The Ilocos Times

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—About 23 baby marine turtles, locally known as “pawikan”, emerged from their nest near a picnic area at Brgy. Pagsanahan Norte in Badoc, Ilocos Norte and crawled into the open sea to begin their voyage from their birth place. A villager Danlito Gamaio witnessed this as he was supposed to gather seaweeds at about 6:30 a.m. he immediately reported the said incident to the barangay chairperson and the nearest office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR). According to the barangay’s residents, their coastal village is a favorite nesting place of sea turtle. Through information drive from environmentalists, some people here have become aware that sea turtles are endangered species and must be protected. Rhoel Valdez Marcelo, ecosystems management specialist of the DENR confirmed this as he reported another villager Roman Madalipay narrated that on December 28 last year, he saw a sea t

Piddig mayor Georgina Salazar-Guillen with a Piddig graduate. (Berong Ver) By Bernard Ver Contributor PIDDIG, Ilocos Norte—The municipal government here, led by mayor Georgina Salazar-Guillen gave “grants for the grads” in a bid to boost students’ enthusiasm to study harder. The Piddig government sourced the funding for the project from the supplementary funding support to public basic education. Under the program, high school valedictorian receives PHP20,000; PHP 15,000 for salutatorian; PHP10,000 for the first honorable mention; and PHP 5,000 each for second and third honorable mentions. For elementary pupils, the class valedictorian receives PHP5,000; PHP3,000 for the salutatorian; and PHP2,000 for the first honorable mention. Mrs. Guillen emphasized that the fund is different from the Special Education Fund (SEF). The SEF comes from an additional one percent tax on real property that LGUs are mandated to impose and collect by virtue of Republic Act 716

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—The Ilocos Norte provincial government is cracking down on government officials and their direct descendants on going to casinos, cockpit arenas and other gambling areas. The crackdown stems from a memorandum circular from Malacañang prohibiting all government employees in casinos and other forms of gambling. Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos reiterated this recently as she directed personnel of the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office to implement President Duterte’s order. Memorandum Circular No. 06 issued by the Office of the President enjoins all government workers to observe the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees by promoting high standard of ethics in public service and to live modest lives and uphold public interest over personal interest. Pursuant to Presidential Decree (PD) No. 1067-B, series of 1977 and as amended by PD 1869, series   of 1983

By Bernard Ver Contributor Sarrat , Ilocos Norte—The local government here began enhancing its welcome arch. Former Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. was born in this town. Mayor Remigio B. Medrano personally checked on the project’s development on April 19, 2018. Mr. Medrano, an engineer, said he seeks to innovate their landmarks through advanced crafts that visualize Ilocano culture. He added that he wants to use century-old Hispanic styles by installing local bricks which he will associate with modern designs. In the Philippines, welcome arches are considerably the most noticed landmark of a certain place; a structure that welcomes the people upon entering a place and noteworthy for boundaries of different territories.

By Bernard Ver Contributor LAOAG CITY—Provincial officials said an estimated 500,000 tourists visited the province during the Holy Week. They also mentioned that they expect more influx of tourists in the province for the coming holiday and summer season, as well as the shifting of the country’s school calendar. Among the top destinations in the province include the St. Augustine Church in Paoay; the Kapurpurawan rock formation in Burgos; the windmills of Bangui; the Blue Lagoon at Balaoi, Pagudpud; La Milagrosa Cove and Gateway of Badoc; Marcos Heritage Trail in Sarrat; Davila Seafood Area; the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse in Burgos; and the Empanada food stalls and church of Batac City. Tourists are coming in both from land and air. Bus companies servicing the Ilocos Norte route said they are ready to cater to the tourists. Laoag International Airport (LIA) manager Ronald Estabillo, for his part, said the airport is ready to welcome both domestic and forei

San fernando city , La Union—Ilocos Norte governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos called for closer cooperation and a “hierarchy of control” among government agencies tasked with ensuring road safety in light of recent accidents in the Ilocos Region resulting in several fatalities. Speaking before the Road Safety Summit, Ms. Marcos said: “In many cases, the DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways] and LGUs [local government units] have been unable to provide adequate safety precautionary measures to prevent accidents and fatalities.” The regional offices of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) conducted the summit at the La Union Provincial Capitol on April 30, 2018. As chairperson of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC), the Ilocos Norte governor initiated the immediate gathering of agencies and stakeholders of the transport and road sectors at the last RPOC meeting on April 18, 2018 in Lingayen, Pang