The Ilocos Times

Laoag Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Vicentito Lazo speaks during an outreach regular session at Barangay 38-B Mangato, this city on March 11, 2020. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Laoag City —Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod here proposed the relocation of their office from the City Hall old building to the ABC building at Brgy. 2, this city. During their last outreach session at Brgy. 38-B Mangato, Laoag Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Vicentito M. Lazo announced the proposal during the “Chairman’s Time”.   In an interview, Mr. Lazo admitted that they did not notice that the SP session hall’s ceiling’s materials have started falling. During an inspection, the City Engineering Office said there is a PHP1.5 million fund available for the rehabilitation of the said session hall. Aside from the PHP1.5 million, Mr. Lazo also learned that there is another PHP1 million fund surplus for the purchase of motor vehicl

Laoag City —To address the suspension of public transportation services due to the national government's efforts to stem the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Metro Ilocos Norte Council (MINC), in partnership with the Provincial Resiliency Office of the Ilocos Norte Government now provides free transportation services for health personnel and medical patients starting March 21, 2020.   The medical transportation service of the PGIN is free. However, only patients from the province who undergo dialysis and chemotherapy treatment are allowed. The Provincial Government encourages persons with medical needs to reach the MINC Office at telephone number: 772-1212 (loc. 166), or mobile numbers: 0910-812-1758 (Smart) and 0917-116-0004 (Globe) for the arrangement of schedules. ( Stewart C. Ocampo )

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Laoag City —In line with President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s directive in his 2019 State of the Nation Address, the city government of Laoag continued the clearing roads of illegal structures and constructions. City interior and local government officer Janet Duarte said the national government has ordered strict implementation of Duterte’s directive. Ms. Duarte added that the directive mandates all local officials to enjoin and exercise their powers essential to reclaim public roads which are being used for private ends in the process, rid them of illegal structures and constructions. Local government officials are also encouraged to develop and implement strategies that will address the displacement issues caused by the implementation of the directive. Local chief executives were also directed to revoke permits that gave authority to private entities to occupy public roads, alleys and other thoroughfares. In line with this

  Vintar Vice Mayor Amado Victor Rasimo assists provincial veterinary officer Dr. Loida Valenzuela in the distribution of 321 goats to Vintar farmers. The recipients are those farmers whose crops were destroyed by typhoon “Ompong” two years ago. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Vintar , Ilocos Norte—The Department of Agriculture (DA) thru the Provincial Veterinary (PVet) Office distributed 321 goats to farmers here. The farmer-beneficiaries were affected by the typhoon “Ompong” two years ago. PVet head Dr. Loida Valenzuela led the distribution of the said goats assisted by Vintar Vice Mayor Amado Victor Rasimo and several members of the Sangguniang Bayan. Dr. Valenzuela said the beneficiaries are farmers whose crops and animals were affected by “Ompong”. The Ilocos Times learned that former Ilocos Norte Governor, now Senator Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos has requested this rehabilitation for farmers not only in Vintar but in t

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Senator Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos called on the government to cut the prices of more medicines and speed up the purchase of critical equipment other than just testing kits, as the country scrambles to fight the spread of coronavirus disease or Covid-19. More medicines for those who are “immunocompromised” or have weaker immune systems due to illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and lung disorders should be included in the list of 72 more drugs that the government is considering this week for price regulation, Ms. Marcos said. “ Habang wala pang vaccine o lunas sa Covid -19, ang pag-asa na lamang ng mga mahihina ang immune system dahil sa kanilang mga kapansanan ay mas murang gamot ,” the senator said. Ms. Marcos issued the statement ahead of a mandatory technical working group (TWG) meeting of the health and trade and industry departments to discuss the 72 drugs that will be added to a previous list of med

  Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)  CNSSO  V/AFOC Area I Marionito F. Dela Cruz (center) receives the Special OFW Award for Community Service on behalf of his wife Elza Nagtalon Dela Cruz (awardee) who is presently working in Ireland. The award was given by the Roosevelt High School administrators during the General Alumni Homecoming 2020 Coronation Program and Gala Night held February 29, 200 at the Piddig Farmers Trading Center. Witnessing the awarding are the children of the awardee: Ramel, Meldrick and Melissa Jane with their families and friends. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Piddig , Ilocos Norte— "If you were born with the ability to change someone’s perspective or emotions, never waste that gift. It is one of the most powerful gifts God can give—the ability to influence”—Shannon L. Alder. The pride Ilocana Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Ms. Elza Nagtalon Dela Cruz of Class of 1975, received a Special OFW Awa

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—Over 52,000 rice farmers in the province are entitled to receive PHP5,000 each as financial assistance due to the flood of imported rice in the market. From the initial number of 19,927 rice farmer-beneficiaries in Ilocos Norte, provincial agriculturist Norma Lagmay said the number of eligible beneficiaries of the Rice Farmer Financial Assistance (RFFA) program has almost tripled. Under the program, farmers may receive the payment through a LandBank-issued cash card, or over-the-counter withdrawal from Landbank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines conduits and accredited payout outlets. RFFA forms part of the immediate interventions set up to cushion rice farmers from the birth pains of the RA 11203 or the so-called Rice Tariffication Law. The law provides for financial assistance for rice farmers to be sourced from the tariff collection of the P10-billion Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fun