The Ilocos Times

By Leilanie G. Adriano  (Staff Reporter) Pagudpud , Ilocos Norte—Owing to massive river siltation and soil erosion in this town, Pagudpud mayor Rafael Ralph Benemerito sought the help of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to reconsider the grant of gratuitous permit to the local government unit in order to extract quarry resources from the silted rivers at Brgys. Dampig, Saguigui, Pancian, Pasaleng, Burayoc and Caparispisan. The mayor likewise urged local communities to support the DENR’s greening program as part of mitigating the impact of climate change and help preserved the town’s remaining forest cover. In October, this year, Mr. Benemerito was accused of illegal quarrying in his town, prompting members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to recommend to Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc to revoke the municipality’s gratuitous permit for violations of its terms and conditions. Based on the investigation report of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, it

Sarrat, Ilocos Norte—To further assist in the recovery of small businesses in the province, the provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), through the small-medium enterprises (SME) office, distributed package containing various goods to micro-bakery owners in the town of Sarrat. Called the “Pandagdag Pangkabuhayan Program,” it is an initiative of Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc, which aims to assist distressed small bakery owners who are affected by the pandemic, by providing them items to replenish their goods. “ Ang mga bakery owners dito sa bayan ng Sarrat ang unang mabibigyan ng assistance. Mayroon tayong walong beneficiaries dito. Pero imbes na flour ang ibigay, dahil may expiry date ito at mabilis masira kapag na -stock, na -convert ito sa mga raw materials gaya ng mantika , white sugar, at brown sugar na magagamit pa rin nila sa kanilang negosyo ,” SME officer Elma Gabriel explained. The provincial government plans to give assistance to 80 micro b

  By Bernardo B. Ver II  (Contributor) Senator Ma, Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos said that economic, logistical, and health considerations should prod the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to indefinitely put its public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program on hold and allow traditional jeepneys to resume operations. Ms. Marcos, who chairs the Senate committee on economic reforms, said the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has not only rendered most jeepney drivers jobless for the past seven months of community quarantine restrictions but has now made it impossible for them to afford modernized jeepneys with Euro-4 capability that cost PHP1.4 million to PHP2.2 million pesos each. The DoTr’s subsidies of PHP80,000 to buy a modernized jeepney and an extra PHP5,000 for gas were clearly insufficient, Ms. Marcos pointed out. The senator added that the short supply of modernized jeepneys for less than 5% of about 170,000 jeepney drivers, the lack of social welfar

It was bound to happen. Laoag City now has the highest incidence of COVID-19 cases in Ilocos Norte. It also has, as I write this, the highest number of active cases, making up 74 percent of total infections in the province. As a capital city with the biggest and most dense population, this was not unexpected at all. Last November 14, 2020 alone, 14 new cases were announced, all from Sitio Dungtal in Brgy. 23. It was a record high, not only for Laoag City but for the entire Ilocos Norte province. In the middle of this spike in cases, Laoag applied a new measure: home isolation now in place for COVID-19 patients in Brgy. 23 and also in Brgy. 5. As with anything that is new, home isolation was met by people with apprehension and fear. Some were understandably wary about having COVID-19 patients a stone’s throw away from their own homes, not least because the enemy is unseen, and they would embrace paranoia with arms wide open if that is the best way to be safe. I myself was surpr

CONTINUING EDUCATION SUPPORT PROGRAMS AMID PANDEMIC. BDO Unibank donated nearly PHP3 million-worth of protective supplies, online learning tools, and other school materials to more than 1,100 public schools nationwide as part of its corporate social responsibility programs supporting public schools. Receiving the items are (left) Mr. Pepito Cagunot, assistant principal and (middle) Dr. Ruben Opeňa, principal IV of Nagpayong Elementary School. Representing BDO Network Bank-Salary Loans Group is Mr. Sonny Agapito, regional sales head-NCR. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, BDO Network Bank (BDONB) pushed through with its corporate social responsibility programs supporting public schools. The rural banking arm of BDO Unibank donated nearly P3 million-worth of protective supplies, online learning tools, and other school materials to more than 1,100 public schools nationwide. The programs, namely the Brigada Eskwela & Balik-Eskwela (DepEd initiated activities supporte

  Laoag mayor Michael M. Keon personally hands over a PHP100,000 check to Reymunda Raras of Brgy. Gabu Norte on Oct. 26, 2020 at her residence. The check is the city government’s incentive for Nana Reymunda as she turned 100 on Sept. 11, 2020. The centenarian has five children with multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joining them during the handover is Brgy. Gabu Norte chairperson Rodel Legaspi, CSWD officer Perlita Cabello and BASCA president Jovito Sablay. ( Alwin Formantes photo)

  Batac mayor Albert D. Chua leads the distribution of 161 goats to farmers affected by typhoon “Ompong” as part of the city's rehabilitation program for affected farmers in cooperation with the Dept. of Agriculture regional field unit I. (CMO Batac photo) By Dominic B. dela Cruz  (Staff Reporter) City of Batac —The city government executive branch here has proposed an allocation of PHP735,688,227.36 annual budget for 2021. The budget proposal is at least PHP1 million short compared to this year’s budget of PHP736,647,586.14. The Sangguniang Panlungsod here is already tackling the budget proposal. During their October 26, 2020 session, the budget proposal was on its first reading and was referred to committee of the whole in preparation for budget hearings. Based on the budget message of Batac mayor Albert D. Chua, the proposed allocation breakdown is PHP73,114,406.36 for the beginning balance; PHP630,883,521.00 for general fund; and PHP31,690,300.00 for economic enterp