The Ilocos Times

San Fernando City , La Union—Once again, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office I (OWWA RWOI) scholars proved that they are now ready to face the professional world as they are now licensed educators and registered nurse. Four scholars recently passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) administered on September 30, 2018 and one scholar passed the Nursing Licensure Examination (NLE) conducted last November 17 & 18, 2018. Among the LET passers are Julia Mae C. Agustin, Louise Casey C. Murao, John Carlo A. Manabat and John Bert A. Peralta. Ms. Agustin was a scholar under the OFW Dependent Scholarship (ODSP) while Messrs. Murao, Manabat and Peralta were under the Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP). On the other hand, registered nurse Jenalyn P. Raguini became an OWWA scholar through the Enhanced ODSP. Ms. Agustin earned her college degree at the University of Pangasinan in Dagupan City, Pangasinan. She is the

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Paoay, Ilocos Norte —On November 19, 2018 birdwatchers from various parts of the country witnessed the return of the great cormorant, a migratory bird known for its matted feathers. The 387-hectare Paoay Lake National Protected Landscape is a feeding point for migratory birds. Since the first launching of the first return of the great cormorant festival in 2008, local birders led by Dr. Petrus Calope, also a member of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP) frequent the lake’s view deck at Brgy. Nagbacalan in this town for a chance to see the great cormorant along with other bird species at the landlocked lake. Through Dr. Calope’s initiative, in cooperation with the local government unit of Paoay and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, bird watching in the province has slowly gained popularity, attracting local and foreign enthusiasts to visit the legendary lake. Starting the month of November, bird wa

Fifty-four farmers recently graduated from the Farm Business School (FBS) conducted by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Ilocos Norte. Twenty-five of the graduates are members of the Zanjera Matoc Multipurpose Cooperative in Bacsil South, Laoag City, while 29 are agrarian reform beneficiaries from Catuguing Multipurpose Cooperative in San Nicolas. Provincial agrarian reform program officer II Vic M. Ines, said the farmers were given updates on modern farming practices and basic business concepts. “They were taught various farming, management and entrepreneurial skills,” said Mr. Ines. In the FBS, the essential elements of bookkeeping, cash flows, market surveys, selling and costing and proper packaging of products were fully explained to the farmer-students. The local government units of Laoag City and San Nicolas pledged to help provide more marketing opportunities for the farmers and their families. *** BARD NOTES: Happy bard-reading to Gove

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