The Ilocos Times

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has banned all quarry operators extracting sand and gravel along the Bolo River in northern Ilocos Norte. In a May 13 cease-and-desist order issued by regional director Carlos Tayag, officer-in-charge of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), authorities found 14 quarry operators along the Bolo River covering the municipalities of Bangui, Dumalneg, Pagudpud operating without the necessary permit from the DENR or from the Ilocos Norte provincial government. On May 16, 2018, key officials of the DENR led by regional directors Reynulfo Juan, Ma. Victoria Abrera of the Environmental Management Bureau, Mr. Tayag of MGB and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Victor Dabalos served the order to the illegal quarry operators along Bolo river. Florante Nicolas, PENRO Ilocos Norte information officer identified the illegal quarry operators

Piddig Mayor Georgina Salazaer-Guillen chats with cancer patient Rizalinda dela Cruz. (Berong Ver) By Bernard Ver Contributor Piddig , Ilocos Norte—Doctors diagnosed Rizalinda dela Cruz, 48, a resident of Barangay Arua-ay, this town with a malignant tumor (advanced cancer)-stage IV, located on her right cheek of her face. She later became one of the beneficiaries of the Dept. of Social Work and Development (DSWD) cash assistance program. Piddig mayor Georgina Salazar-Guillen also extended her support to Mrs. Dela Cruz for her medicinal needs thru the “cash assistance” from the municipal social welfare development office (MSWDO) fund. Mrs. Dela Cruz is one of the beneficiaries of the DSWD Assistance to Individuals and Families in Crisis Situation (AICS) here. She discovered her disease last December 2017. She said that the she is encountering migratory pains and recently went to a doctor and undergone health examinations especially on her right cheekbone.

Education secretary Leonor Brione (middle) with Laoag mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas and Laoag division superintendent Joel Lopez. (Aceyork Guerrero) By Jennifer T. Pambid Contributor Laoag City —The city schools division office here hosted Dept. of Education Sec. Leonor M. Briones, who in turn, attended the Regional Management Committee special meeting at a hotel in the city on April 27, 2018. DepEd regional director Alma Ruby C. Torio chaired the special meeting attended by regional education officials, division superintendents and assistant superintendents. In her speech during the meeting, Ms. Briones congratulated Region 1 for being number one among other 17 regions in the country in terms of budget utilization. She also shared developments in the central office pertaining to the senior high school program, kindergarten policy, ICT program and improving the overall DepEd system, among others. “We have to rationalize the organization especially financial ma

Currimao , Ilocos Norte—The municipal government here, with the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) leading, in cooperation with the Sirib Ilocano Kabataan Association (SIKA) Inc. conducted an emergency coastal clean-up on May 6, 2018. The clean-up stemmed from social media posts that went viral, showing a large volume of plastic wastes floating along the Pangil Rock Formation here. Complaints reached the local government here on May 5, 2018, with regards to an unusual volume of garbage found along the shores of Barangay Pangil. Several people posted photos of waste materials at the Pangil rock formation in a social media site. Currimao mayor Gladys G. Cue reassured that upon receipt of the report, the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) acted accordingly. She reminded the public that they are implementing measures to maintain the cleanliness of the rock formation. She said they are imposing penalties and fine

The anniversary of the women’s club coincided with the 7 th  Binakol Festival of this town. Sarrat , Ilocos Norte—Gracing the 38 th anniversary of the Women’s Club Federation in this municipality on May 5, 2018, Ilocos Norte governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos encouraged the preservation and promotion of the town’s heritage loom-woven fabric, binakol . Over the past years, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) and the municipal government, in cooperation with various national agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), have started initiating activities that aims to revive the culture and industry of binakol weaving. Sarrat specifically produces binakol . It is one of the hand-woven fabrics produced in the province, together with the renowned abel Iloco produced in Paoay. Filipino designers have used both Ilocos Norte fabrics in making traditional clothing such as terno , maria

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—The Department of Education in Ilocos Norte said they need more professionals to fill in job vacancies for senior high school (SHS) this school year. According to schools division superintendent Vilma Eda, there specialized subjects in SHS which they need to fill up. Among these include technical vocational, Filipino, English, social studies, and music, arts, physical education and health (MAPEH) among others. “We ask our college graduates even those who do not have license yet to file their applications as we need more teachers for senior high program,” said Ms. Eda as she urged interested applicants to go the Ilocos Norte Schools Division Office in Laoag City to file their applications. Like in various parts of the country, Ilocos Norte is also facing the same challenge of filling up teaching positions for various tracks. Out of the 1.517 million students enrolled in Grade 11, DepEd records show majority or 60

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Pagudpud , Ilocos Norte—The largest resort in this town vows to lead the way in ensuring clean and sustainable tourism. “It’s a lesson learned to all of us in the tourism industry. We need to create a new order for tourism. One that is environment-friendly and sustainable in the years to come,” said retired Philippine Air Force Col. Ricardo Nolasco, proprietor of a Pagudpud resort. To strengthen its eco-tourism advocacy, the resort is on the forefront of organizing world-class beauty pageants which primarily aims to develop men and women who make it to their mission to help others change their habits for the good of the planet. Referring to the temporary closure of Boracay island as a sad event in the country’s tourism industry, Mr. Nolasco said all other tourism stakeholders need to develop and strengthen it without disregarding the environment.   “Generally, it is sad note for Philippine tourism, baka isipin nila lahat ng