The Ilocos Times

The recent events that unfolded in the last two years should give us pause to rethink the criteria we use in voting for our public officials. Anyone can become mayor or a governor, or a president even, but not everyone can become an efficient and effective crisis manager when once-in-a-century catastrophe and tragedy befall us. The COVID pandemic has unmasked and uncovered what we really are in a crisis situation. And although some did their best with whatever they had, there are others who failed epically--and miserably. As such, it was their constituents who suffered most. Here in Laoag City, the response and the pandemic rose and fell, and as much as much was promised, to call whatever promised was realized an   under-delivery is a tragedy in itself. The full lockdown of whole barangays without the subsequent and sufficient help and aid, became more troubling for those who were caught in the middle; forbidden to go to work but without any ample government relief in any way or f

Laoag City —The Department of Agrarian Reform-Ilocos Norte (DAR Ilocos Norte) earned its ISO 9001:2015 certification following the successful establishment of its quality management systems (QMS) amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The certification process was administered by TUV NORD Philippines, Inc. through remote two-stage audit which was held on Nov. 4 and 11, 2021. During the audit, DAR Ilocos Norte was assisted by ISO consultant Christine Lazaro. ISO 9001:2015 is a globally recognized quality management standard developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The certification provides a model in building an effective QMS. The standard is based on several quality management principles, including having a strong customer focus and high-level management. Provincial agrarian reform program officer II (PARPO II) Vic M. Ines said “The management conveys our sincerest thanks and appreciation as we recognize the substantial efforts   and contributi

By Noralyn Dudt PAIN is not   imagined, but your brain plays a role.   A large number of the population suffers from chronic pain which is defined as pain experienced most days to some, or every day to the unfortunate others. Conditions include migraines, sciatica and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as shoulder, knee and elbow pain. Back and neck pain have been experienced by a lot of people at some point in their lives. The medical community has traditionally regarded chronic pain in one or two ways. Doctors either consider it a structural problem caused by tissue damage—muscle strain, ruptured disks, an inflamed or torn tendon; or they shrug, saying they cannot find anything wrong and suggest painkillers,   physical therapy,   rest, or a different diet or lifestyle. In too many cases, surgery is performed,   despite dismal success rates of around 25 per cent.   The view that chronic pain originates in the brain—that it is fundamentally a psychological phenomenon,   and can

It was 1904 and the World's Fair in St Louis, Missouri buzzed with excitement. The World's Fair was to be the Centennial celebration of the 1804 Louisiana Purchase from France.   It was going to be the event of the century. In the words of David Francis who was the chief executive of the Louisiana Purchase,   it was to "demonstrate to visitors that human history has reached its "apotheosis" in Forest Park,"   the venue for the World's Fair.   The $15 million that was spent to create such an extravaganza showed   that no expense was spared. The Fairgrounds covered 1,000 acres ( 405 hectares). It was a pivotal and contentious moment in American history, when in the midst of a new industrial era,   the United States of America celebrated itself as a growing imperial force. The World's Fair of 1904 was designed to showcase American glory, American democracy,   American economy.   On display were the greatest technological innovations of the time: outd

Ni Leonardo Rosqueta Agonoy POLITIKA!   Adu a tattao wenno umili ti ulawenna. Politiko, naruayda. Iti kaaduda, matikawka no asinoda ti pudno a butosamto. No pudno nga isuda ti makatulongto ti ilulung-aw ti panagbiag ti tunggal maysa. Pangenpangen. Saggaysadanto manen nga umay manumtubalay. Mamerienda ken mainum ti balonda nga iyawat kadagiti botante. Kasla aso ken pusa met ti idiar, kababalin dagiti agsusupangil. Begbegento met ti media dagita nga isyu ti politika. Kasano itan?   Di met ammon no asino ti patiem ti sasawen ti tunggal maysa. Ngamin, kaarig met dagiti politiko ti upa a manok - kutak-a-kutak a di met maka-itlog! Anian sa itan?  Ti met gayam agtutunggali nga isyu ti politika ti wagas a panaglatak ti kinaasino ti tunggal politiko!  In short , awan ti maidumduma ti kinaasino dagitoy. Maymaysa ti burikda!  Burik ti buaya!  Kasla alinta pay ti kaarigda!  Kunatayo a puera de los buenos? Kakailian. Masaotayo laeng ditoy iti kinabuklis, kinagamrud ti kaaduanna a politikota

ECO-FRIENDLY. On Oct. 20, 2021, a worker at the newly-inaugurated Ilocos Norte Eco Hub demonstrates to local officials of the province led by Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta Marcos how the stripped plastic sachets are mix with cement to produce eco-bricks. Also shown in the background photo are eco-bricks used in the construction of the first eco hub in the province which is envisioned to be replicated in various parts of the province to help beat plastic pollution. ( Lei G. Adriano) Leilanie G. Adriano ( Staff Reporter) LAOAG CITY—The province of Ilocos Norte is heading towards beating plastic pollution with the manufacturing of eco-bricks using recycled plastic wastes for construction purposes. Located along the national highway at Sitio Bato, Brgy. Tonoton in Piddig, Ilocos Norte the project is a model eco hub recycling facility, the first of its kind in Ilocos region. Through a public and private partnership agreement between the Ayala-led renewable energy corporation-North Luzon

The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC), the statutory Liquidator of closed banks, will sell a total of 59 agricultural lots owned by various closed banks through electronic public bidding (e-bidding) on Nov. 19, 2021. The PDIC announced that it will accept bids from interested buyers from 9:00 a.m. on November 18, 2021 to 8:00 a.m. on November 19, 2021, via its e-bidding portal at https://assetsforsale.pdic.gov.ph . Bids will be opened starting at 9:00 a.m. on November 19, 2021. To be sold individually on an “as-is, where-is” basis are 53 agricultural lots (two of which have improvements) and six mixed agricultural-residential lots (two of which have improvements) with a combined minimum disposal price of P110.2 million. The properties are located in Bataan, Batangas, Cagayan, Laguna, La Union, Leyte, Marinduque, Palawan and Pangasinan. To complete the required one-time registration, interested parties can go to the PDIC Assets for Sale website at https://assetsfors