The Ilocos Times

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter Batac CITY—With the adverse impact of climate change in Ilocos Norte, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte in collaboration with various national government agencies and the extension directorate of the state-run Mariano Marcos State University continues to empower farmers and teach them practical ways to sustain crop productivity in climate vulnerable areas. Through the establishment of Science and Technology Community-Based Farm (STCBF) on Climate Resilient Technologies, farmers groups are being trained at the MMSU-University Training Center to assist them how to improve their farming practices across the province. Following a recent farmers training in Batac City and attended by some 40 farmers representing at least four Zanjera organizations in the towns of Solsona, Marcos, Vintar, and Piddig, MMSU President Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis urged farmers to adapt to the current challenges posed by climate change. “You a

The pioneer batch of Ilocos Norte's first medical school incorporated the abel Iloko in their graduation gown signifying their commitment to becoming as Doctors for Ilocanos. (Photo courtesy of Jhey-ar Mangati) BATAC CITY—Embracing their culture, the 14 pioneering members of the graduating class of the Mariano Marcos State University-College of Medicine (MMSU-COM) incorporated abel Iloko (traditional Ilocano textile) in their graduation gown. The graduation of MMSU-COM’s pioneer batch was held last June 24, 2019 at Teatro Ilocandia here. In an interview, Dr. Gretchen Ranada, associate professor of MMSU-COM and consultant of Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMH&MC), explained that the incorporation of the abel Iloko “represents the significant role of culture in health care.” Known for its superior quality, the abel Iloko has been a part of the Ilocano’s life cycle covering one’s birth, adulthood up to death. “We have always known the

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—On a bright sunny day, hundreds of Laoag City government employees wearing red shirts joined for the first time the Provincial Capitol flag raising ceremony, which is just a few meters away from the city hall. Officials and employees of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte and the City Government of Laoag were seen together singing the national anthem as they vowed to work together as “one province”. After decades of being ruled by the Marcos and Farinas families of the province, the new Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc and his uncle, Laoag Mayor Michael M. Keon announced they will make sure to unify all programs and projects of the provincial and city governments to promote better collaboration to the best interest of Laoagueños. The two families have been alternately allies and rivals since 1998 when the Marcoses returned to Ilocos Norte and reclaimed their old political turf after being

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Laoag City —A councilor from this city and two from Batac City are set to square off for the Philippine Councilors League (PCL)-Ilocos Norte Chapter presidency. Laoag Mayor Michael M. Keon officially announced Laoag councilor Handy T. Lao as his candidate in the PCL-Ilocos Norte chapter elections in September. Mr. Keon strongly believes that Mr. Lao deserves the position based on his experiences in the city council. Mr. Lao, meanwhile said he was surprised and did not expect Mr. Keon’s announcement. He thanked the Laoag mayor though for his support and promised to do his best in case he gets the chance to lead the local PCL chapter He added that leading the PCL in the province is one of his dreams as it would widen his horizon for he would then be serving the entire province and not just this city. Mr. Lao also mentioned that should he win, he will further promote tourism, agriculture and sports as his flagship prog

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Laoag City— With the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections set on May 11, 2020, the Sangguniang Panlungsod here is urging all first-time voters in the city to register at the local Commission on Elections office. The council passed a resolution in pursuant to Comelec Resolution No. 10549 which declared the registration period from August 1, 2019 to September 30, 2019. For the barangay elections, new voters should be at least eighteen (18) years old and have resided in the Philippines for at least one year and in the place wherein they will vote or at least six months of the preceding year.   On the other hand, any Filipino Citizen who is not yet a registered voter but will be turning 15 years old on May 11, 2019 and residing in the Barangay for at least six months on or before the election can now register for the purpose of SK elections. SK voters should be at least 15 years old on the date of the elections until

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY— The Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) is warning clients with bank accounts at the state-run of a new online scam. In a June 23, 2019 memorandum from police Colonel Marlou Roy Alzate, chief of the Regional Finance Service Office of the National Police Commission addressed to all concerned government agencies, he cautions LBP cardholders not to click the link of an alarming notice through email that the recipients Landbank account   has been “Locked” and it needs to click a link and provide some personal information to access the account. “The email or text could contain phishing software that may steal sensitive data on personal information such as banking and credit card details and online passwords,” Mr. Alzate said in his letter noting an urgent advisory from the government bank. Landbank clients are reminded not to disclose sensitive information via email and should there be any concern regarding their accounts,

OFC leaders and members from Ilocos Norte (blue shirt), Ilocos Sur (red shirt), La Union (pink shirt) and Pangasinan (yellow shirt) join in the celebration of 24 th  Migrant Worker’s Day on June 7, 2019 at Fr. Burgos Gymnasium, Saint Louis College, San Fernando City, La Union. (OWWA) San Fernando City , La Union—The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office I (OWWA RWOI) recently celebrated the 24 th Migrant Workers’ Day or Araw ng Pasasalamat on June 7, 2019 at Saint Louis College in this city. More than 600 OFWs and dependents from Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan participated in the event. As one of OWWA’s institutional events and as a tribute to all the migrant workers, OWWA RWOI made sure that this year’s celebration will be successful with the theme, “Salamat sa tapang, sipag at pagmamahal mo, Kabayan”. The activity started with a thanksgiving mass officiated by Fr. Romeo Aquino Jr., CICM held at the Transfiguration