The Ilocos Times

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Burgos , Ilocos Norte—Teachers, parents and other concerned groups banded together in this year’s Brigada Eskwela to prepare schools all around the province for the new school year. At Burgos Agro-industrial School (BAIS) in this town, the school is now all set to welcome more than 800 learners on June 4, 2018 with its well-polished classrooms, newly-painted walls, clean playground and re-energized teachers after they went through a series of self-mastery and capacity building. On May 25, 2018, almost a thousand Brigada Eskwela volunteers both from public and private sectors gathered at the Burgos school as they removed dust and cobwebs in school classrooms, arranged cluttered chairs, pruned trees and cleaned pathways. In an interview, BAIS principal Josephine Pascual, said she is very thankful for the show of solidarity and volunteerism among the entire community of Burgos including other stakeholders who shared their ti

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Badoc , Ilocos Norte—This town unveiled a marker of the pontifical coronation of La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc on June 29, 2018. Just like during the pontifical coronation of the blessed Mother, Cesar Jade Raquel, Badoc municipal tourism officer said the unveiling ceremony drew hundreds of Catholic faithful from the different towns of the province and in nearby provinces. With the unveiling of the marker at the St. John the Baptist Parish, the church containing the enshrined La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc, Mr. Raquel expressed optimism the number of visitors here will further increase due to the so-called ‘faith tourism.’ Gifted with heritage churches and natural landmarks, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte through its Ilocos Norte tourism office acknowledged there is a growing interest in faith tourism here as several travel agents are offering some tour packages regarding this purpose. As this developed, Mr.

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Several farmer-leaders from various parts of the province gathered together for a two-day training to get to know more about modern biotechnology. Organized by the Asian Farmer's Regional Network (ASFARNET) Philippine chapter, an organization of farmers and interested stakeholders promoting the interests of the farmers through technology, knowledge, communication and exchange activities, the farmers IEC (information, education and communication) training-workshop held at a Laoag hotel on May 3-4, provided participants relevant information about biotechnology and serves as an option for farmers to grow their income. For an organic farmer like Romeo Ganiron of Brgy. Ben-agan in Batac City, he said the training is essential for them to become aware of the latest trends and developments in agriculture and to be able to come up with wise decision later. “Biotechnology is something we are also concern about. But we need

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—The bicentennial “Tienda ni Gob” trade fair attracted more than 50 micro, small and medium entrepreneurs and local government units. Organized by the Department of Tourism in partnership with the Ilocos Norte provincial government, the trade fair aims to strengthen entrepreneurship and to uplift the living conditions of the Ilocanos. The weeklong event was part of the continuing celebration of the 200 th founding anniversary of the province. A motorcade kicked off the opening of the province’s biggest and grandest summer trade fair that began on May 16 and ended on May 22, 2018 at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena, this city. “The trade fair [showcased] the various products and services of the Ilocanos that have created an impact on the advancement of Ilocos Norte as a province,” said Maricor Racela, DTI-Ilocos Norte event coordinator. Home-grown entrepreneurs like Agnes Asuncion of Currimao, Ilocos Norte

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Following the suspension of quarry activities at the Bolo River in northern Ilocos Norte, government officials in the province formed a special task force to implement round the clock inspection, patrolling and compliance monitoring of all activities at the river. In a three-page Joint Special Order No. 1 series of 2018 signed by Victor Dabalos, Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Ilocos Norte officer-in-charge, Ilocos Norte police provincial director Cesar Pasiwen and Erme Labayog in his capacity as chairperson of the Provincial Quarry Council (PQC). The order states that “there is a need to rehabilitate the Bolo River system caused by unsystematic quarrying activities particularly at the low-stream part which is considered as highly critical water source. Serving as the blood line of local communities, the Bolo River system traces its headwater from the virgin forests of Calanasan in Apayao provin

The 2017 La Milagrosa Fluvial Procession (Alaric Yanos and Reu Dawner Flores) Badoc, Ilocos Norte —Ilocos Norte’s provincial patroness, La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc, is set for her pontifical coronation on May 31, 2018, highlighting the annual La Milagrosa provincial fiesta and further boosting the ongoing bicentennial celebration of the province. The second fluvial procession featuring several bancas along the coast of the La Milagrosa Chapel and cove at Brgy. La Virgen Milagrosa, this town at 4:00p.m. on May 26, 2018 will precede the coronation. “This is not just a celebration and parade, but also an act of thanksgiving to the Almighty accompanied with devout prayer,” shared Jade Ceasar Raquel, Badoc tourism officer. The procession ends with a reenactment of how La Milagrosa came to be the provincial patroness: old storied narrate that she to have arrived floating in a box along with the image of Sto. Cristo Milagroso between the shores of Brgy. Paguetpet in Bado

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Santiago , Ilocos Sur—Some residents living in a poor village in Dan-ar, Santiago, Ilocos Sur had always wanted to break away from poverty—until an opportunity knocks on their door sooner than expected. Under the Sustainable Livelihood Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office, the 23 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries of Dan-ar organized themselves into an organization as they underwent a skills training on chicken egg production. Carpenters, farmers and housewives populate the association. One year later, the egg farming facility of Dan-ar Poultry Sustainable Livelihood Program Association (SLPA) is now supplying quality eggs for the whole village consumption. Every day, the poultry can produce 4-10 trays of eggs. They sell them at PHP140.00 to PHP170.00 per tray depending on the eggs’ size. Makers of miki [rice noodles], which is a favorite Ilocano snack, school canteen mangers and store owner