The Ilocos Times

  A portion of the Ilocos Norte highway is free of any obstruction. (Lei Adriano) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Ilocos Norte’s Second Engineering District is up for another round of road sweep as it started its “Operation Baklas” to clear the national highway’s right of way. Since February 21, 2018, the DPWH along with personnel from the Philippine National Police started to remove obstructions to ensure smooth flow of traffic and prevent road accidents. Under Department Order No. 73 series of 2014, Engr. Mathias Malenab cited some prohibited uses within the right of way. These include all kinds of temporary and permanent structures such as buildings, houses, shanties, stores, shops, stalls, sheds, canopies, billboards, signages, advertisements, fences, walls, railings, basketball courts, barangay halls, and garbage receptacles among others. According to Mr. Malenab

US ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim helped put the finishing touches on the mural.   Right: The Doodle Art Enthusiasts (DAE) community teamed up with Kris Abrigo to bring the mural to life. Ambassador Kim (center) and Counselor for Public Affairs Carolyn Glassman (right) with (from left to right): DAE muralist Daryl Andre Victoria, Franz Lawrence Rafols, King Jaed Miranda, Larrysa Latade, Patrice Palisoc, artist Kris Abrigo, DAE creative director Lei Melendres, and DAE muralist Gelo Morales.   Manila —United States of America ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim joined Kris Abrigo and young artists from Doodle Art Enthusiasts (DAE) at the Youth Art Collab culminating event to put the finishing touches on a mural celebrating the longstanding US-Philippine relationship at the American Center of the US embassy.   The embassy launched the Youth Art Collab mural project in honor of Philippine National Arts Month, celebrated every February.   The young artists and the Emba

Women-farmers spend more time and receive lower wage than their male counterparts! The exhibit at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija in celebration of the Women’s Month this March showcased this issue. In the exhibit titled, “The Land Nurturers,” photo stories show that women outnumber the men by 2% during planting season. They also spend two days more than the men in harvesting and about three days more in drying the rice grain. Dr. Diadem B. Gonzales-Esmero, PhilRice Gender and Development focal person, said the exhibit aims to increase awareness on the conditions of the women-farmers. “The contributions of women in rice farming are not noteworthy, but their issues are not given much attention. Other than working hours and wage, we also learned that they also have the least access to some services. These are based on data we gathered from three international and national studies and int