The Ilocos Times

San Fernando City , La Union—The Ilocos Region economy grew by 5.8 percent in 2017, slower than its 8.5 percent growth in 2016. Services sector is the main driver of the growth, contributing 3.5 percentage points, followed by the industry sector with 1.8 percentage points and agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing with 0.5 percentage point. Services, accounting 51.9 percent of the region’s economy, grew slower with 6.8 percent in 2017. Only public administration and defense grew faster with 6.8 percent in 2017. The rest of its sub-sectors contributed positively to the growth but at a slower pace: other services with    8.2 percent; trade and repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles, personal and household goods with 7.7 percent; real estate, renting and business activities with 7.0 percent; financial intermediation with 7.0 percent; and transportation, storage and communication with 4.0 percent. Industry decelerated to 6.5 percent in 2017 compared to its 16.9 percent

By Anne Hazel F. Flores PIA SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union—With the aim of promoting gender awareness development, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) regional office staged the 1st all-female regional fire Olympics on April 19 and 20, 2018 at the Poro Point Baywalk. The BFP Region 1 office grouped the 75 female contenders into five teams according to their agency’s offices and competed for the championship trophy. The female competitors showed and proved that they are also capable of doing a man’s job as a fireman as they competed in games patterned after the actual work of firefighters. “Through the years, women have indeed proven that they are no longer the weaker sex but as strong as their male counterparts,” BFP regional director F/Sr. Supt. Maria Sofia B. Mendoza said. She added: “A lot of women have excelled in different fields but now in the fire service, an organization dominated by men, we women firefighters are empowered because we have been given an equ

NAVY ensign Tranz Aira Aguilar during an interview at the Provincial Capitol. (Berong Ver) By Bernard Ver Contributor LAOAG CITY—A Laoag City resident emerged as the top 11 th graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class Alab Tala 2018. Tranz Aira Aguilar, along with her father, Allen Aguilar, a triathlete from Brgy. 3, this city, paid a courtesy call on Ilocos Norte governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos at the Provincial Capital on April 16, 2018. Ms. Aguilar, in an interview, said she chose to join the Philippine Navy over the Army or Airforce, following her dream since her college graduation. Before she entered PMA, Ms. Aguilar graduated from her first course of Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRS) as magna cum laude in 2013 at a Laoag private university. She finished her secondary course at a Catholic-run school also in this city. As a ranking PMA graduate, she encouraged her fellow Ilocano youth to ex

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Rice farmers here are producing more than enough to feed over 593,000 residents here. National Food Authority Ilocos Norte provincial manager Eleonor Andres said the province has a rice surplus of 288 percent but traders are taking them out of the province to supply other provinces, including Metro Manila. The current buying rate for palay ranges from PHP23-24 per kilo. “The flow a palay buying is volatile. We hope our top management will consider the setting of higher price for palay so we could also buy from our farmers,” she said citing the NFA warehouse in the province remains empty. At present, NFA management has a very low PHP17 per kilo buying price set by the National Food Authority Council in previous years. Except for Laoag City, which NFA considers as “critical” in terms of rice production, Ms. Andres said Batac City and the 21 towns of Ilocos Norte reported a stable rice supply. The NFA

SOON TO RISE . A bridge connecting Vintar poblacion to barangays north of the Bislak River will soon rise in this area.  ( Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Vintar , Ilocos Norte—This town will soon have a bridge that will connect its poblacion area with barangays on the other side of the Bislak River. Rep. Rodolfo “Rudy” C. Fariñas (Ilocos Norte, 1 st district) initiated the project with an estimated fund of PHP300 million. Vintar vice mayor Amado Victor R. Racimo Jr. made the announcement. He said the Dept. if Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is conducting soil testing for the project. He said the bridge will measure at least 320 meters. The bridge will connect Vintar’s poblacion area to Brgys. Alsem, Salsalamagi, PF Alviar, Abkir, Columbia, Cabisuculan, Malampa and Manarang, all located north of the Bislak River. Brgy. Abkir kagawad Jojo Cumlat said that during the rainy season, barangays on the other side of the ri

Manila —The United States of America, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), announced an additional PHP182 million [US$3.5 million] to support ongoing humanitarian relief in Marawi.   This brings the total US government contribution to the Marawi response to nearly PHP1.4 billion [US$26.4 million]. The new assistance will enable USAID to partner with the Philippine government and humanitarian organizations to build transitional shelters for 58,000 internally displaced persons.   USAID will also coordinate with national and local government partners to expand protection services for women and children, help jumpstart the local economy through income-generating activities, and repair water and sanitation facilities. At a press conference, US ambassador Sung Y. Kim noted, “This is obviously very important work and we hope to do more in the coming years.”   He added that this demonstrates “the deep ties and unbreakable bond between the United Sta

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—At least 12 Ilocano students qualified for a Manila-based Buddhist school scholarship. The selected students from the different schools in the province will join other scholars of Guang Ming College and enjoy full scholarships, board and lodging, books, uniforms and school supplies, travel and international student exchange opportunities. Marina Giron of the Ilocos Norte Schools’ Division reported that “out of the 35 student-applicants, 12 passed the screening test.” Earlier this year, the Guang Ming College based in Malate, Manila reached out to the province of Ilocos Norte as it opened doors for Filipino students who want to pursue to pursue a degree in theater, performing arts and Buddhist Studies. Established in 2014, the GMC is the fifth member of Fo Guang Shan International University Consortium. GMC is known as an advocate of the so-called three acts of goodness namely: do good deeds, speak good words,