The Ilocos Times

Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos leads the responding team during a typhoon last year (IT file photo) Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter May 29, 2014 LAOAG CITY—The Ilocos Norte provincial government is currently conducting emergency equipment mapping to anticipate the occurrence of natural disasters particularly with the onset of rainy season next month. Learning from previous experiences, Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos is leading the way to prepare Ilocanos in times of calamity which often strikes the province during the last quarter of the year. The provincial government also expressed fears that this may happen earlier now considering the abnormal weather phenomenon as a result of climate change. Ms. Marcos met with all concerned government agencies including Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA), Department of Public Works and Highways, Provincial Health Office, local government units and concern

Laoag Sanitary landfill file photo By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Laoag City —“We will look into it”. This was Laoag mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas’ reply to the claim of the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources that the Laoag sanitary landfill is just a controlled dumpsite. Ms. Fariñas said they are still waiting for the DENR’s official report detailing this claim. Since there is no official document yet alluding to this claim, Ms. Fariñas said she has no reaction on this yet. The landfill was a controlled dumpsite until 2007 when the DENR approved its conversion into a sanitary landfill. Ms. Fariñas has also approved a P3 million budget for the construction of a retaining wall around the landfill.

What clearer evidence is there of the Obama administration’s discriminatory treatment of children of legal immigrants versus its coddling of the children of illegal aliens than the USCIS’s denial of the retention of visa priority date for aged-out children of immigrants? Que pobrecito ! On June 9, 2014 (a day of immigration infamy), the U.S. Supreme Court  upheld, 6-3, the Obama administration’s policy of denying the retention of priority date for aged out children of immigrants. It held in effect that aged-out (21 years and over) children of immigrants with approved visa petitions must go back to the end of the visa line instead of retaining their already established priority date. Spearheading the majority (against the kids) were the so-called liberal justices Kagan, Kennedy, and Ginsburg. Spearheading the minority (for the kids) were the so-called conservative justices Alito and Thomas, joined by Sotomayor. Surprisingly or not surprisingly, Chief Justice Roberts and Justice

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte—In preparation for the onset of rainy season, the Ilocos Norte Provincial Health Office is now gearing up for its dengue prevention program to anticipate the rise of dengue cases during the months of June to September. Dr. Artemio Gambalan, PHO officer-in-charge said they are now currently reviewing their previous budget for the purchase of additional protective equipment and upgrading of fogging machines to be readily-available should there be an outbreak of dengue. In 2013, the PHO has allotted about P2.3 million for the prevention of climate change-related diseases such as dengue which is usually on the rise during rainy season. To prevent the spread of dengue, a team from the PHO has step up campaign for the conduct of information and education drive, reaching out to local communities to get rid of stagnant water as breeding sites of aedis aegypti, a daylight-biting female mosquito that spreads dengue

St. Augustine Church in Paoay By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte—The Diocese of Laoag lauded efforts of the provincial government jointly with  National Historical Institute and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in protecting and rehabilitating heritages sites including century-old churches here. To date, several restoration activities are lined up, among these are the St. Augustine Church in Paoay, St. Joseph church in Dingras and St. Anne parish in Piddig. Last year, rehabilitation of St. Joseph church’s façade began and early this year, the Dingras government helped in the improvement of the front lawn and its landscape with one of the most picturesque façades in the country. “Thanks for those who supported the reconstruction and restoration of our churches which are just some of the few remaining in the country after several old churches in Visayas and Mindanao were hardly hit by typhoon,” Laoag Bishop Renato

ONE of the mysterious aspects of the behaviour of Christ was his constant insistence not to be known as some kind of wonder-worker or superhero every time he performed a miracle. He had a kind of obsession to pass unnoticed. This behaviour somehow contrasted with his open desire to be known and considered by as many people as possible as the Son of God, the Redeemer of mankind. On one hand, he would always tell the beneficiaries of his miracles not to broadcast what he did. Rather he would instruct them to simply go to the priest and report what happened. When, out of extreme gratitude, these beneficiaries offered to join him in his journeys, he would tell them to go back home instead. When the hungry people, who were fed to satiety with just a few loaves and fish, wanted to make him king, Christ quickly withdrew to a mountain. Even after his resurrection, when he was supposed to be in a glorious state, those to whom he showed himself did not recognize him at first.