The Ilocos Times

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter Burgos , Ilocos Norte—Fire volunteers from Brgy. Poblacion in this town will represent the province in the National Fire Olympics as they emerged as champion under the Barangay Category in the recently concluded Regional Fire Olympics in La Union on April 30, 2019. Composed of 14 participants including their coach and team leader, the Poblacion fire brigade also won in major awards such as Best in Bucket Relay and Best in Fire Extinguishment. Participated in by the four provinces of La Union, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, it is the first time an Ilocos Norte barangay representative won the overall championship. The 6 th Regional Fire Olympics aims to build camaraderie among fire brigade and volunteers and to select representatives in the National Fire Olympics on March 2020. “We are so much grateful to God for this award. Thank you to all of you who gave us inspiration, support, trust and prayers,” said B

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter Batac CITY—In an effort to bring its brand of education closer to people, the state-run Mariano Marcos State University visited Dumalneg, an Indigenous Peoples community in the province on May 19, 2019 to administer the college freshmen admission test (CFAT) to all interested graduates of senior high school. MMSU President Dr. Shirley Agrupis said in an interview that a number of incoming college freshmen had been wanting to take the CFAT but some fail to do so due to lack of transportation and allowance when going to Laoag or Batac campuses where CFAT is being administered. “We want as much as possible that Ilocos Norte graduates should benefit from the prime state-funded university so we are bringing CFAT to our IP communities,” said Dr. Agrupis. Based on 2018 CFAT data, she reported around 6,000 students made their reservations online but during the actual exam, only more than 3,000 showed up. “If we cannot bring CFAT to

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Batac City —Thousands of local, domestic and foreign tourists converged in this city to witness this year’s 11 th Farmers Festival celebration held May 1-5, 2019 with the theme: Rambakan Iti Panagdur-as Iti Biag Ni Mannalaon. This year’s festival kicked off with a motorcade around the city and a thanksgiving mass held at the Immaculate Conception Parish as the Batacqueños thanked the Almighty for the fruitful agricultural blessings followed by the official opening of said festival with a “Salo-Salo Merienda” which featured native delicacies for snacks were served. On the same day was the pre-judging of booths and exhibits, best photo booths and zanjera dance competition participated by the different rural barangays. May 2, 2019 marked the judging of the “PINAKA HVCDP”, corn, fresh water fish, livestock and endangered animals; Catching Piglets; Dog Show; Laro ng Lahi, RIC Dance Competition and the coronation night of the new Ba

DSWD Field Office 1 head Dir. Marcelo Nicomedes J. Castillo together with the representatives of the SLC and SALAKNIB poses for commemorative photos in the beginning of their journey towards helping RRCY clients and staff. ( DSWD FO1) San Fernando City , La Union--The  Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Field Office 1 , Saint Louis College (SLC), and SAngguniang LAkas Para Sa Katarungan at Kapayapaan Na Naglilingkod Sa Inang Bayan (SALAKNIB) entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to build capability projects enhancing the development needs of the RRCY residents and staff. In line with the Department’s mission, the DSWD recognizes participation of volunteers since they contribute in improving economic and social capital, and serves as catalyst that encourage the people to work together to discover their potentials and capabilities. Moreover, these groups complement the efforts of the Department in achi

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —This city’s Sangguniang Panlungsod and the Ilocos Norte Sangguniang Panlalawigan may be headed for another showdown, this time regarding Ordinance No. 2018-078. The ordinance, authored by Laoag councilor Roger John C. Fariñas prohibits and penalizes the entry of illegal drugs and paraphernalia, firearms and ammunitions, bladed weapons, cellular phones and similar devices used for communication, cigarettes or tobaccos, electric cigarettes and liquor or other forms of intoxicating beverages to the Laoag City jail. The provincial board sent a communication to the Laoag council stating the said ordinance as “invalid”. The board cited “ultra vires” as the main reason. It means the council passed an ordinance that was beyond its powers, since there are already national laws that carry the same prohibition. Mr. Fariñas, however stressed that city will still enforce the ordinance. He said he has asked council secretary

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —The Schools Division of Ilocos Norte (SDOIN) sent 114 delegation to the 2019 Palarong Pambansa to be held in Davao City from April 27-May 4, 2019. Of the 114 delegates, education program specialist II Rochito Duque said 83 of them are athletes, 22 coaches, two chaperons and seven other persons from Ilocos Norte. They left for Davao on April 16, 2019 to prepare early for the said national sports event. Mr. Duque said the SDOIN prepared some food wrapped made of banana leaves for their travel. As part of this endeavor, the provincial government of Ilocos Norte approved PHP500,000 from the Special Education Fund (SEF) for the Ilocos Norte delegation. He said the conduct of Palarong Pambansa is in accordance with RA No. 10588 otherwise known as the Palarong Pambansa Act of 2013, which aims to select athletes to represent the country in a higher level of sports competition worldwide. SDOIN superintendent Vilma Ed

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—As a series of earthquakes that hit various parts of the country, some local government units and other concerned national government line agencies in the province has intensified their disaster awareness campaign using social media as the latest mode of communication. In San Nicolas town for example, local officials led by their Mayor Alfredo P. Valdez alerted all residents to stay alert and be prepared in the event of any disaster or earthquake. Before an earthquake happens, authorities reminded the public to prepare a “lifeline kit”. This includes a whistle, flashlight and identification card at all times. It is also important to know the evacuation area and to determine is your area is prone to earthquake. During an earthquake, the drop, cover and hold technique should always be practiced until the shaking stops and then be calm to evacuate and help other people in need. “Please take our drills seriously. This