The Ilocos Times

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —The consulate of the People’s Republic of China in Ilocos Norte and Fort Ilocandia Resort and Casino (FIRC) donated an x-ray baggage scanner for the use of the Laoag International Airport on October 12. The security equipment was personally handed over by officials of the Chinese consulate and FIRC to LIA manager Ronald Estabillo with Ilocos Norte governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos also present. Mr. Estabillo thanked the Chinese officials led by consul and head of post Zhao Qiaoliang , and FIRC general manager Justine Yang for the donation. The baggage scanner, Mr. Estabillo said will be used for international arrivals. The LIA head also thanked Ms. Marcos for taking time to attend the turnover despite her hectic schedule. Meanwhile, Mr. Qiaoliang also expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to the people of Ilocos Norte for welcoming Chinese tourists from Guanzhong. This is the

BIZ-FRIENDLY . President Rodrigo Roa Duterte hands over two trophies for Laoag to mayor Chevylle V. Farinas and vice mayor Michael V. Farinas for winning the Most Business Friendly City under the component city category (3 rd  to 6 th  class) national level and for being a Hall of Fame Awardee for CY 2012, 2013 and 2016. The city also received a plaque of recognition from Fortune International Trading and a pledge for two classroom buildings. Assisting the President are officials of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce Inc. (PCCI). (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Manila —Laoag City emerged as the most business friendly component city (level 3) in the recently concluded Search for Most Business Friendly Cities and Municipalities. The award was given during the 42 nd Philippine Business Conference and Expo held at the Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom in Manila on October 12-13, 2016, This year’s win elevated Laoag City into the search’s Hall of

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has already submitted a budget proposal for the operationalization and implementation of the “Reintegration, Rehabilitation and Transformation Support for Recovering Drug Dependents” or Pillar III of the National Drug Rehabilitation Program. The DSWD acted on instructions from Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco to submit the proposal to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for consolidation and to get approval for it from Budget Sec. Benjamin Diokno. The proposal is for a total fund allocation of P1,452,982, 078.34 for CY 2016 October-December and 2017. The target participants are 37,916 drug surrenderees for the months of October to December 2016 (10% of 622,898 of drug surrenderees as of August 11, 2016. These are numbers based on records of the Philippine National Police); and 41,708 drug surrenderees from January-December 2017. “This effort to implement Pillar III: Aftercare, Reintegration and

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas approved the appointment of a new market master and city engineer. The Sangguniang Panlungsod has concurred with the appointments through a resolution. Sheila Marie Rapatan- de Leon is new market master while Engr. Roy Tomas assumes the position of city engineer. Ms. De Leon and Mr. Tomas personally presented themselves to the members of the council; they answered queries about possible problems on their appointments as well as on their new offices. Prior to her appointment, Ms. De Leon was posted at the Laoag City Commercial Complex for 12 years. She started as a rank-and-file employee until her rise to her current post. During their presentation at the council, Ms. De Leon disclosed that the market is “under control”. However, she also stated that the market’s roofing needs major repair. She also mentioned the lack of water supply, which is a perennial problem during summer. Mr

By Jennifer T. Pambid PGIN-CMO Laoag City —In order to further help the Ilocanos’ search for jobs, the Ilocos Norte’s government’s employment assistance program was incorporated in the Capitol Express in bringing services in various municipalities in the province. The said program aims to ease the problems of job hunters, especially those coming from the remote areas, such as lack of money and inaccessibility to the Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO). As the program goes mobile, applicants will not need to go to the Capitol building in Laoag City to get referrals and inquire for job openings from PESO. PESO officer Lizette Bitancor said they will be organizing a team which includes some company representatives seeking for employees. Their team will also bring other job listings from various companies whose representatives are not present during their scheduled visits. Applicants may bring their résumés and other supporting documents and b

Claudio Aceret of Bacarra holds his nine-day old piglet which was born with only two feet. (Doms dela C ruz)