The Ilocos Times

  Dr. Rolando T. Cruz Highly cited PhilRice scientist and crop physiologist Dr. Rolando T. Cruz ended his 19 years of government service at the Institute, January 23. Dr. Cruz, who worked at the Agronomy, Soils, and Plant Physiology Division (ASPPD), was responsible for conducting systems analysis and simulation modelling for potential yield and nitrogen optimization in irrigated rice systems. In addition, he spent several years developing practical field diagnostic tools for plant nutrient status and evaluating chemical and physical properties of soil-plant-water interactions. To date, Dr. Cruz is the most cited PhilRice scientist with 1,221 citations both in local and international refereed journals. “When you are cited in scientific literature, it means you are a recognized scientist both nationally and internationally. Dr. Cruz gave PhilRice a name, and it’s a great honor for our Institute,” said Dr. Eufemio T. Rasco, Jr., executive director. He also led

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter San Nicolas , Ilocos Norte—The municipal government here is not only welcoming new investors; they are embracing them. San Nicolas Vice Mayor Alfredo “Boying” P. Valdez Jr. stressed this after several new investors have signified their intention to put up shop here. Recently, Accenture, a big business process outsourcing company, began their groundbreaking of their facility at Valdez Center. The planned Accenture building will have its first three floors open for other business establishments with the top floors reserved for the call center offices. Mr. Valdez explained that the fact that San Nicolas is between the two cities in the province—Laoag and Batac—has been a big factor in attracting investors here. Among the businesses that landed here is the first—and so far only—mall in the province. Mall extension He also disclosed that another five-storey building is expected to rise in front of the mall to serve as i

  Ryan Gamet By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Batac City —The city government here now has its own community affairs office (CAO) chief in the person of Mr. Ryan Gamet. Mr. Gamet was appointed by Batac Mayor Jeffrey Jubal C. Nalupta on February 2 and took his oath of office on February 10. Previously, Mr. Gamet served at the Office of the City Mayor for seven years. He vowed to give his best in his new post with the help and supervision of the City Planning and Development Office and the Dept. of Interior and Local Government. Mr. Gamet added that he and his office would strive hard to attain the goals and visions of the city government. He further disclosed that he will be open and would travel to the city’s different barangays to know what they need. He expressed hopes that his staff would also work harder to give the people faster and better services. He thanked the mayor for the trust given to him through his appointment. Mr. Gamet is one

Laoag City’s Pamulinawen Festival featuring “Dinaklisan” takes top honors in the Panagbenga Festival street dance competition open category. The competition was held March 1 in Baguio City. The win netted the Laoag participants P200,000. (Doms dela Cruz)

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Laoag City —A weeklong exhibit of women entrepreneurs showcasing various products and crafts kicked off on March 9 at the west wing of the Capitol parking lot to further promote their vibrant contribution to the local economy. Composed of processed food products such as longganisa , vinegar, rice coffee, tupig , souvenir crafts and accessories, abel cloth and other by products, soap bars, wine including fresh vegetables and plants,   the Gender and Development (GAD) Office of the provincial government has been assisting these women entrepreneurs to reach out to a wider market. In recognition of the vital role of women and the economy, Nelinda Erice of GAD said the provincial government continue to assist women entrepreneurs through its Lacasa loan program, providing financial assistance to women in need of a capital to start a business. In cooperation with the Provincial Social Welfare Office led by Lilian Rin, which provides l

IT WAS ONE of those typical—but quite rare—times for me when I force myself to attend a press briefer event. And since this was an event which fellow IT columnist Shermon Cruz and I have discussed before, I really had to force myself to go. The venue was NWU’s Hostel; the guest was the “running priest”, Fr. Robert Reyes.   As the guy is very popular since time immemorial, I thought I would again ran into a personality who is just so full of himself—just like other popular people. Going into the briefer, I had this perception of Fr. Reyes as a person who would protest for protest’s sake—and in the same vein, literally run for whatever reason he deemed fit. He was in the forefront during Erap’s ouster; and he donned his running shoes again to seemingly run from Batanes to Tawi-tawi in protest of the very person he—and his cohorts—successfully installed to replace Erap. So in hindsight, I already have a quite not-so-rosy mental picture of the man—and as such I did not exp

By Josefina T. Gonzales FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service The Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) developed a food bar suitable during emergency to help victims of calamities and disasters like typhoons, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and armed conflicts obtain appropriate nourishment. The rice crispy bar is made from expanded cereals and flour from legumes and oilseeds which provide energy and adequate protein. It comes in chocolate-coated, peanut-flavored and tropical fruit variants that provide delicious and quick sources of calories, protein, carbohydrates and fat. A 25-gram portion of tropical fruits-flavored food bar provides 4 percent of the protein and 5 percent of the energy requirement of a 4-6 year-old child daily. Rice crispy bar is ready-to-eat, appealing, and nutritious and light, therefore, easy to handle and transport. These bars are of good quality and are affordable emergenc