The Ilocos Times

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter AFTER KICKING off Brigada Eskwela 2014 at the Balatong Integrated School on May 19, the Laoag Dept. of Education division said they are now ready for the opening of classes on June 2. Dr. Cecilia P. Aribuabo, city schools division superintendent said they have sufficient teachers for the coming school year. She also stressed that schools have been advised not to collect fees during enrolment unless the parent would be willing to pay the allowed fees. Among the allowed fees are Girl/Boy Scouts fees and the anti-tuberculosis fee. Dr. Aribuabo added that contributions are pegged at P250 for elementary pupils and less than P500 for secondary students. Wearing of uniforms is also voluntary but she pointed out that uniforms are for the pupils’ and students’ safety as they can easily be identified if they roam around. She stated further that uniforms would eventually be a savings for parents as they would no longer need to buy

Editha Dacuycuy (center) file photo By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter IN A BID to further boost the dragon plant industry in the country, the Philippine Dragon Fruit Growers and Processors National Council was organized recently to make its presence felt in the export market. Led by its president, multi-awarded farmer scientist and entrepreneur Edita Aguinaldo-Dacuycuy of REFMAD Farms, the pioneering dragon fruit plantation in Ilocos region, the newly-organized council backed by various government agencies including the Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform and the Ilocos Region Agriculture Resources Research and Development Council (ILARRDEC) aims to promote dragon fruit as a promising high value crop with a great demand in the export market. At present, there are at least 40 active members in the council composed of big time players in the agriculture industry. “By coming as one, we envision to make the Philippines known for its quality f

RELAX, RENEW, REFLECT. Top Photo shows senior citizens of Brgy. 15, Laoag City, with all smiles partaking lunch during the picnic to relax, renew, recharge and reflect. (From left) standing, Naring Matias, board; Cresen Nolasco, Loi Fausto, and Merlene Alvarez, board and third from R; Romana Fernandez, Treasurer. (Inset left): Members of the board singing together, “Diay Baybay”, with the following lyrics to remember: “Sadiay anian a ragsak” (relax)/ “Sadiay awan ti rigat”, (renew)/ “Sadiay makalinglingay diay baybay ket nalinak” (reflect). From Left -  with microphone, Dolores Pedro, secretary; Loi Fausto, Merlene Alvarez, members; Mariano Eugenio, with hat, president; Romana Fernandez, treasurer, and Avelina Alipio, asst. secretary-treasurer. (Inset right): Lolas with their grandchildren enjoying the clear water to relieve them from the summer heat, besides the fun and laughters. The Senior Citizens Association of Barangay 15, Laoag City, recently went to a picnic at th

By Kent Jerico Ramil DOST OF THE 274 high school graduates from the different municipalities and cities of Ilocos Norte who took the scholarship examination, 37 qualified for the Dept. of Science and Technology scholarship. The passers were mostly from Laoag City, Batac City, Bacarra and Bangui, which accounted for the highest number of passers. Adams and Dumalneg, on the other hand, accounted for the least number of qualifiers. The scholarship qualifiers belong to the economically disadvantaged families who qualified under the Republic Act 7687 scholar grants.  These scholars will receive free tuition fees, monthly stipend and book allowance, among others.  The qualifiers who will avail of any of the science and technology undergraduate scholarships may pursue a four- or five-year college degree in priority science and technology fields.  They can enroll in state universities and colleges and other higher educational institutions recognized by the Commission

Robusta coffee, Sigay’s one-town-one-product.  By Reynaldo E. Andres MMSU SIGAY, Ilocos Sur —Coffee traders in Ilocos region who are looking for aromatic coffee beans like those produced in Batangas and Cavite need not go too far. They can find them in the farm house of Simeon Acbayan, 61, at Brgy. San Elias, Sigay, Ilocos Sur. Mr. Acbayan’s farm house is always loaded with sacks of dried coffee beans ready for market. These world class coffee beans are those of the Robusta variety which abundantly dot a two-hectare slopes of a hill owned by Mr. Acbayan. Because of Mr. Acbayan’s success in producing quality and aromatic coffee beans, Sigay has now become a well-known trading “entrepot” center of small and big time coffee traders in Luzon. In fact, the local government of Sigay has made this morning beverage as its one-town-one-product (OTOP) since 2009 and recommended Mr. Acbayan to the Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Developm

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter The Department of Education (DepEd) Ilocos Norte Division Office is all set for the opening of classes on June 2. With the launch of Brigada Eskwela on May 19, education officials, parents and other volunteers proved that the “bayanihan” spirit in the province is very much alive. During the event, construction materials were brought by parents and volunteers to help prepare classrooms and other facilities for the June 2 opening of classes. Ilocos Norte division officer-in-charge Joel Lopes said the Ilocano spirit of bayanihan becomes more visible in times like this when all concerned education stakeholders take time out to help out during the week-long Brigada Eskwela program. “Brigada Eskwela encourages the cooperation and volunteerism among stake holders to partake in the preparation of schools. “I am happy to spend a little time to my school Alma Mater this morning for the Brigada. In the service of men for the Glory of

NOW THE shoe is on the other foot. After executing a tell-all affidavit complete with the list of names of those supposedly involved in the pork barrel scam, Janet Lim Napoles have seemed to have taken the chair from under those lawmakers investigating the scam. Now, everyone—well, mostly everyone—is now being accused of involvement in the scam. How this saga degenerated into a battle of “lists” is a source of amazement. And we cannot help but wonder if this is the work of savvy and cunning individuals to confuse the public and put doubts on the integrity of those investigating the scam. The problem with the situation now is Ms. Napoles seems to have taken the front seat in the issue. Now it seems, it is her who has become credible and trustworthy. She now even has the gall to ask for immunity for her to “tell all”. And as it all pans out, we now no longer need to wonder how Ms. Napoles almost got away with the scam—with ruthless cunning and the uncanny ability to turn t