The Ilocos Times

Laoag City —To keep pace with the growing “e-commerce” industry worldwide, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), has opened applications for enrollment of the second batch of Rural Impact Sourcing Technical Training (RISTT), to begin on September 2019. This training program aims to provide technical trainings for the unemployed, and to provide wider market opportunities for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Last year, Emmy Lou Delfin of the DICT Industry Development Bureau described Ilocos Norte as a “record-breaker,” being the first province wherein all trainees in the RISTT program were able to complete and graduate from the course. Provincial SME office head Edison Natividad also noted that the target for this batch is 25 slots. This is to give chances to information technology graduates and to further enhance their ICT skills. “ Ang target natin ngayon a

SUNSHINE  Women 2019 Solo Mother Category awardee Mrs. Aurora Bueno (center) together with her family members pose with Laoag mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas and several city councilors. (Photo by Alwin Formantes) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —Fourteen Laoag City women were recognized and awarded as the LC Sunshine Women 2019 in a program held at the at the city hall multi-purpose hall on March 25, 2019. The awardees were chosen based on their moral and security integrity; significant accomplishments in their family, participation in church, barangay and community activities; personality traits and volunteerism and civic actions. DSWD officer III Mary Joan Pasigui said that the award has five categories. The Professional Category awardees were Mitchie Delos Santos, Zenaida Eugenio and Atty. Monique and Veronica Nevalga (Finalist) while the Non-Professional Category featured Mary Ann Cabacugan, Eva Dela Rosa, Ednah Marie Bernardino and Grace

Sinaludsod man kadakami ni Dr. Chester Puño no ania ti pakasaritaan ti Aurora Park wenno ti plaza ti Laoag. Napintas a saludsod ngem saanmi a nasungbatan ta nakurang met dagiti inpormasion iti dayta a banag. Sapay koma ngamin ta dagiti local historian ken tourism official ket irapinda nga adalen ken ipublikar ti pakasaritaan dagiti daan a pasdek ken naduma-duma a lugar iti Laoag.   Nagpintas koma a maammuan ti pakasaritaan ti Aurora Park, "Oblation", Gilbert Bridge, Sinking Belltower, St. William Cathedral, Ermita Hill ken dadduma pay. Ti turismo ket saan laeng a bisbisti, parparada ken ar-arutittit. Dakdakkel koma a pasetna ti pannakaiyadal ti pakasaritaan kas ti ar-aramiden dagiti sabali a lugar. *** Adu ti makaobserbar nga agtaud manen dagitay agkekebkeb ken agga-anggo nga agtutubo dita pagtutugawan iti lauden a mismo ti Marcos Stadium. Ne, kalpasan ti R1AA ket AREM-AA sa metten ti sumaruno. Awan met ketdi’t bibiangtayo a. Ngem saan a maladaw dagita, an

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