The Ilocos Times

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Solsona , Ilocos Norte—The Department of Trade and Industry unveiled another Negosyo Center to cater to residents of easternmost town of the province. This is now the 10 th Negosyo Center in the province, which DTI expects to boost economic growth and development among its business stakeholders. Other Negosyo Centers in the province are located in Laoag, Batac, Burgos, Bacarra, San Nicolas, Badoc, Dingras, Piddig and Banna. Led by DTI regional director Florente Leal and Solsona Mayor Alexander Calucag, a simple launching program and ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on September 6, 2018 at the Solsona Public Market where they established new center. According to Mr. Leal, it is the department’s aim “to bring government services closer to its people” and one way of doing so is to establish more Negosyo Centers in the Philippines. Under the Go Negosyo Act, micro, small and medium enterprises will have a better ease of doi

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC), Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), and the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office III (DA-RFO III) are intensifying pests field control this wet season through the Oplan Iwas Peste: Ang madiskarteng magsasaka, mataas ang ani at kita recently launched in Nueva Ecija. Leonardo Marquez, crop protection expert at PhilRice, said the campaign aims to educate farmers on preventing pest infestations through simplified steps. The recommended practices include synchronous planting, use of resistant rice varieties, conserving beneficial insects, judicious use of insecticides, and proper application of fertilizers. The senior science research specialist said that managing pests and diseases starts with synchronous planting, which according to Mr. Marquez, breaks the pests’ life cycle as it inhibits their continuous food supply. The practice entails the farming community to

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Farm owners and tour operators in the province found themselves joining hands as they exchanged insights on how to strengthen agri-tourism industry here. In a three-day fun farms seminar workshop held at a hotel this city on July 24-26, Keneth De Gracia, tourism and training director of a Laguna farm shared several tips to turn farm sites into a “must-go” place for local and foreign tourists. “North Luzon has a big potential for farm tourism considering the high number of tourist arrivals. The market is already there,” said Mr. De Gracia citing tour operators can help these farm owners market their farms as a tourist destination. In support of the government’s rural economic development plan, the Department of Tourism (DOT) partnered with the Ilocos Norte Travel Agencies Association (INTAA) for the conduct of the seminar workshop enjoining Ilocano farm owners to venture into the exciting business of agro-tourism indus

EMPLOYEES  from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) conducts an environmental caravan at Brgy. 11 San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte to offer free survey and titling. Residents of the said barangay headed by Brgy. 11 chairperson Atty. Luciano Caraang thanked the CENRO for accommodating them in their program. Residents from other barangays also availed of the DENR service. (Doms dela Cruz)

The 15 candidates for Mutya ng Piipinas-Northern Luzon pay a courtesy call to Laoag mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas during the press presentation at the Laoag City Hall auditorium on August 3, 2018. The candidates are from Regions I, II & III. Pre-pageant is on September 15, 2018 at a mall’s activity center and the coronation night is on September 22, 2018 at the Laoag City Multi-purpose Hall. The top three winners will represent Northern Luzon in the main Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant. Dr. Genghis Sales Abad serves as the producer and pageant director. ( Doms dela Cruz)

Laoag Mayor Chevylle V. Farinas and Federation of the Philippines/AFP Retirees Association LC/IN Chapter President Jovito C. Ramos offer a wreath to Dr. Jose Rizal during National Heroes Day on August 27 held at the city hall. the Veterans Federation of the Philippines and the AFP Retirees & Legal Beneficiaries Association Inc attended the commemoration. ( Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —Laoag Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas confirmed that she will run for her third and final term in next year’s general elections. In an interview, Mrs. Fariñas said she and her political group are now finalizing their full line up for the May 13, 2019 elections. With the sudden death of former Laoag Vice Mayor Michael V. Fariñas, who was only on his second term, his son, current Laoag government administrator John Michael V. Fariñas, reportedly will run for the city’s second highest post. Mrs. Fariñas did not deny the issue, neither did sh

San Fernando City, La Union —The National Reintegration Centers of OFWs (NRCO) is now part of the Overseas Welfare Administration (OWWA) pursuant to OWWA Act of 2016. The said Act states that NRCO becomes an OWWA attached office and headed by an executive director who shall be under the supervision of the OWWA administrator. Being an attached office of the OWWA, NRCO will undertake all the reintegration services of the agency. NRCO, which Republic Act 10022 institutionalized, caters to the reintegration needs of the OFWs as well as those who are in distressful situations. Some NRCO’s reintegration programs includes Balik Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay and Livelihood Development Assistance Program (LDAP) wherein beneficiaries were given trainings and start-up kits for their business ventures. OFWs who may avail these programs are distressed women worker-returnees who are victims of human trafficking, illegal recruitment, sexual harassment and maltreatment or abuse as well as thos