The Ilocos Times

Batac City —Mayor Albert D. Chua said the equal sharing for all the barangays here will continue. However, it would not be the P1 million share for each barangay. He explained that the equal sharing in his administration would depend on each of the barangay’s respective projects. He stressed that barangays have different priority projects, hence the decision to change the scheme. With an initial ₱ 38 million budget for next year, Mr. Chua said he will address all priority projects to be presented by the barangays. He added that he will also give other city government services for free.  ( Dominic Dela Cruz )

  Laoag City —Police Supt. Edwin Balles said 8,000 of the 20,000 households in the city have been visited in their “Oplan Double Barrel”. “Double Barrel” is the nationwide police campaign against illegal drugs. In per barangay level, Mr. Balles explained this translates to 61 barangays, which is now declared as “drug-free”. He added that they still have to implement the program in the remaining 19 barangays. As of November 15, Mr.  Balles also said at 770 drug personalities have surrendered. He added that the police and barangay officials are strictly monitoring those who surrendered. The city government here is also offering free drug testing to all who surrendered. ( Dominic B. dela Cruz )

  Laoag City —Police Supt. Edwin Balles, Laoag police chief, said they are now in close coordination with various security agencies here to combat the possible entry of the ‘acetylene gang” in the city. Mr. Balles said they have met with security agencies here regarding the said gang. He stressed that one pawnshop in the city was already broken into by the said gang. He added that they suspect members of the gang to be from outside the province. In this regard, Mr. Balles asked managers and owners of financial institutions in the city, as well as other business establishments to be vigilant and to cooperate with the police and each other against the threat. He said security processes should be stepped up and closed-circuit television systems installed. The police also solicited the support of barangay tanods and other force multipliers to help them, especially in night patrols. Mr. Balles said the police will also patrol the city as well as install checkpoint

The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) announced that it has started mailing postal money orders (PMOs) for all valid deposit accounts with balances of ₱ 100,000 and below maintained with the closed Community Rural Bank of Dingras (Ilocos Norte), Inc. on November 17, 2016, 14 days after the bank’s closure on November 3, 2016. Eligible to receive early payments via PMOs are depositors with valid deposit balances of ₱ 100,000 and below; who have no outstanding loans with the closed bank, and who have complete mailing address in the bank records or updated this information through the PDIC Mailing Address Update Form (MAUF).  These PMOs may be encashed either with the local postal office or with the nearest branch of the Land Bank of the Philippines. Depositors who do not receive their checks are advised to contact the Public Assistance Department at telephone numbers (02) 841-4630 to 31, or e-mail PDIC at   pad@pdic.gov.ph . Depositors outside Metro Manila may

(Top row from left to right) DSWD-FO 1 ARD for Administration Nora D. Dela Paz, DSWD-FO 1            Senior Citizen Focal Person Edwina C. Masi, and DSWD-FO 1 Medical Officer III Mary Grace DV. Del Castillo together with SUPERB LOLO 2016 Wilfredo Rivera, SUPERB LOLA 2015 Belinda Barrozo, and SUPERB LOLA 2016 Gloria Managuira.  (DSWD) ­­­ “We will never be retiring because we will never get tired helping each other—helping our fellow older persons,” said Department of Social Welfare and Development-Field Office I (DSWD FO I) OIC assistant regional director for administration Nora D. Dela Paz during the recently held 6 th Regional Convention of the Local Social Welfare and Development Officers (LSWDOs), Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) Heads, and Regional Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines (RFSCAP) President at Hotel Veniz in Baguio City. Ms. Dela Paz also cheerfully announced to the participants the good news of the soon to be built “

Finally , former President Ferdinand E. Marcos was buried—at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LMNB), no less. In a surprise move, the former president’s family decided to inter his remains on November 18, 2016. A Philippine Air Force chopper airlifted the remains from Batac to the LNMB before noon. The former president was accorded military honors. Wish Ilocos Norte governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos said it was his father’s wish to be buried at the LNMB. “Finally, on this day the wish of my beloved father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos to be buries together with his fellow soldiers was finally fulfilled,” Ms. Marcos said. She added: “Me and my family wholeheartedly thanked those who have proven his right to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. First and foremost, to President Duterte who suggested this, to the Supreme Court who upheld the decision, and the thousands who showed their love and care for my family.” She also explained the