The Ilocos Times

By Reynaldo Andres Contributor Batac CITY—A voluntary blood donation drive is being promoted among medical students in Ilocos Norte to ensure adequate blood supply for accident victims, people needing surgery, and those suffering from certain diseases, as well as for medical research. With this, the state-run Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), College of Medicine partnered with the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in this city plans to have its own blood bank. As of this posting, around 80 bags of blood intended for MMSU constituents and their relatives were initially deposited at the blood bank, courtesy of a recent bloodletting activity, participated in by medical students and other stakeholders. “Since our population here at our college is relatively small, we decided to extend this activity for the undergraduate students, faculty members, and the community residents of Batac City,” said Jamie Nalupta, head of the MMSU Blood Dri

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter Vintar , Ilocos Norte—In time for the summer season, the municipal government here launched another extreme adventure activity in the north that will surely entice both local and foreign tourists. Measuring around 230 meters, the very first bike zipline in the Ilocos region is being managed by the Vintar government led by Mayor Larisa Foronda. Located at Sitio Bucana in Brgy. Parparuroc, or about eight kilometers from downtown Laoag City, Mrs. Foronda hopes this latest tourism attraction in her hometown will awaken the town’s tourism potentials and bring in more livelihood opportunities to the locals. During the launching, provincial government tourism head Aianree Raquel has lauded the efforts of Vintar officials and those behind the realization of the project, offering something new for first time and returning visitors in the province. “We’ve seen and always know that Vintar has a very strong potential in terms of

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has simplified the process of issuing environmental clearance certificate (ECC) which can now be accessible online or secured from the provincial environment offices. After attending a Monday flag-raising ceremony at the Ilocos Norte Capitol, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Victor Dabalos told government workers the application for ECC by mining and quarry operators can now be done by just a few click of the mouse at the newly-created environment and management unit in the province. “For those who are applying for ECC, there is no need to go to San Fernando City [DENR Regional Office] as you can now directly apply in our office,” said Mr. Dabalos, noting this is one of the innovations of DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu to expedite the issuance of ECC. As part of the Duterte administration’s serious effort to promote ease of doing business in the

By Bernardo B. Ver II Contributor Currimao , Ilocos Norte—The Movement Against Plastic Pollution (MAPP), an Ilocos Norte environmentalist group marked March 2019 as the month to clean up beaches in this town. MAPP is a non-government organization (NGO) that actively organizes volunteer beach and coastal cleanups, minimizing non-biodegradable wastes and educating people about proper waste management. The group was organized and founded by Mrs. Patricia Dacanay-Diaz. She is also the 5 Gyres Institute ambassadress of the Philippines, an organization that empowers action against the global health crisis of plastic pollution. Mrs. Dacanay-Diaz said 91 volunteers participated in the said activity and they were able to collect 19 sacks full of non-biodegradable trash from the Pangil Rock Formation in this town. In a 1.3 kilometers wide coast, they 109.7 kilograms of garbage for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Specific plastic elements collected include plastic straws, p

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—Ilocos Norte continues to be one of the most peaceful provinces in the country as it has been free from the clutches of the New People’s Army for the past seven years. Lieutenant Colonel Jearie Boy P. Faminial , commander of the 24th Infantry (Wildcat) Battalion, 7 th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division of the Philippine Army confirmed this following the first quarter joint Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council meeting held at the Capitol auditorium, this city on March 18, 2019. As directed by an Executive Order signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte on December 4, 2018, Mr. Faminial said they are focused on institutionalizing the “whole nation approach” to address insurgency and deliver basic services and social development packages in conflict affected areas. Fortunately, “Ilocos Norte is not included in this package as it has been insurgency-free since 2012,” Mr. Faminial point

Just MoVe Forward and Create Valuable Future By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —The Sunshine City of Laoag and the Northern Gateway of the Philippines will continuously move forward thru the leadership of multi-awarded Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas embodied in her vision of the city becoming the Metropolitan Center of the North. The vision encompasses the accomplishments, awards and citations of Mrs. Fariñas garnered since she started in office in 2013. Livable, safe and progressive city In 2018, Laoag was named as third Most Livable City in the Philippines conferred by the Manila Times. On top of this, the city also won the Regional Gawad Kalasag Award from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Office of the Civil Defense; and first Place in the Pillar of Infrastructure in the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index, Region I, by DTI and National Competitiveness Council. The Dept. of Interior and Local Gov

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Dingras , Ilocos Norte—The Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) conducted its 45 th Annual General Membership Assembly (AGMA) meeting in four venues this year. The AGMA was held on March 30, April 7, 13 and 27, 2019 in Burgos, Batac, Laoag and Dingras, respectively. In a press interview, INEC’s Institutional Services Dept. (ISD) manager Menchie Cariaga took the opportunity with the members of the tri-media to invite all the member-consumer-owners of INEC to attend said meeting. The AGMA aimed to bring all the member-consumers-owners of INEC for presentation of the accomplishment reports of the cooperative for the year 2018 and its present status. Ms. Cariaga said the INEC general manager Engr. Felino Herbert P. Agdigos and INEC board president Enrico Ruiz reported on the managerial concern and the present status of INEC for the past year and present. Financial status of INEC was be reported so the public may know its