The Ilocos Times

  Laoag City —Continuing its mandate to assist local farmers, the Sustainable Development Center (SDC) of the provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) distributed several agricultural inputs and equipment to mango, rice, vegetable, and other high value crops growers in the province on July 10, 2020 at Brgy. San Andres this city. The SDC distributed 2,500 bags of organic fertilizers, 2,000 bags of calcium sulfate, 700 bags of calcium nitrate, and 930 liters of insecticide to mango growers, through their respective local government units and organizations. “ Ang mga ibabahagi natin ngayon ay para sa rehabilitation ng mahigit 8,300 na puno ng mangga dito sa probinsiya. Ibibigay na natin ang mga agri inputs para magamit na nila ito bilang paghahanda sa pamumulaklak ng mga puno, higit na dalawa hanggang tatlong buwan mula ngayon ,” SDC officer Edwin Cariño explained. Aside from mango growers, rice, vegetable, and other high value crops growers also received a total of 25 unit

By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Batac City —As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to rage around the world, the city government here has banned indiscriminate spitting and expelling nasal mucus in public places. The Sangguniang Panlungsod here has specifically passed an ordinance that bans and penalizes such acts to minimize the likelihood of transmission of the COVID-19. Batac councilor Violeta Daradar-Nalupta said the virus can be transmitted thru respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, and spitting. The said acts can also transmit other respiratory pathogens, including influenza and rhinovirus. Mrs. Nalupta further stated that it is the policy of the city government to protect and promote the right to health of its constituency and instill health consciousness. Anyone who carelessly or intentionally spits or expels in public places that produces saliva, phlegm, mucus or other substances will face fines of PHP500, PHP1,000 and PHP1,50

Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua and several members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by Batac Vice Mayor Windell Chua distribute equipment to the different schools in the city. The simple turn-over was held at the Imelda Cultural Center on July 9, 2020. ( Photo courtesy of CGB)

Laoag City —In the thick of the pandemic, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) through the Provincial Education Department (PED) visited towns and cities in the province to distribute the stipend of provincial scholars. The distribution of stipend, facilitated by the PED in partnership with the Ilocos Norte Youth Development Office (INYDO), and the Provincial Treasurer’s Office, started on May 20, 2020 and ended on June 3, 2020. Almost 2,000 scholars from the academic, technical-vocational, senior high school, and Sirib youth leaders’ scholarship received their stipend, which was distributed by the provincial government to their respective areas. In his message, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc thanked the scholars for their participation in the programs of the provincial government as well as encouraged them to explore and spend their time properly: “I encourage you to explore different opportunities and use your time wisely. I know we all have a l

By Leilanie G. Adriano ( Staff Reporter) LAOAG CITY–The Department of Trade and Industry in Ilocos Norte awarded 55 “Negosyo Starter Kits” to 55 beneficiaries from the towns of Paoay, Currimao and Badoc. With the ongoing worldwide pandemic, DTI provincial director Rosario Quodala said they have widened the provision of livelihood kits to those affected by the pandemic including potential entrepreneurs, those who are stricken by calamities such as Covid-19, fire and armed conflicts. To qualify as a beneficiary, Ms. Quodala said, “the receiver must not be a recipient of any social amelioration program from other government agencies. In addition, Maricor Racela, DTI-Ilocos Norte senior trade industry development specialist and trade promotions officer said that each of the beneficiaries received around PHP8,000- 10,000 worth of sari-sari store and meat processing kits to start up a new business. For one of the “Nego kits” beneficiaries like Janice Caliboso, she said she may not

Manila —On June 4, the United States, through the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), presented a donation of PHP54.8 million [US$1.1 million] in sustainment supplies to the Special Response Units of the Philippine Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) National Headquarters in Quezon City. The supplies will assist the BFP in fulfilling their mandate as the Philippines’ Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) response agency.   The BFP is also one of the primary agencies conducting decontamination and response activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.  DTRA and the BFP have a longstanding partnership to strengthen the Philippines’ capabilities to respond to CBRN incidents and conduct chemical inspections and decontamination operations.   DTRA is also supporting the BFP and other Filipino agencies in their development of Counter-Weapons of Mass Destruction capabilities. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency enables the Department of Defense, the United States Government,

  (Photo by: Jayson C. Berto) Rogel Comesario’s farm in Manaoag, Pangasinan was the center of attention on March 5, 2020 as the first Rice Competitiveness Enhancement (RCEF) produce was ceremonially harvested. High-ranking national and regional government personalities graced the ceremony, engendering a virtual barrio-fiesta mood. The roaring combine harvester blended well with the output of the drum-and-lyre corps, and the loud speakers further intensified the noisy but pleasing rendition. It was musical democracy at its best. It will be recalled that the first-ever RCEF seed distribution was done in late October 2019 in Pangasinan. The big province turned out to be the epicenter of the novel Seed Program, which, as of March 15, 2020, has distributed over 1.36 million bags of seeds to more than half million farmers nationwide. The appreciative Comesario, 38, tells us how he treated his RCEF seeds and how these helped him limit his production cost to the minimum.   NSIC Rc 2