The Ilocos Times

Length of Service Award.  Assistant Secretary Presidential Communications Operations Officer Atty. Mitchel Kristian Ablan hands over a certificate of recognition to Genedine D. Jambaro, an employee of the provincial government during the 118 th  anniversary of the Philippine Service Commission held at the Laoag City Hall Auditorium. Mr. Ablan served as the guest of honor and speaker for the 1st district of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Norte vice Governor Angelo M. Barba (AM) for the second district. At least 900 government officials and employees were given certificates during the awarding ceremony. ( Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —In celebration of the 118 th Philippine Civil Service (PCS) anniversary, at least 900 government officials and employees in the province of Ilocos Norte received a certificate of recognition for the “Length of Service Award” in a program held at the Laoag City Hall Auditorium on September 27, 2018. PCS r

Laoag City— Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos filed her certificate of candidacy for senator at the Commission on Elections office in Intramuros, Manila on October 16, 2018. In filing her candidacy for the May 19, 2019 midterm elections, she said, “ Naniniwala tayo na malaki ang maitutulong natin sa bansa sa usapin ng ekonomiya lalo na ngayon na halos walang patid ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin . Inflation ang pangunahin nating problema sa kasalukuyan at nasasaktan lalo ang mahihirap dahilan sa 60% ng kanilang kita ay napupunta sa pagkain .” “ Kaya naman ipinaglalaban ko ang agarang pagsuspindi sa VAT kahit isang taon lamang, para agad-agad na mapagaan ang bigat ng sobrang taas ng presyo ng petroleo at pagkain na nagpapahirap sa ating mga kababayan ,” the governor added. She also showcased Ilocos Norte as a proof of her public service after the province became one of the fastest and most efficient in reducing poverty rates in the whole

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —Police Chief Supt. Dominic Guerrero warned the public against believing several attempted kidnapping reports posted on social media recently. He dubbed such social media posts as “fake news”. He said all the alleged kidnapping reports are unverified and no alleged victim has reported such to the police. In view of this, Mr. Guerrero appealed to the public to be more vigilant on the veracity of information and not to disinform and misinform anyone so as not to create panic and anxiety among citizens. He vowed that the Laoag police will always be on top of these issues and matters specially for the safety and security of everyone in the city of Laoag. Relative to this, the Laoag police issued anti kidnapping tips in order to avoid this kind of reports and these are: avoid same routines; screen and choose your personal staff; make friends with neighbors; secure your home; keep emergency numbers accessible; chec

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Dingras , Ilocos Norte—Provincial officials want learners in the province to remember that reading books is sometimes better than relying on information from the internet. Om October 12, 2018, the provincial government turned over at least 8,000 books featuring various subjects over to the 24 public elementary schools of this town. Led by senior Sangguniang Panlalawigan Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc, chairperson of the committee on education, he said he hopes the distribution of more books for public schools in the province will develop children’s love for reading and learning. Speaking at the Dingras West Central Elementary School, Mr. Manotoc challenged teachers and students to maximize the use of the reading and instructional materials.   “In the age of computers and cellphones, I hope that the children will develop healthy and strong reading habits,” Mr. Manotoc said citing this is just the first step for students to learn t

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) recently trained about 300 rice-based growers in Marawi, Lanao del Sur to help them resume farming, which was left for almost a year due to the city’s siege. Teodora Briones, head of PhilRice’s Corporate Services Division, said farmers in the area expressed interest in going back to farming after Ramadan. However, the farmers have yet to restore their livelihood and regain capital to start again. “Farmers’ present priority includes having enough food for their family’s everyday needs. Through rice-based farming, they will eventually recover,” Ms. Briones said. Farmers were given about 376 sacks of quality rice seeds after the training. Rainfed cultivators in the villages of Patani and Sugod received NSIC Rc 286 seeds while upland farmers in the villages of Kilala and Banga were provided with Alo-al and Dapolog seeds. Moreover, three sacks of organic and inorgani

Journalists from Luzon and the NCR agreed that a Filipino or “Filipinized” type of federalism that acknowledges the country's diverse cultures, traditions, religions, and regional dynamics will be applicable to the Philippines. Amidst differing beliefs and apprehensions over the proposed federal form of government during the two-day seminar-workshop on Understanding Federalism in the Philippine Context conducted by the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) in Manila on October 11-12, with support from Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) and in partnership with the Pimentel Institute of Local Governance (PILG), thirty publishers, editors, and reporters expressed support for good governance no matter the form of government. "Let's look at the CAR experience. We’ve been talking about autonomy for the longest time. In fact, our different tribes up there are the ones very much affected with all these issues on having an autonomous region," said Sonia Daoas, PPI trustee

LAOAG CITY  police officers conduct a drug awareness lecture and the salient features of RA 9165 and the RA 10627, otherwise known as the Anti Bullying Act of 2013 to first year college students of a Laoag school. The lecture aims to raise students’ awareness on the intensified campaign plan of the city police to eradicate illegal drugs and to achieve a drug-free Laoag City. It also focuses on improving strategies and responses to incidents of bullying and help avoid the recurrence of said acts.  (Photo courtesy of Laoag PNP)