The Ilocos Times

By Bernard Ver Contributor Laoag City —The Sangguniang Panlalawigan issued a “show cause” order on February 26, 2019 against several Laoag City government department heads in relation to the alleged missing Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) funds. releases ‘Show Cause’ order to several Laoag City Department heads on the alleged missing funds of the city government worth PHP 73,075. SP member Vicentito M. Lazo said that the order is in accordance with the law for those concerned individuals to shed light on the issue and to explain their process of liquidation, and provide documents of the SK seminar that transpired in Laoag City in November 2018. The Laoag government employees invited for the hearing are Diomedes Gayban, Edgar Pascual, Hipolito Salva, Visitasion Rabago, Shiela de Leon, and Lowelyn Acain. The provincial board gave the city government 15 days to bring the needed documents at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. The committees on laws, local government, and youth

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Health personnel from the Department of Health are making rounds in various schools and local communities in the province to conduct massive vaccination particularly among athletes participating in the Region 1 Athletic Association (R1AA) Meet. For the safety of participants, Ilocos Norte’s hosting of the R1AA has been moved to March 6-11, 2019 instead of March 3-8 to give time for the athletes to be vaccinated against measles first. In a press conference held at the Schools Division of Ilocos Norte on February 28, 2019, Dr. Edwin Monis, medical officer V of the Department of Health-Center for Health Development in Region 1 and area supervisor for measles outbreak response team for Ilocos Norte said Region 1 has already recorded a total of 536 cases of measles with the most number, or 456 cases with 14 deaths in Pangasinan, 45 in La Union, 22 in Ilocos Sur and 13 in Ilocos Norte. To boost the immunity of the community

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Vic M. Ines ( first from right, first row ) leads the signing of memorandum of agreement with the beneficiaries of Convergence on Livelihood Assistance for Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Project   (CLAAP). CLAAP is a joint program of the Department of Agrarian Reform and Department of Social Welfare and Development which aims to increase the household income of farmers by developing and improving their agri-business enterprises. Seven agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations in Ilocos Norte received assistance from CLAAP. (Jorge Richard P. Guerrero)

REPEAT . Brgy. 23 (San Matias) Punong Barangay Primo Jay S. Ramos (center) accompanied by his fellow Brgy. 23 officials receive the PHP75,000 check as prize for repeating as the Cleanest, Greenest and Safest Barangay under the Urban Category for CY 2018 on February 21, 2019 during the ABC Night in time with the Pamulinawen Festival 2019 celebration. (Doms dela Cruz )     By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —This city’s Brgy. 23 (San Matias) led the winners for the annual search for the cleanest, greenest, most Productive and safest barangays for 2018 during the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) Night held at the LC Multi-Purpose Hall on February 21, 2019 as part of the celebration of the city’s Pamulinawen Festival 2019. The search is in line with the city’s Oplan Dalus, a pet project of the city government. Laoag Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) president Mary Michelle Louise “Mikee” V. Fariñas, in her welcome address, thanked all

Laoag City —A Facebook poll conducted February 11-18, 2019 by radio station DZJC shows entrepreneur Edward “Boyet” Quilala amassing 72 percent of the votes in the mayoralty race for the Municipality of Currimao. He is running against incumbent Mayor Gladys Go Cue who obtained a 28 percent vote share in the survey participated in by over 1,200 netizens. An online poll conducted earlier, January 28-February 4, 2019, by The Ilocos Times also saw Mr. Quilala winning over Mrs. Cue, with the former obtaining 58 percent of the almost 3,000 votes cast. In an interview with The Ilocos Times , Mr. Quilala expressed his gratitude for the very strong support he has been getting from his townmates. Reading from the poll comments and through his personal interactions with Currimaoeños, Mr. Quilala surmised that “ Nabannogda metten ” [They have grown tired] and that they are crying for change. However, while Mr. Quilala is appreciative of the snowballing support, he says he is car

By Bernard Ver Contributor Laoag City --Laoag councilor Roger John C. Fariñas II filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeals opposing the decision of a lower court in Ilocos Norte after it sided with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in invalidating the city’s cockpit ordinance. According to Mr. Fariñas, he does not agree with the decision of the court thru Judge Francisco Quilala of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 14 favoring the Ilocos Norte Board on the issue of ‘Ultra Vires [beyond powers]’ in bringing the city ordinance to a halt. “I respect the court's decision… it has the only power to do so, yet, I filed an appeal in the Court of Appeals for further review on the case”, Mr. Fariñas said Two years ago, the city council passed an ordinance giving Mr. Alejandro “Bong” Taylan a franchise-to-operate the cockpit arena in Laoag. The provincial board, however rejected the said ordinance upon review due to “deficiency of requirements, thus invalid

Typhoon Ompong lashes the province. (File photo) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Various fisherfolk associations in the coastal city and towns of Ilocos Norte received various fishery livelihood projects on February 19, 2019 courtesy of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Composed of 56 payaos and two gillnets, BFAR Regional Field Office I Director Lilibeth L. Signey handed them to the beneficiaries in a simple turn over ceremony held at the Centennial Arena, this city. The fishermen association of Pasuquin who were among those hit hard by typhoon “Ompong” got 16 payaos and gillnets worth PHP2.7 million next to Laoag’s PHP1.59 million worth of fishing gears; Pagudpud and Currimao received gears worth PHP1.2 million each. Other recipients include fisherfolk associations in the towns of Bangui, Burgos, Bacarra, Badoc and Paoay. “We are thankful for the government support. This is a big help for us to boost our livelihoo