The Ilocos Times

IF we really want to be in love, let’s fill ourselves first of all with the source of love who is none other than God. “Deus caritas est,” God is love, as St. John says, indicating the ultimate essence of God. And since we are his image and likeness, we cannot be other than men and women full of love, of God’s love. We have to be wary of distorting this fundamental truth about ourselves by simply generating our own kind of love that will always be limited, highly conditioned, effective only under what we consider to be favorable conditions. We have to make the effort to feel the love of God for us which he pours on us abundantly. That’s simply because unless we feel that love and get moved by it, we cannot manage to love as we ought to love. Let’s always remember that Christ himself commanded us to love one another as he himself has loved us. Christ makes himself the standard and source of our love. Otherwise, what may happen is that we may just rely on our own self-gene

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY — At least P100,000 awaits the witness/es who could lead to the immediate resolution of the February 18 bombing of two power towers in the mountainous barangay of Tadao in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte. According to June Arvin C. Gudoy, head of the Communication and Media Office, Ilocos Norte Governor Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos is urging all concerned individuals who has any information to come out in the open and help authorities in the investigation. “ The circumstances around the incident in Pasuquin is highly suspicious and controverted.  We are looking at all possible angles and we have not arrived at a conclusion.  However, the provincial government is offering 100,000 for information which might lead to the resolution of the incident, ” Ms. Marcos said in a text message. Police Supt. Leland Benigno, deputy for operations of the Ilocos Norte Provincial Police Office said that as of the moment, investigators have yet

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY — New castle disease or avian pest has struck about 9,000 commercial and backyard poultry farms here affecting at least seven municipalities in the province. So far, confirmed reports of avian pest were traced in Dingras, Marcos, Banna, Badoc Burgos, Bangui and Pagudpud. Provincial veterinarian Loida Valenzuela confirmed this as she reported livestock coordinators in the province are currently monitoring the situation in every Barangay. “ As of this morning [February 15], there are 9,000 birds affected. We need to have written reporting so we had already issued an advisory to all concerned livestock coordinators, ” Ms. Valenzuela said. Now considered an “ outbreak ” , the Provincial Veterinary Office is trying to help contain the situation though Ms. Valenzuela admitted they have limited resources to cover all the birds affected. Reports said avian pest has been contained in other parts of the Ilocos region bu

Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte arrives at the Provincial Capitol (Lei Adriano) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Laoag City —The “Solid North” is expected to go to Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos’ vice presidential bid; but Ilocanos, especially in Ilocos Norte is mixing and matching him with different “presidentiables”. As Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte visited the province recently, Ilocanos here are saying they could match him with Mr. Marcos. “We are supporting Senator Bongbong and Mayor Duterte because of what they spouse— disiplina at pagkakaisa para sa isang progresibong bansa . If we have discipline, we have peace and order. Wala tayong drugs, walang corruption,” said Retired Admiral Reuben Lista, convenor of the Alyansang Duterte-Bongbong or ALDuB for short.  “ Matagal ng wala tayong unity as a nation. Yun ang sinisigay ni Senator Bongbong, magkaisa tayo and with discipline which Mayor Duterte has shown in his stewardship in Davao,

Coronation of Mrs. Philippine Red Cross 2016 Ilocos Norte-Laoag City Chapter Crisma Cheryl Calderon of Batac City. Witnessing the coronation are Batac Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta, Batac Vice Mayor Ronald Allan Nalupta, several Batac councilors, department heads and relatives. The coronation was held at the Laoag City Basketball Court on February 16. (Doms dela Cruz)

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By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Batac City —The city government here proposed an annual budget of ₱ 437, 884,440.11 for CY 2016, or a budget 4% higher than last year’s budget of ₱ 422,237,434.80. Batac budget officer Wilma Icuspit said the city’s internal revenue allotment (IRA) share is expected to increase by 10% this year. Based on the proposed budget, the City Health Office has one of the highest budgets, followed by the offices of City Agriculture, City Engineering, City Mayor’s. However, since it is already the second month of 2016, Batac is currently under a reenacted budget. The 2016 budget will immediately be enacted once approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod and by Batac Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta. The proposed budget is presently at the city council for deliberation. Batac Vice Mayor Ronald Allan M. Nalupta said the council is still deliberating the proposed budget with department heads defending their respective allotments. Mr. Nalupt