The Ilocos Times

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter BATAC CITY—Ilocanos need not to go far from their families to study medicine or for treatment as the state-run Mariano Marcos State University announced the opening of its College of Medicine this June, expected to provide quality medical and healthcare education to aspiring Ilocano doctors. Living to its long-time tradition of producing topnotchers in the fields of nursing, pharmacy and education among others, MMSU President Miriam E. Pascua said the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has officially approved the operation of the medical college with limited 25 slots to compose the first batch of enrollees. “First, it would address the need for medical practitioners in our province because at present, we lack doctors who will attend to the needs of our patients. Imagine transporting our patients to Manila or Baguio for treatment which would be too expensive on the part of our provincemates,” Ms. Pascua said. In 1996, MMSU prop

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG City —Ilocanos in this northern part of Luzon has voluntarily submitted themselves to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing, the Department of Health continue to spearhead. In support of the DOH declaration as National HIV Testing Week on May 11 to 15, acting Provincial Health Officer Josephin Ruedas said medical technologists are conducting free testing in three government hospitals in the province such as the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in Batac City, Laoag City General Hospital and the Gov. Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital also in Laoag City. Ms. Ruedas hopes more at-risk individuals such as those working in videoke bars or any interested individual will have themselves tested as it is a means of protection not only for their own selves but also for their loved ones. According to health practitioners, anyone who practices unsafe sex can get infected regardless of age, sex, race, income or

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Motorists and commuters in the province urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and its contractor working on a P14.6 million road widening project along the national highway at Brgy. Nangalisan here in Laoag City to work double time to ease traffic woes particularly during rush hours.  Dept. of Public Works and Highways’ Ilocos Norte first district engineer Nestor Pasion said the 520-meter long project commenced on February 12 and the contractor is given at least 155 days or until July 15 to finish the project. According to Mr. Pasion, a local contractor, DJMC Construction is working overtime to complete the project ahead of schedule. As of press time, the progress of work is now at 80 percent complete. For his part, Engr. Danilo Tuledanes has appealed to motorists and commuters to bear with the temporary inconvenience as his men are working double time to finish the project in three months instead of

Click photo for the PDF file

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Except for the temporary suspension of on-going road widening projects due to typhoon “Dodong” that hit Northern Luzon, Ilocos Norte residents are grateful for the rain brought by ‘Dodong’ as it came just in time when farm lands are drying up. “We are thankful for the rain. The trees, the grass and our crops were revived,” said Rogelio Ceredon, president of the Municipal Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Dingras town. Amidst early warnings putting Ilocos Norte up to Typhoon Warning Signal No. 2, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Resiliency Council has no recorded damages so far, bringing light to moderate rains in this northern part of Luzon. As early as May 9, the PDRRMRC has activated the Operations Center and provincial resiliency clusters as well as preparation of relief goods and equipment for rescue and relief operations. With light to moderate rains and some thunder early May 11, Iloco

  By Dominic B. dela Cruz & Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporters LAOAG CITY—Under the scorching heat of the sun, firefighters from Laoag City and nearby towns help contain a razing fire traced inside a warehouse along the Gen. Segundo Ave., this city. Fortunately, nobody was reported hurt. Witnesses said the fire broke out Wednesday morning [May 6] at about 9:15 am in a warehouse of Motion Hardware. Firefighters immediately issued a third alarm as it took firefighters more than two hours to beat the raging fire as the warehouse contains highly combustible materials including paints and acetylene. Estimated costs of damages based on the assessment of the owner reached P500,000. The origin of the fire was traced from a welding activity. F/Senior inspector Bonifacio Sacatrapos said the 1st to 3rd fire alarm was raised. This alarm prompts fire truck from nearby municipalities to respond. The hardware warehouse is owned by Edward Chua and managed by A

Honolulu-Candon ties. (From left) Honolulu Council Chairman Ernie Martin, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, Candon City Mayor Ericson Singson, and Candon City Council Chairwoman Rhodana Cortez Abrero sign the agreement. In witness of this significant and historical event in the life and history of both cities, the signing of the Sister City Agreement was held at the Mission Memorial Auditorium in Honolulu, Hawaii, on May 7 at 2:30 in the afternoon. The program was emceed by Executive Director Nicole A. Velasco of the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development. The signing ceremony was well-attended—attendees included the Honolulu City Council, Caldwell Administration cabinet, Congressman Mark Takai and representatives of the Hawai‘i Congressional Delegation, members of the State Legislature, and officials from the Philippines Consulate  They were joined by members of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawai‘i, Filipino Business Women’s Association, Candonians of Hawai‘i,