The Ilocos Times

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—To address various issues confronting education today, Ilocos Norte education officials are looking into the power of partnerships or a collective action to strengthen programs and projects geared towards the development of 21st century learners. Initiated by the Ilocos Norte Schools Division of Ilocos Norte, over 200 participants composed of educators, parents, alumni, heads of agencies, including local government units, public and private organizations attended a seminar-workshop on innovative education investments in partnerships at the SDOIN conference hall as they came up with draft action plan promoting the welfare of learners in the province. “Through this forum, we hope to build better ties and to promote understanding between and among all the education stakeholders of the province,” said Ilocos Norte schools division superintendent Vilma Eda. With the help a freelance international governance consultant,

By Bernard Ver Contributor Piddig , Ilocos Norte—The municipal government here distributed water pumps and hoses to Brgy. Sucsuquen farmers in this town. Piddig Mayor Georgina Salazar-Guillen and Piddig government consultant Eduardo “Eddie” Guillen led the distribution. An additional 50 water pumps and hoses from the first set was delivered earlier this year. Each recipient should farm at least two hectares of agricultural land as part of the requirement. "These are the fruits of our seed that was sown and let us all continue to give good harvest for the betterment of our town Piddig," Mrs. Guillen said. The project came from the National Irrigation Administration-Region I, which has a total amount of PHP3.5 million. Other recipient barangays of the said project are: Brgys. Tonoton, Ababut, and Tangaoan.

Imagine luscious ice cream made from fresh buffalo’s milk sandwiched in crackers made from brown rice flour. Healthy and mouth-watering at the same time, BRICS is definitely a better alternative to commercial ice cream sandwich. It is expected to be out in the market by late December 2018. BRICS is born out of a 2016 consumer-driven market study by PhilRice’s Josefina F. Ballesteros, El Shaira A. Labargan, Rosaly V. Manaois, Amelia V. Morales, and Dr. Riza G. Abilgos-Ramos. Based on the survey results, consumers associate health and wellness with the concepts of food, diet, and nutrition. Hence, there’s a market opportunity for new rice-based products that offer a wide range of health and nutritional benefits. According to Ms. Labargan, BRICS chose brown rice flour for its nutritional superiority. It has higher amounts of protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and several health-enhancing benefits owing to the bioactive compounds that the whole grain carries. Buffalo’s

Most of them come from the private sector and civil society, and four from government service. Six are men, two women, one a volunteer group led by a young woman, and a class of workers. Different backgrounds, different advocacies, but all exemplifying the great Ilocano spirit. Here are The Ilocos Times Outstanding Ilocanos for 2019, receiving well-deserved recognition as the Ilocos Norte Bicentennial Celebration comes to a close. Eugenio Angelo Marcos Barba FOR promoting inclusive growth through nation-building. A pioneer member of Kabataang Barangay, Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Eugenio Angelo M. Barba also served as three-term municipal mayor (1992-2001) and senior provincial board member (2001-2010). With a long line of political history, he has proven himself as a committed and competent public servant. Mr. Barba continues to inspire fellow local government officials to strive even harder, setting past accomplishments as motivations to continue uplifting the

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—The Ilocos Norte government through the Provincial Fisheries Division is calling on all residents to stop selling and consuming marine turtle eggs. Local environment officials said they have been monitoring the stretch of the Ilocos Norte’s shoreline from Badoc to Pagudpud towns as popular nesting areas. In a phone interview, Arthur Valente, provincial fishery regulatory officer confirmed they have received several reports from concerned citizens that some locals are still gathering sea turtle eggs amidst the presence of a national law and the local government units’ efforts to conserve and protect this endangered species. Mr. Valente warned anyone found violating this environment law shall be fined with PHP300,000 and four years imprisonment. “Marine sea turtles often lay their eggs from dusk till dawn and the peak season is from November to March. There had been reports from the ground that egg sales and consumption still continue an

2018 ABC Daniel Jego Nacnac ( fifth from left ) wins Best in Talent and ranked in the Top 10 in the recently concluded Misters of Filipinas 2018 held at Iconic Music Museum in San Juan City on October 3, 2018 (Photo by Handy Lao)

Batac mayor Albert D. Chua, vice mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta lead other Batac officials in remembering Msgr. Gregorio Aglipay on his 78 th  death anniversary. The officials laid a wreath at the Gregorio Aglipay National Shrine and Mausoleum in their city. (Doms dela Cruz)