The Ilocos Times

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—To promote a more active lifestyle and overall wellness in the community, the Ilocos Norte government plans to establish more three-generational (3G) playgrounds and fitness parks in several schools in the province. A 3G-park refers to a communal space wherein children, adults and the middle-aged, and seniors can come together and engage in active play or exercise in an environment that is both secure and ripe for recreation. To date, the provincial government has set up at least five 3G parks: beside the Provincial Capitol and at the municipal parks of Dingras, Badoc, Bacarra and Batac City. Since its public opening in December 2016, hundreds of families gather in these sites, aside from a trip to the malls, to divert children's time and attention from computers and other forms of technology at home. Funded by the provincial government through its special educational fund, Senior Sangguniang Panlalawigan member M

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Adams Ilocos Norte —Some students of the Adams National High School (ANHS) are going into wine-making business. As a growing eco-tourism destination for local and foreign tourists, this town is known as the “fruit bowl capital” of Ilocos Norte and became famous for its bugnay fruit wine and other local spirit wines such as tapuey (rice wine), roselle, dragon fruit, pineapple, lemongrass and turmeric among others. Inspired by the thriving wine industry here, Jessie Bayeng, Teacher 1 of the ANHS said Grade 11 and Grade 12 students are taking up entrepreneurship subject. The subject teaches the student how to process fruit wines and how to sell it in the market. “Our students learn how to ferment local fruits into wine and they are also required to make a business plan out of it,” said Mr. Bayeng. During the fruit season, these students gather whatever fruits available and ferment it for at least six months. After that, they

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—A provincial lawmaker is pursuing the passage of an ordinance to strengthen an anti- epal bill, prohibiting the display or posting of government official’s names and photos in all government projects, services and vehicles. Adopting Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers’ House Bill 3952, or the so-called Anti-Epal Act of 2016, Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Vicentito “Toto” M. Lazo said the proposed local ordinance, which is similar to Mr. Barbers, aims to give “more teeth” to the measure once approved by the provincial board. In a joint committee hearing, with mayors, councilors, barangay chairpersons as well as representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways and other local government units in attendance, held at the SP session hall, Mr. Lazo reiterated, “We are all guilty of epal but we should not tolerate such small things— for small things can become big.” Citing several measures such as t

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) was in Ilocos Norte on May 10, 2018 to promote responsible viewing among Ilocanos. In a press conference held at the Capitol Auditorium, Marisa Laguardia along with three other companions—Atty. Marites Candido, Paolo Santos and Pablo Reyes enjoined parents and guardians here to take an active role in self-regulating most specially their children at home. With the theme, “Matalinong Panonood Para sa Pamilya nina Juan at Juana,” the nationwide information campaign aims to empower the public, to guide and protect the welfare of the viewers, especially in determining the kinds of media and entertainment the children should consume and enable viewers to understand and appreciate ratings and classification system for film and television. “ Narito tayo ngayon para sa mas malawak na kaalaman ng mga manonood ,” said Ms. Laguardia as she enjoined Ilocos res

ATTY . Melvyn T. Guillermo (fourth from left), chief of the legal division of Department of Agrarian Reform-Ilocos Norte, led the delegation of DAR Ilocos Norte to the cascading of new policy issuances conducted by DAR Regional Office 1. The legal division of the Department of Agrarian Reform Regional Office 1 (DARRO1) recently held a cascading of new policy issuances, leveling-off activity and legal case monitoring system (LCMS) data updating workshop. The legal division personnel of the different provincial offices of DAR in the entire region attended the activity held in Baguio City. Atty. Armi Christie C. Pe Benito, chief of the legal division of DARRO1, said among the topics discussed was Administrative Order No. 2-2018 of DAR Secretary John R. Castriciones. The said administrative order pertains to “the 2018 omnibus rules for cancellation cases of emancipation patents, certificates of land ownership awards and other titles issued under any agrarian reform pro

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Laoag City —The National Food Authority (NFA) and other rice stakeholders displayed several truckloads of rice in front of the Provincial Capitol on April 25, 2018. The move ensures a stable supply of good, quality rice in the market. Dubbed as “Tulong sa Bayan,” traders, millers and retailers sell rice to consumers at PHP39 per kilo in support of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s effort to make affordable commercial rice while waiting for replenishment of National Food Authority (NFA) rice buffer stocks. In Ilocos Norte, they delivered the first batch of low-priced commercial rice in Laoag and Batac City outlets on April 25. NFA officials said “This effort is a joint project of the Office of the President, the Confederation of Grains Retailers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (GRECON), the Philippine Confederation of Grains Associations (Philcongrains) and NFA.” For Ilocos Norte vice governor Eugenio Angelo M. B

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Around 500 agricultural patents were distributed to Ilocos Norte farmers on April 22, 2018 courtesy of the government. Led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, Land Registration Authority, Department of Agrarian Reform and the Regional Trial Courts, Victor Dabalos, provincial environment and natural resources officer of the Ilocos Norte said the Handog Titulo Program aims to lessen boundary conflicts and confirms ownership of land occupants. As part of the 10-point agenda and priority programs of the Duterte administration on improved land administration and management, Mr. Dabalos said the program works both ways for the government and its people. “This is in line with our president’s desire to promote social justice through equitable distribution of lands in order to spur progress and development. It increases the collection of