The Ilocos Times

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —Ilocanos paid their last respect to a former archbishop in the city after the remains of the late Archbishop Edmundo Abaya was brought to the St. William’s Cathedral on September 24, 26, 2018. Archbishop Abaya, who was the first Filipino Bishop appointed by the late Pope John Paul II, died at the age of 89 on September 20, 2018 at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City. Archbishop Abaya was ordained as a priest in 1953. He became the third bishop of the Diocese of Laoag in 1978, where he served for two decades. He was later elevated as Archbishop of Nueva Segovia in 1999, becoming the first Ilocos Sur native to at the post. Archbishop Abaya also served as chairman of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’ (CBCP) Commission on Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs from 1988 to 1989 and a member of the CBCP Permanent Council from 1990 to 1991. Archbishop Abaya served th

By Bernard Ver Contributor LAOAG CITY—The Provincial Peace and Order, and Anti-Drug Abuse Councils met for the third quarter review at the Provincial Capitol Auditorium on October 5, 2018. Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Eugenio Angelo M. Barba presided over the conference in lieu of Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos. Peace and order The Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (INPPO), with P/Chief Insp. Randy Baoit appearing in place of P/Sr. Supt. Cesar R. Pasiwen, presented updated data of crime incidents in the province and the arrest of wanted persons. The police Data showed that from January 1 to September 30, 2018, there were 156 recorded crimes against person; 73 crimes against property; 260 arrested wanted persons. For the good news, the Philippine Army’s 24 th Infantry Battalion executive officer Major Felipe M. Jaramilla said Ilocos Norte remains “insurgency-free” from any rebel groups. Anti-illegal drugs The Phili

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) helps in the repacking of DSWD family food packs (FFPs) for augmentation to affected LGUs. (DSWD photo) San Fernando City , La Union—After the onslaught of typhoon Mangkhut [Ompong], the Dept. of Social Work and Development Field Office 1 (FO 1) continues to provide relief supply augmentation to affected families and individuals in various municipalities and cities throughout Region 1. As of 18 September 2018, DSWD FO 1 has provided 11,560 family food packs amounting to PHP4,161,600.00 and 6,796 non-food items comprised of sleeping kits, hygiene kits, and family kits amounting to PHP10,440,151. In addition, local government units (LGUs) have extended a total assistance of PHP158,300.00 while non-government organizations (NGOs) augmented PHP1,950.00. A total of 262,385 individuals or 62,647 families from 921 barangays of the four provinces of the region were affected by the typhoon. Likewise, 394 evacuation centers are currentl

  Laoag Mayor Chevylle V. Farinas tosses the ball for the ceremonial jump-ball formally opening this year’s inter school sports tournament. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —Mayor Chevylle V. Farinas personally opened this year’s Laoag City Inter-School Sports Tournament held at the city multi-purpose basketball court. Heavy rains at the time precluded the traditional parade. In its place, the city government held a program featuring all competing athletes from elementary and secondary school levels of private and public schools. Mrs. Fariñas, in her speech, welcomed all the athletes for this year’s inter school tournament, which will feature other sports events aside from basketball. Laoag City government sports coordinator Hipolito Salva said this year’s tournament include volleyball, table tennis, badminton, chess, football and athletics. Mr. Salva explained that they will hold games during weekends to avoid any neg

Laoag City —The city’s school division superintendent received another award, this time for his leadership. Fortune Life Insurance Co. through its Values Advocacy Program ( vap ) named Dr. Joel B. Lopez among the five winners of the second Gintong Parangal Para sa Edukasyon Pamumuno. Dr. Lopez received his award on September 12, 2018 at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan, Dept. of Education main office in Pasig City. The award recognized Dr. Lopez’s positive leadership, hard work and discipline as school division superintendent. “This is a recognition of the reforms we at DepEd Laoag initiated and implemented. I thank God for giving me the wisdom and the courage to improve the system, for the support of sdo [School Division Office] staff, school heads, teachers, local officials and stakeholders, and for the unwavering support of family and friends,” Dr. Lopez said. Education Sec. Leonor M. Briones served as guest of honor and speaker during the awarding ceremonie

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City—In preparation for next year’s midterm elections, the city’s Commission on Election office is currently holding voters’ registrations. Pursuant to Comelec Resolution No. 10392, city elections officer Atty. Julius Balbas said they began receiving filing of registration application on July 2, 2018. He added the election office is open from 8 am to 5 pm, Mondays- Saturdays, including holidays. They will accept registrations until September 29, 2018. Mr. Balbas said application for registration includes the transfer/transfer with reactivation, reactivation, change/correction of entries/ and inclusion/reinstatement of records in the list of voters should be personally filed by the applicant. The Comelec Resolution also states that the Comelec election officers (CEOs) may also conduct satellite/offsite registration of voters. Relative to this, Mr. Balbas said they have conducted offsite registration for students

These LGUs will get a Performance Challenge Fund as incentive, and will be able to access other DILG projects amounting to at least PHP200,000. (Berong Ver) By Bernard Ver Contributor LAOAG CITY—Five Ilocos Norte towns bagged the Dept. of Interior and Local Government’s 2018 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) awards. They are the municipalities of Piddig, Bacarra, Currimao, Paoay and San Nicolas. DILG undertook the national validation earlier this year of those who passed the assessment criteria and qualifications in the SGLG screening. The SGLG qualifiers must attain the criteria on progressive assessment system such as: financial administration: foster transparency and accountability; disaster preparedness: prepare for challenges posed by disasters; social protection: broaden access to social services especially the marginalized and most vulnerable in the community; peace and order: protect the community from threats to life and security; business-friendli