Also in the photo from left to right are U.S. Economic Officer Katy Bondy, Spark! Philippines President Mel Alonzo, U.S. Embassy Economic Counselor Joel Ehrendreich, Bernadette Manuel of Seon Kris Food Products Innovations from Surigao del Norte; Fatima Elijah Basar of Elijah's Marketing from Cotabato; K

United States Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, Jr. administered the oath to 71 American Peace Corps Volunteers at the United States Embassy in Manila on September 18, 2013.  Returned Peace Corps Volunteers-- currently living and working in the Philippines, representatives from the national and local governments, non-government agencies, and senior U.S. Embassy staff attended the ceremony. The Peace Corps program in the Philippines has a long and rich history as the Philippines was the second nation chosen to receive volunteers.  Since the program was established in 1961, more than 8,500 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in the Philippines.  It is a true partnership between the people and government of Philippines and the United States. The new Volunteers have undergone 10 weeks of comprehensive cross-cultural, language, and technical training to prepare them for their work in the Philippines.  A day after the ceremony, the new Volunteers traveled to their local communities where th

The rescue team of the Ilocos Norte government prepositions rubber boats as supertyphoon Odette lashed the province on September 21. Photo by Alaric Yanos By Dominic B. dela Cruz & Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporters Strong winds and heavy rain accompanying super typhoon “Odette” (international codename Usagi) has destroyed more than P300 million worth of crops, roads, and dikes as of last report of the provincial government. At least two persons were killed, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC). On September 22 , Mario Lozano, 55, of Barangay Subec in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte went out to fish but rescuers later found him dead near his house, the PDRRMC said. The other fatality, Russel Batoon, 37, a lineman of Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC), stepped on a live wire and was electrocuted while repairing a line at Barangay Pasaleng, also in Pagudpud. While validating other damages as public storm sign

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter Currimao , Ilocos Norte—An Indian national was gunned down   on the afternoon of September 24 while driving with a companion along the national highway at Barangay Lang-ayan here, a police report said. Police Sr. Insp. Ryan Retotar, Currimao police chief said the victim was identified as Surinder Singh, 37 and a resident of Batac City. He incurred at least two gunshot wounds and was rushed to the nearby Mariano Marcos Hospital and Medical Center. He died at the hospital while being treated. Recovered at the crime scene were empty shells of .45 caliber pistol.                 As of press time, investigators are looking at robbery or lending business as possible motives of the killing. Singh was the 86 th   to be killed by men riding in tandem in Ilocos Norte province since January based on the latest record of crime update here which marked a 28 percent increase in crime volume compared to the same period last year.

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INEC acting general manager Engr. Herbert Agdigos assists Ilocos Norte provincial administrator Windell Chua during the blessing and ceremonial switching of the 10 MVA substation on September 19 located at Barangay 1 in Laoag City. The new substation is expected to augment the increasing load capacity in the city. Doms dela Cruz By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter To improve electricity distribution in Laoag City, the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) has commissioned its 10 MV substation located at Barangay 1 on September 19. INEC acting general manager Engr. Felino Herbert Agdigos said this station would augment the increasing load capacity requirement of Laoag City, helping their Barangay 23 substation also in this city. INEC reports show that Laoag City has a total load capacity of 20 MW and INEC already has 80 percent and if this continuous to increase until 2016, the INEC official said they will again need a new substation. Agdigos discl