The Ilocos Times

Laoag City —The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) extended support for the affected families of the Taal Volcano eruption in Batangas by sending a truckload of relief goods alongside a financial aid on January 16, 2020. Taal Volcano activity started on January 12, 2020 and intensified on succeeding days, resulting to the occurrence of ashfalls, greatly affected and displaced thousands of families in the said province, including its nearby provinces. Reliefs donated include canned goods for over 2000 families; 480 bottled mineral water (3 liters); 300 N95 face masks; and an undisclosed amount of monetary assistance to the Provincial Government of Batangas. Similarly, PGIN provided assistance to the victims of the earthquake incident in Batanes last July as well as the flood victims in Cagayan and Apayao last December 2019. Aside from the Provincial Government, various non-government organizations and other private groups in Ilocos Norte also initiated donati

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—Massive use inorganic fertilizer has deteriorated soil fertility in the province. With this, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) through the Sustainable Development Center (SDC) is urging farmers to “heal” their lands to boost their productivity. Edwin Cariño, SDC office head said they have completed soil restoration in at least 18 towns and two cities of Ilocos Norte. “Right now, we are eyeing other towns of the province such as in Adams, Dumalneg, and Carasi to have their soil rehabilitated because of too much use of inorganic fertilizer,” said Mr. Cariño. Early on, experts conducted soil testing in various parts of the province to help farmers identify the crops suitable to be planted in a certain parcel of agricultural land. In fact, they are now popularizing a color-coded soil fertility map among farmers in the province to informed then about the level of soil fertility and what to do about i

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—The outbreak of a new coronavirus has sparked fear and anxiety around the world. With this, even the Schools Division of Ilocos Norte (SDOIN) has intensified campaign on proper handwashing and to always practice covering one’s mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing to avoid close contact with people who show signs of respiratory illness. In a press conference held at the SDOIN on January 31, 2019, Dr. Lloyd Rosquita, DepEd Ilocos Norte chief education supervisor said they are directing all schools in the province to help in raising awareness about the on-going health problem and to conduct mass immunization to protect children and the community on the re-emergence of polio in the country. “This is something that we should not take it lightly. To be safe, let us make it a habit to practice proper hygiene and boost our immune system by taking in more fruits and green leafy vegetables,” said Dr. Rosquita. In a Jan

Vintar Vice Mayor Amado Victor Racimo, representing the municipal government, meets the delegates from the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) and the DPWH regional office on January 9, 2019 to verify the proposed rehabilitation of the hanging bridges destroyed by typhoon Ineng at Brgys. Isic-Isic and Lipay. The said project has an appropriated budget of PHP3 million and PHP8 million respectively, which was already approved. The Vintar government hopes the project will start at the soonest possible time. (Doms dela Cruz)

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter City of Batac —TO further motivate elementary and secondary students to study harder and excel, the city government here will soon give incentives or stipends for the top five deserving children of its permanent and casual employees. Batac City councilor Bismark Quidang, who authored the ordinance, said the measure is one of the city’s plans, programs and priorities for the general welfare of the city government. Mr. Quidang stressed that the city government continues its pursuit to give stipends and/or incentives to deserving school children and students who excel in their academics. The Ilocos Times learned that city officials led by Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua have long wished for this project to give incentives and/or stipends to the top five deserving students who are children of city hall employees. The awarding of incentives/stipends is scheduled at the end of every school year. Mr. Quidang added that this will a

LAOAG  Mayor Michael Marcos-Keon welcomes Col. Audrey L Pasia, INF PA, commander of the 702nd Brigade (Region 1 and Abra), Lt. Col Jearie Boy P. Faminial, battalion commander of the 24 th  Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and Cpt. Rogelio Dumbrigue, company commander of the 7 th  CMO (Civil Military Operations) Company during their visit to the city. The Philippine Army is a partner of the Laoag City government in the development of security programs, and in the implementation of the Community Support Program of the Philippine Army, particularly in maintaining a safe and peaceful Laoag City. (Doms dela Cruz)

  Basket weavers from Brgy. Uguis in Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte present their master craft to Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc on February 3, 2020. They are among the heritage artists who were featured in the creatives’ fest as one of the highlights of the 202nd foundation anniversary of Ilocos Norte on Feb 2.  (Lei G. Adriano)  By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—Taking pride in its home-grown artists, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte honored on February 3, 2020 its growing number of creative artists as they showcased their genuine crafts and unique masterpiece at the “Open Capitol”, an annual event which is one of the highlights of the 202nd foundation anniversary of the province. Featuring at least 20 Ilokano visual artists who joined the creative festivity, each of them shared their inner passion for beauty while inspiring others to reach out for their dreams and aspirations too. Among them are Dindo Llana, James Michael Romaguera