The Ilocos Times

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —City election officer Atty. Julius Harvey Balbas said the local Commission on Elections (Comelec) office has resumed the continuing registration of voters on November 14, 2016. Earlier, Comelec Resolution 10166, promulgated on October 25, 2016, called for the resumption of registration to start on November 7, 2016; however due to the impact of supertyphoon “Lawin” [Haima], which resulted in destroyed local Comelec offices’ equipment, the resumption of registration was moved to November 14, 2016. Laoag, along with San Nicolas, Pagudpud, Banna and Sarrat all suffered equipment issues after the supertyphoon; hence all moved their resumption of registration to November 14, 2016. Mr. Balbas revealed that their computers were destroyed during the supertyphoon’s rampage in the province. With the resumption of registration, Mr. Balbas explained that applications for registration, transfer/transfer with reactivation, reac

Batac City —The Sangguniang Panlungsod in this city passed two resolutions authorizing Batac mayor Albert D. Chua to enter into contracts with two government agencies regarding lots at the Batac Government Center. The resolution authorizes Mr. Chua to enter into a contract with the Batac Water District (BWD) through a deed of usufruct. The contract will be for a 684 square-meter lot to be used as BWD’s main office for 20 years. The lot is at the city government-owned Batac Government Center. The other resolution authorizes the mayor to assign an area of 728 square meters also at the government center for the use of the City Prosecutor’s Office (CPO). Currently, the CPO is at the Bulwagan ng Katarungan Building; however due to the increase of their workforce, the current space they are occupying is no longer conducive for productive work. The twin resolutions were sponsored by Batac councilors Mary Collen Cajigal, Bernard Marders and Batac Liga ng mga Barangay presiden

The Laoag dumpsite before the massive cleanup (Alwin Formantes) The Laoag dumpsite after the massive cleanup (Alwin Formantes)   By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter   Laoag City —Brgy. Lagui residents assailed the proposed expansion and conversion of the existing controlled dumpsite here into a sanitary landfill.   In a recent assembly and consultation, the residents questioned the operation of the dumpsite and the plan to convert it into a landfill.   Laoag City government department heads also attended the said consultation, where the residents complained about the foul odor emanating from the dumpsite. They also raised concerns on the health hazards presented by liquid coming from the dumpsite.   The residents told The Ilocos Times that they believe their wells are no longer safe; they disclosed that the water’s color has turned “brownish”.   Brgy. Lagui chairperson Rey Ramos, meanwhile confirmed the opposition of his constituents on the pla

ONE  of the modular sessions among left-behind OFW family in Santiago, of San Fernando City in La Union. (DSWD) By Iryn D. Cubangbang DSWD One hundred left-behind family members of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are now attending series of sessions to eventually improve their coping mechanisms and resiliency while loved ones are working abroad.  These modular sessions include social costs of migration, financial management, and addressing family issues conducted by OFW facilitators.  Also included in the package of programs are family case management, capability building, coordination and networking, school-based services, and information and education campaigns. Implemented only in three regions in the entire country, this social technology project dubbed as “Strengthening and Empowerment of OFW families Towards Family Preservation” was launched recently at Sea and Sky Hotel and Restaurant in San Fernando City, La Union. Families are from Brgys. Santiago

Model Families 2016. The Families of Mr. & Mrs. Eusebio T. Maximo of Barangay 57 Pila and Mr. & Mrs. Fabian L. Felix of Barangay 51-B Nangalisan West are the Model families of Laoag for 2016.  (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —The city government here recognized this year’s model families in an awarding held November 4 at the Laoag City Auditorium. The model families are the Maximo family of Brgy. 57 (Pila) for the non-professional category; and the Felix family of Brgy. 51-B (Nangalisan West) under the professional category. The Maximo family is led by Eusebio T. Maximo; while the Felix family is led Fabian L. Felix. City population commission officer Janet Retamal said the two families received P5,000 cash, trophy and plaque each. Named as runners up for the non-professional category are the families of Rachel Salvador od Brgy. 34-A (Gabu Norte); and Cesar N. Julian of Brgy. 19 (Sta. Marcela). For the profes

During the course of removal proceedings, an Immigration Judge or the Board of Immigration Appeals may find it necessary or, in the interests of justice and fairness to the parties, prudent to defer further action for some period of time. There are two ways to defer further action: continuation and administrative closure. Continuance may be appropriate to defer further action on immigration proceedings, such as to await additional action required of the parties that will be or is expected to be completed within a reasonably certain and brief period of time. Under the regulations, 8 CFR 1003.29, continuance may be granted at the Immigration Judge’s own instance or for good cause shown at the request of a party. Continuation keeps the case on the Immigration Judge’s calendar. Administrative closure is a procedural tool created for the convenience of the Immigration Courts and the Board. Matter of Avetisyan, 25 I&N Dec. 688, 690 (BIA 2012).  Administrative closure may be appro