The Ilocos Times

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter San Nicolas , Ilocos Norte – The Department of Public Works and Highways-Ilocos Norte Second Engineering District (DPWH-INED2) was named 1 st runner-up in the recently concluded national search for the 2018 DPWH Eco-Friendly District Engineering Office, otherwise known as the Environmental Management Program Sustainability. DPWH Ilocos Norte 2 nd engineering district Engr. Mathias L. Malenab said the competition is in line with the national government’s effort on environmental protection and conservation. This is to recognize the exemplary compliance to the environmental programs and policies and efforts on environmental protection and conservation. Said office was also given a special award as Best in Greening Program. Engineering Districts of South Cotabato and Cebu City tied for the top spot. Relative to this, Mr. Malenab thanked all his personnel for their cooperation and contributions making said office top most

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—The Royal Caribbean International, a cruise line brand founded in Norway and based in Miami, Florida, United States is expected to make its way to the Currimao International seaport this year. Xavier Ruiz, tourism officer and environment planner in Ilocos Norte confirmed this as he reported its local ground handler is currently organizing its itinerary and logistic requirements in this northern gateway of Luzon. “The local handler has already requested us to assist them for the coming of Royal Caribbean anytime this year,” said Mr. Ruiz. Last year, it may be recalled that representatives of Royal Caribbean, one of the largest shipping lines in the world conducted an ocular inspection at the Currimao seaport to check its facilities. In the official Facebook page of Royal Caribbean Philippines, agents have already announced its exciting deals to those who want to experience cruising in Asia, Alaska, Europe and

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Batac City —Mayor Albert D. Chua announced that the city government here was recently adjudged as Rank #8 for the Most Improved Local Government Unit (LGU) nationwide under the component cities category for CY 2018. The award was spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the 2018 cities and municipalities competitiveness index. Prior to the national level search, Batac was pronounced as Rank #1 as Most Improved LGU in Region I; 2 nd Place Infrastructure Pillar in Region I and 2 nd Place Resiliency Pillar in Region I all in 2018. Mr. Chua said that of all the component cities in Region I and the country as a whole, Batac shone in terms of improvement. Records show, according to Mr. Chua, that Batac improved vastly compared with other LGUs in the past years.    He said the award was based on how the city government “successfully and prope

By Bernard Ver Contributor Dingras , Ilocos Norte—The League of the Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Ilocos Norte chapter is appealing to the Commission on Election (Comelec) to reconsider returning their police escorts during the election period. LMP President and Dingras Mayor Erdio Valenzuela said that there are reports received by his office about some threats encountered thru text messages from unidentified sender towards most of the mayors in the province. Mr. Valenzuela added that their organization is worried enough about the bombing incidents in the southern part of the country and even the ambush of Quezon City’s Brgy. Bagong Silang chairperson Criselle Beltran and her driver Mario Salita recently. The league will also send petition letters to the Philippine National Police headquarters for them to hear LMP-IN’s request for the election period, Comelec Resolution No. 10446, Section 33 states that “[D]uring the election period, no candidate for p

Mayor Harumi Yamamoto of Takko, Japan (right) with his fellow Japanese officials (not in photo) pays a courtesy call to Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua for a potential partnership between the city government and MMSU in strengthening the province’s garlic industry. The Japanese officials earlier attended MMSU’s foundation anniversary where they help put up the presidential farm. (Doms dela Cruz)

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—In time for the annual celebration of National Autism Consciousness Week, the Autism Society of the Philippines-Laoag Chapter has prepared a series of activities to prevent discrimination and promote inclusivity of persons with autism. Earlier, a bazaar for children with autism opened at the Dap-ayan center where preloved items, shoes, bags and others are sold to the public. Triscia Alexandra “Trixie” Ablan, ASP public relations officer said the bazaar for a cause will last for four days or until January 24. “The registration fees of participants will go to ‘ausome angels’ and this is in partnership with the Rotary Club of Laoag Metro Ilocos Norte and the Sirib Ilokano Kabataan Association,” said Ms. Ablan saying she developed her fondness for children with autism when she had a chance to seat in a classroom with them and she found ‘peace’. Since then, Ms. Ablan met with other volunteers in Laoag as they advocate

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —The city government here has begun construction of a new multi-million computerized slaughterhouse. The said facility is located at Brgy. Camangaan, this city, near the City Agriculture Office. City engineer Roy Tomas said the new city government-owned slaughterhouse will be computer-operated and will have the newest equipment and machines from the National Meat Inspection Commission (NMIC). The city’s counterpart for the project is the lot and the construction of new building. Phase 1 of the project started last year with a funding of PHP1.5 million. Currently, the project is on its phase 2 with a funding of PHP3.3 million. The impasse on the city government’s 2019 budget, however, may delay the project’s phase 3. Phase 3 has an allocation of PHP5 million under “capital outlay” in the 2019 budget. “ Ket inggana a saan a maaprubaran tay 2019 budget ket saan met a masagid daytoy a pondo isu nga on hold