The Ilocos Times

  By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter   Batac City—The P17 million expansion of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) expansion building in this city is 100% complete.   Jail/Insp. Antonio Sapaden made this announcement. He, however, noted that the building still needs it own transformer, thus there is still no electricity in the building.   Mr. Sapaden said the expansion building is intended for male persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) while the female detainees will remain at their existing dormitories.   He explained further that the transfer of the PDLs at the expansion building would depend on the presence of electricity including water availability.   He also added that they also still need to increase the perimeter fence’s height to avoid any escape attempt from the PDLs.   The two-storey building is located at the back of the existing jail at Brgy. Magnuang and was funded by the national government through the “Build-Build-Build” pr

  AMELIA  Bautista of Bagnos Multi-Purpose Cooperative receives the national awards of Bagnos from Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Vic M. Ines. The cooperative was awarded as 2018 Most Progressive Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization and Highest Grade in IT-Enabled Maturity Assessment. (Rommel R. Aquino photo) In 2000, the Bagnos Multipurpose Cooperative in Barangay Binacag, Banna, Ilocos Norte was in shambles. Of its remaining 39 members, only 12 were active. The capital for its consumer store, its sole business then, was down to a few thousand pesos. Nobody had the time to initiate a move to resuscitate it. The men were too busy working in the fields, while the women confined themselves with their household chores. Ironically, this cooperative called “bagnos”, an Iluko term for “guiding light”, was left without a direction, a lost cause. But this situation changed when a woman decided to stand up—a decision that turned the coopera

  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