The Ilocos Times

Following the conclusion of the 3 rd United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, hosted by Japan last March, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) offers relevant input on how the country’s decision-makers can improve the Philippines’ disaster risk reduction and response framework. Drs. Marife M. Ballesteros and Sonny N. Domingo, research fellows at PIDS, argue that despite the fact that the Philippines has an elaborate framework for disaster risk reduction management (DRRM), there is a critical “gap in policy execution”. This gap leaves sectors like micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to suffer crippling economic loses when disasters strike. The authors believe that the problem lies in a number of things, which can be summed up as the ineffective translation of the national framework into localized and sectoral plans. Their discussion paper, titled Building Philippine MSMEs Resilience to Natural Disasters, reviewed the current poli

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By Alfredo Garvida Jr. Contributor   The rush of construction activities in Ilocos Norte is defining the upsurge of commerce in this place, which uplifted in effect this province's economic state in the context of employment and taxation needs. Whereas on the employment side the impact is visible and notably felt in this province's residents, there is grave concerns on the taxes side however if the call of some influential members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to abolish the Provincial Quarry Council of Ilocos Norte on reasons of this office's ineffectiveness in timely processing quarry applications, alleging as well the prevalence of corruption, is substantiated. SP member Joel Garcia has lately upped the ante on this issue with his allegation that the quarry fees due to the stakeholders, i.e., the province, municipalities, barangays, etc., have drastically and noticeably gone down since the creation of the Council, an assertion that seems to be fortifying th

RA Form No. 10.1 (LCRO) Republic of the Philippines Local Civil Registry Office Province of Ilocos Norte Municipality of Bangui NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION    In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that RAFAEL EARL A. RUFFNER has filed with this Office a petition for change of first name from EARL to RAFAEL EARL in the birth certificate of EARL AGULLANA RUFFNER who was born on July 12, 1959 at Bangui, Ilocos Norte and whose parents are Earl B. Ruffner and Generosa M. Agullana.    Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than July 20, 2015. (SGD) GLORIA B. AMUDO Municipal Civil Registrar July 6-12, 13-19, 2015*IT ________________________________________________ DEED OF ADJUDICATION AND ABSOLUTE SALE             Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of the late REYNALDO P. JUAN consisting of a residential lot designated as Cadastral Lot

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter June 26, 2015 BATAC CITY—The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) broke ground for the first cultural center in Northern Luzon on July 2, in time for the 86 th  birthday celebration of former first lady and now Ilocos Norte 2 nd  district Rep. Imelda R. Marcos. In her speech during the groundbreaking, Mrs. Marcos said the cultural center project is very important as she said “Culture is nature and nature is the law of God.” “We are doing not something physical, not something material, not something intelligent but we are doing something spiritual. Because we are bringing out the soul of the Ilocanos to show to the world how beautiful, purely and great we have”, Mrs. Marcos added. She also disclosed that she is very excited and happy as the groundbreaking coincided with her 86 th birthday celebration. The bigger Batac Cultural Center has long been envisioned by Mrs. Marcos to showcase the artistry and creat

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Batac City —The Batac Sangguniang Panlungsod gave its full backing on the ongoing “golden rice” field trials being undertaken by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in this city. Batac councilor Violeta D. Nalupta, who sponsored the resolution supporting the project, announced their full support for this after all members of the city council expressed their favorable action on the measure. The Ilocos Times learned that there was prior field trial for the same program in the past but this did not yield satisfying results. In view of this, Ms. Nalupta, who chairs the council’s agriculture committee, said they need to continue the field trials using different varieties as there would be many benefits one the trials give better results. Based on research, the golden rice is rich in Vitamin A which prevents cancer, help builds immunity of children, helps perform bodily functions, plays a direct role in performing p

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