The Ilocos Times

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Dingras , Ilocos Norte—The National Electrification Administration (NEA) named Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) board president into the Task Force Duterte Abra Power. The task force will manage the Abra Electric Cooperative ( Abreco ) following NEA’s takeover. NEA took over Abreco after the cooperative failed to pay more than PHP200 million in arrears to power suppliers. Other task force members are: NEA deputy chairman for electric cooperative management services Atty. Goldelio Rivera, chairperson; INEC president Reynaldo M. Lazo, ISECO president Gloria Corales, BENECO president Rocky Aliping, BENECO general manager Gerardo Verzosa, INEC general manager Engr. Felino P. Agdigos, ISECO general manager Engr. Egdon Sabio as members; NEA legal services department Manager Atty. Xerxes Adzuara; and NEA electric cooperative audit department Charito Mabitazan as ABRECO acting general managers.  

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—A travel company based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is set to explore the famous Paoay sand dunes of Ilocos Norte for possible tourism investment partnership. Rolly Galzote of the Ilocos Norte ’ s Investment Office (INvest) said the Royal Blue Tour, an international travel company that provides a one-stop travel solutions to tourists will arrive in the province on February 26 to conduct ocular inspection at the sand dunes of Paoay. INvest is the investment promotions and small business development arm of the Provincial Government. According to Mr. Galzote, the Dubai company visit is a “big deal” for Ilocos Norte as talks are on-going for the company to pour in some investments here. Since 2010, the provincial government in cooperation with the Palafox Associates has designed a Metro Ilocos Norte tourism masterplan where investors are welcome to partner with local government units h

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod here, headed by vice mayor and council presiding officer Michael V. Fariñas unanimously approved a resolution declaring Archbishop Edmundo Madarang Abaya, Emeritus of Nueva Segovia, Philippines as an adopted son of Laoag City. Councilor Franklin Dante A. Respicio, sponsor of the measure, said Mr. Abaya served as the Bishop of the Diocese of Laoag for more than two years; and that “it is but proper to declare the Bishop as adopted son of Laoag as he guided the church closer to the people”. The Bishop also adopted program, projects and activities that alleviated the difficulties of the marginalized sectors of society and promoted the protection and respect for human rights. Mr. Respicio identified the San Lorenzo Ruiz Medical and Dental Charity as one of Mr. Abaya’s foremost projects. The said project caters to the medical and dental needs of indigents t