The Ilocos Times

  By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter San Nicolas , Ilocos Norte--“As your humble brother, I have made my choice and chosen a new path in my life.   If the people so desire, let me be the rallying point of their frustrations. If the people choose it to be, I offer myself to be their instrument of expressing the desire for political reform, economic progress, and social stability. May I enjoin each and every one of you now to consider this opportunity to be part of this historic people’s movement to change for the better.”. Atty. Hilario “Larry” Pajinag Valdez stated this as his prime reasons in his decision to run for the congressional seat of Ilocos Norte’s second district. Described by people as once a young farm boy who lived at Brgy. San Pablo, San Nicolas; living a simple life, but at a very early age he knew there was a calling set for him to realize. He saw where he was and understood that someday he will contribute to the economic indicator of his belov

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) is again inviting out-of-school youth and vacationing students who wish to apply for summer job opportunities under the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES). On March 25, 2219, several applicants joined a long queue at the Capitol lobby leading to the Provincial Public Employment and Service Office (PESO) located at the west wing of the Capitol ground floor for screening. According to the Provincial Public Employment and Service Office (PESO), there are 400 slots available to Ilocano youth aged 16 to 30 years old under the SPES program this summer. The beneficiaries shall render at least 15 days of service to different offices in the provincial Capitol starting April to May. Lizette Bitancor -Atuan, PESO head said “Applicants should submit a duly-accomplished application form issued by PESO, a photocopy of NSO birth certificate,   certificate

Manila —Multinational forces began humanitarian and civic assistance projects as part of exercise Balikatan 2019 on March 12, 2019. Philippine, U.S., and Australian forces attended ground-breaking ceremonies for the renovation of three elementary schools in Orani, Bataan Province; Pangil, Laguna Province; and San Juan, Batangas Province as well as a health clinic in Moncada, Tarlac Province. Construction projects, health engagements, and community relations events will take place to improve local infrastructure, teach lifesaving medical skills, and strengthen ties between Philippine communities and Philippine, U.S. and Australian military forces. The events are a preparatory part of this year’s Exercise Balikatan, which officially takes place from April 1 to 12, 2019. Balikatan is an exercise between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States, and also involves participation from Australia.   Balikatan is a Tagalog phrase for “shoulder-to-shoulder,” whi

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—Joining the worldwide effort in environment awareness, the Ilocos Norte provincial government observed Earth Hour with one-hour lights off from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.at the century-old Ilocos Norte Capitol building on March 30, 2019. Located at the heart of Laoag City, security guards on duty were instructed to turn off the lights at exactly 8:30p.m. Over the years, the heritage Capitol building has played an important role in the lives of the Ilocanos, hence it is just fitting to observe Earth Hour here as a symbol of the province’s resiliency on countering environment problem such as climate change. Constructed in 1918, the Capitol was enlarged and remodeled in 1957 during the time of then Governor Antonio Raquiza. It was inaugurated on December 28, 1958. In his social media page, Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Eugenio Angelo M. Barba enjoined all residents to observe Earth Hour by turning the lights off for at least an

Employees of the Department of Agrarian Reform-Ilocos Norte re-elect planning officer II Rommel R. Aquino (second from left) as president of the Department of Agrarian Reform Employees Association in the province. Photo Courtesy of Agustin L. Ablan Laoag City —Incumbent president Rommel R. Aquino, planning officer II of DAR Ilocos Norte, was re-elected in the recent election of the Department of Agrarian Reform Employees Association (DAREA) in Ilocos Norte. Other elected officers are: Rodolfo N. Garcia, Jr., vice president; Ma. Esperanza V. Manuel, secretary; Victoria S. Correa, sub-secretary; Reynalda A. Quiamas, treasurer; Leonora F. Anacleto, sub-treasurer; Dante S. Agreda, auditor; and Mae Alnie C. Agaludud, PIO. DAREA’s primary task is the realization of representation in the various committees, bodies, programs and projects of DAR which directly and indirectly affect the interest and welfare of the employees. The association is also mandated to carry out

LAOAG  Mayor Chevylle V. Farinas and several members of the city council and department heads pose with the 40 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) beneficiaries who were given jetmatic pumps, toilet bowls, bag packs and raincoats.   The SDG was formerly known as the Millennial Development Goal (MDG), which is the project of the Local Government Academy through the DILG and in partnership with the city government of Laoag. (Alwin Formantes photo) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —The Local Government Academy and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office in cooperation with the Laoag City government distributed assistance for the beneficiaries of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and typhoon ‘Ompong’ victims. The city social welfare and development office identified Barangays 20, 21 and 23 as SDG areas having the most-number of urban poor families. Of the three barangays, 40 beneficiaries received jetmatic pumps, toil

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —“ Adda kamin iti critical a sitwasyonen, appo, ken adda pay tay makit-kita dan a kasla bimmantayen ket saan mi met nga mailibak ta ngumato met a ngumato gapu iti kaadu a basura nga inaldaw-aldaw ti intero a Laoag”. [We are now in a critical situation, and we cannot deny what the people can now see that the garbage has reached mountainous proportions due to the daily volume of trash from the whole city] Laoag City government engineer Roy A. Tomas made this statement on the city’s controlled dumpsite—a holding area which the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources-Environment and Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) designated as temporary garbage dumping site and which has reached the maximum volume of garbage. Mr. Tomas disclosed that the city’s monthlong fiesta last February and the hosting of the Region I Athletic Association (R1AA) meet generated tons of garbage for the temporary dumpsite. He added that the co