The Ilocos Times

AT LEAST 297 Filipino Expats from Libya assisted by Overseas Workers Welfare Administration- Regional Welfare Office 1 (OWWA-RWO1) through the Financial Relief Assistance Program (FRAP) The OWWA-RWO1 continues to assist repatriated OFWs from war-torn Libya through the Financial Relief Assistance Program (FRAP) worth P10,000. As of February 12, 2015, RWO1 has already assisted a total of 297 Libya repatriates comprising of 17 OFWs from Ilocos Norte, 37 from Ilocos Sur, 68 from La Union and 175 from Pangasinan. As per the master list of Libya Repatriates from the Membership Processing Center (MPC) of OWWA, 246 OFWs have been repatriated to the Philippines, while 98 OFWs reported to RWO1 but were not included in the list. As of February 12, 2015, a total of 344 OFWs in Region 1 have been repatriated from Libya. The FRAP, which was approved by the OWWA Board of Trustees through Board Resolution No. 7, Series of 2014, intends to extend P10,000 financial grant to the OFWs (bo

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Laoag City —The major proponent of a multi-million solar power project in Currimao town, about 25 kilometers from Laoag City has been barred from cutting almost a thousand trees to give way for the establishment of a 20-megawatt (MW) solar project here. This came following the February 2 Sangguniang Panlalawigan resolution abrogating the lease agreement entered into by and between the provincial government and Mirae Asia Energy Corporation, a South Korean power firm which initiated the project in 2012. During the deliberation at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Atty. Joel Garcia, chairperson of the committee on environment recalled that the Mirae assured that it has sufficient fund to finance an initial US$15 million capitalization of the proposed Currimao solar project. However, it turned out that Mirae does not have enough operational capital, prompting the latter to sell its shares to Soleq Philippines Inc., a firm backed by the Equi

“We expect people who live in this country to play by the rules. We expect that those who cut the line will not be unfairly rewarded. So we’re going to offer the following deal: If you’ve been in America for more than five years; if you have children who are American citizens or legal residents; if you register, pass a criminal background check, and you’re willing to pay your fair share of taxes -- you’ll be able to apply to stay in this country temporarily without fear of deportation. You can come out of the shadows and get right with the law. That’s what this deal is.” These are the exact words of President Obama in granting amnesty to millions of illegal aliens who are parents of children who are American citizens or legal residents in his speech on November 20, 2014. Is not the President contradicting himself by saying that we expect people “to play by the rules” and that “those who cut the line will not be unfairly rewarded”, and yet grants amnesty to those who do not play b

Rome—The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has chosen the SIB (Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics) as a designated reference center to expand its access to state-of the-art technology in combating dangerous viral infections, including avian influenza and foot-and-mouth disease, in farm animals and wildlife. The SIB is equipped with high performance computers, software, databases and a knowledgebase used for screening and monitoring zoonotic diseases. These, like avian influenza, also known as bird flu, strike animals but can also be transmitted to humans. Working closely with FAO, SIB experts have developed tools to improve early detection and fast alert systems to prevent and respond to transboundary disease emergencies in poultry or livestock. "The new technology helps us understand biological threats in order to help countries better prevent, respond and ultimately protect the health of humans, animals and the environment," said FAO's Chief Vete

Nestled at the northern edge of Luzon island, the Indigenous Peoples of Adams, Ilocos Norte composed of the Yapayaos, Isneg, Bagbag-o and Kankana-ey live harmoniously amidst diverse cultural beliefs and traditions. (Lei Adriano) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Adams, Ilocos Norte —In a move to promote Adams, Ilocos Norte to a greater heights, at least five representatives from the municipal local government unit here attended a three-day world conference on tourism and culture in Siem Reap, Cambodia on February 4-6, 2015. Bringing together for the first the ministers of tourism and ministers of culture, the town of Adams in Ilocos Norte, a home to a diverse culture and a melting pot of different identities, beliefs and traditions represented the Philippines as stakeholders to help identify key opportunities and challenges and learn from sharing of world regions. “The material culture found in Adams is rich in terms of social significance and social sentiments a

A nego-kart vendor in Solsona. (Lei Adriano) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Solsona , Ilocos Norte—Ambulant vendors struggle to make both ends meet. This time though, the Nego Kart Association of Solsona are inspired to keep going. Thanks to the local government unit of Solsona in cooperation with the Public Employment Service Office and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for giving away at least 20 units of nego-kart or the so-called “Negosyo sa Kariton”, a bicycle unit with a side car which can contain various goods such as fruits and vegetables including street foods sold in front of schools, government buildings and households among others. At the opening of the Gameng Village   on Jan. 30 , several ambulant vendors with their brand new nego-karts displayed their merchandise here as local residents, guests and visitors bought from them. For Carmela Aguinaldo, one of the vendors in one of the schools here, she said the nego-kart livelihood as

A police CART at the Laoag City Belltower (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —The local government here has expressed support to the police Community Assistance and Referral Team (CART) program established by the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (INPPO). Laoag police chief P/Supt. Jeffrey T. Gorospe presented the project proposal to Laoag Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas, who immediately approved it. Mr. Gorospe said the new INPPO project is a system of deploying police patrollers in areas of convergence, tourist destinations or identified crime-prone areas where strong police presence is needed. The police CART consists of two male and a female police officers and bears semblance of a mobile mini police station where the community could immediately seek assistance, refer cases and provide information on matters concerning peace and order. Police personnel manning the police CART will be equipped with basic load of armament, comm