The Ilocos Times

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter San Nicolas , Ilocos Norte—As the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) continue implementing road-widening projects and the relocation of electric posts along the national highway, Ilocos Norte Engineering District II (INED-II) Engr. Mathias Malenab appealed to motorists and the public for more cooperation. Mr. Malenab explained that the project aims to widen the national roads to have a better highway for motorists, to avoid accidents and to lessen traffic congestion especially during peak hours. At present, road widening projects are being implemented along the national highway in the towns of San Nicolas, Banna, Pinili and Batac City, each with an approximate budget of PHP20 million, depending on the length of the project. He stressed that these projects are the continuing road widening projects of the DPWH for CY 2019 with 100 percent completion before the year ends. He added that the DPWH will strictly implem

Inbatad ni provincial agrarian reform program officer II Vic M. Ines a dagiti laeng legal a processing fee ti mabayadan kadagiti serbisio nga ipapaay ti Legal Division iti Department of Agrarian Reform-Ilocos Norte. Karaman kadagiti serbisio nga ipapaay ti Legal Division ti DAR Ilocos Norte ket ti pannakaited aksion kadagiti aplikasion para iti DAR clearance , certification ken conversion . Kuna ni Mr. Ines, libre wenno awan mabayadan kadagitoy a serbisio malaksid laeng iti bassit a processing fee a maikkan pay ti opisial a resibo manipud iti gobierno. Malagip nga adda dagiti paglintegan a mangipawpawil ti panagdawat wenno panagawat dagiti empleado ti gobierno ti kuarta manipud kadagiti umili nga agpatpatulong kadagiti opisinada. Kuna ni Mr. Ines a sursuruten ti DAR Ilocos Norte ti tema ti selebrasion ti Philippine Civil Service Anniversary iti daytoy a tawen nga “Upholding Integrity and Building a High-Trust Society” wenno pannakapatibker ti integridad ken talek k

Laoag City —The Province of Ilocos Norte commemorated the contributions of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. in nation-building through the “Macoy Fest”, a week-long celebration which started on September 7, 2019. The annual conduct of the Macoy Fest is spearheaded by the Ilocos Norte provincial government. It aims to recall the patriotism, bravery, and intellectual excellence of the late President in hope that these would inspire the same nationalism among the present generation. Various activities were held throughout the province. Its newest addition includes a wall art painting along the Sirib Mile in Laoag City. Over 100 creative Ilocano artists participated in the mural street art which highlighted the heritage, history, and culture of the province. On September 7, 2019, PGIN conducted a job fair during the kickoff of the Macoy Fest celebration to provide more employment opportunities to Ilocano job seekers, especially to those with civil service elig

Laoag City —With the successful operation of the “producer to consumer” (P2C) program initiated by former Ilocos Norte Governor, now Senator ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos in Quezon City since 2017, incumbent Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc is hopeful to expand the program in Metro Manila and its nearby provinces. Mr. Manotoc stated during his first 30 days report that the Provincial Government has forwarded a letter to Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domogoso regarding the operation of the said program in his city: “We have already sent a letter to Mayor Isko. We are looking to expand it to the city (Manila) and other provinces para hindi masayang ang bawat biyahe natin. Marami tayong nadadaanan papuntang Quezon City kaya dapat i -maximize natin ang mga biyaheng ito,” Mr. Manotoc explained. The P2C program is under the Kadiwa program of the provincial government which aims to provide marketing assistance to small and medium enterprises (SMEs)

By Bernardo B. Ver II Contributor Laoag City —The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region I office released an order lifting the “cease-and-desist order” issued to OMNICO Natural resources, Inc. (ONRI), together with the other 21 holders of industrial sand and gravel permits in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte. On August 15, 2019, the Environment and Management Bureau (EMB), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENRO) Ilocos Norte, DENR Bangui composite team conducted a joint evaluation to determine environmental compliance and other related concerns. Results found that the respondent is compliant to the environmental laws and has complete documentation of permits and certificates related to the existing requirements. The DENR issued cease-and-desist order against OMNICO due to alleged illegal quarry operations at the Padsan River in Sarrat on August 13, 2019.

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—In support of the universal free education in the province, the Ilocos Norte government has allocated about PHP12.5 million for the payment of electricity bills of poor public schools here. Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc reported that the amount has been sourced from the Special Education Fund (SEF) of the province. For 2019, Ilocos Norte’s collection of SEF tax has increased to PHP617,600,000 compared to last year’s more than PHP222 million. As of this posting, the provincial education department is currently studying the public elementary schools which are qualified under the program. “We have created some criteria based on their maintenance and other operating expenses. Do they really need it?” said Mr. Manotoc as he explained the concerned schools will be consulted first prior to implementation. “This time, we will allow the school to decide if they want us to pay their electricity or conv

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Laoag City —The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Ilocos Norte Engineering District I announced that they plan to construct another bypass road to connect this city to neighboring San Nicolas town. DPWH-INED district I engineer Maria Venus Torio said former Ilocos Norte Governor, now Senator, Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos requested the project to DPWH Sec. Mark A. Villar . According to Ms. Torio, the Rudy C. Farinas Bypass Road has not completely solved the traffic congestion at the city’s Nangalisan area—the primary road that leads to San Nicolas. She explained that based on their initial feasibility study of the proposed project, they learned that a third bridge should be located on the east of the existing Gilbert Bridge. “Sa ngayon tinitingnan pa nila kung ano iyong mga alternative locations . Ganun talaga pag ginagawan po yan ng survey iyong short distance from the river bank to river bank dahil m