The Ilocos Times

The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) is ramping up its digital transformation efforts this year to streamline operations and deliver top-notch customer experience. Since assuming leadership in May 2023, LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz has prioritized the adoption of new technologies across the Bank’s operations to elevate customer convenience and accessibility to financial services. “We are heavily investing in enhancing our digital infrastructure to ensure seamless service delivery across our online banking channels and traditional touchpoints. Our priority remains steadfast in delivering solutions and exceptional service to our valued customers,” said President and CEO Ortiz. This year, LANDBANK aims to reduce over-the-counter transactions in its branches by encouraging customers to maximize the Bank’s digital banking channels. These include the LANDBANK Mobile Banking App, the iAccess online retail banking channel, and the Link.BizPortal web-based payment c

Dingras Mayor Jeofrey Saguid, Dingras Vice Mayor Erdio Valenzuela and several members of the Sangguniang Bayan lead the Floral/Grand Parade with all the participating barangays, NGOs, NGAs and schools during the celebration of this year's 21 st  Ani Festival 2024. ( Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Dingras , Ilocos Norte—Another successful fiesta celebration was once again witnessed in the municipality of Dingras, the 21 st Ani Festival 2014 with a multitude of programs and activities with the  theme “Nabuslon Nga Ani, Sarikedked Dagiti Umili’’. The 11-day fiesta celebration that ran from March 14 to 24, 2024 kicked off with Bless Dingras; Opening of the Agro Industrial, Commercial and Trade Fair; and a Worship Celebration. On March 16-18, 2024, the Elementary and Secondary Day was staged wherein a Floral parade was conducted in the morning followed by the coronation of their respective King and Queens for 2024 while the coronation of the Ms. NGA’s/N

VINTAR  residents revive loom weaving that once thrived in the community. (Photo courtesy of Erwin Suguitan) By Leilanie G. Adriano Vintar, Ilocos Norte—A vintage photo of a woman manually spinning thread in Vintar, Ilocos Norte, documented by an American writer in 1920, has sparked interest among residents to revive a cultural gem that once flourished in this landlocked municipality. Vintar, located some 330 miles north of Manila, was once known for Abel Iloco or Inabel, the traditional loom weaving industry. "A good friend sent this photo to me and I thought what a glorious way to display the history and culture of Vintar,” municipal tourism officer Erwin Suguitan told The Ilocos Times . He said the industry was said to have flourished “in the north of the river,” citing as proof a loom weaving machine displayed at the Museo de Siwawer at Brgy. Abkir. “And now, here comes this picture and its writeup that was copyrighted by a certain H. V. Rohrer and taken from the US

  MR.  Laoag ABC 2023 and newly crowned Mister Teenager Universe 2024 Lloyd Figueras receives a Plaque of Congratulations from Laoag Mayor Michael Keon and a “Resolution of Commendation” from the city’s Sangguniang Panlungsod represented by PCL National President Handy Lao. By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Laoag City —For the first time in this city’s history, a Laoagueño won this year’s Mister Teenager Universe 2024 pageant held in Bali, Indonesia. Lloyd Figueras, Mr. Laoag ABC 2023, represented the country in the prestigious universal search. Figueras, in his courtesy call and speech to the city hall particularly during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod said, he felt “overwhelmed with gratitude with the unwavering support the city government bestowed upon him throughout his journey in the pageant world”. He stressed that the encouragement given by the people of Laoag has been his “wind beneath his wings” in pushing him towards this remarkable experien

From left: Engr. Emer Rojas, President of New Vois Association of the Philippines; Melissa Ongsue, VP of Sales and Marketing at Hi Precision Diagnostics; Dr. Herdee Gloria Luna, President of Philippine Society of Oncologists; Dr. Jose Jasper Andal, pathologist from St. Luke’s Medical Center; Vannessa Ongsue, VP For Medical Services at Hi- Precision Diagnostics; and Nina Corpuz, broadcast journalist and health advocate. Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the Philippines, with lung cancer topping the list for cancer-related mortality in the nation. This comes as no surprise as almost a quarter of Filipinos aged 15 years and above smoke cigarettes, increasing the risk of developing lung cancer. The good news is lung cancer care has improved dramatically over the past decade, thanks to advances in early detection, innovative therapies, and increased understanding that lung cancer treatment is not “one size fits all.” However, in the Philippines, many cancer patients

SMART CROP. Drought-resistant crops at a seedling nursery at Brgy. Tabug, in the City of Batac. To aid farmers, the Ilocos Norte government has released over PHP15.1 million worth of irrigation assistance to mitigate the effects of El Niño, according to data released on March 15, 2024.( Lei Adriano) By Leilanie Adriano LAOAG CITY—Farmers in Ilocos Norte have received agricultural supplies worth over PHP15.1 million from the provincial government to mitigate the effects of El Niño. Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc confirmed this on March 15, 2024 after he reported that at least 140 units of water pumps and some 37 rolls of irrigation hose have been distributed to 140 farmers associations in the towns of Bacarra, Pasuquin, Vintar, Nueva Era, Pinili, Badoc, Dingras, Currimao, San Nicolas, and Solsona, Batac and this city. Fuel subsidy vouchers worth PHP3,000 each were also given as irrigation support to 766 recipients in the towns of Piddig, Vintar, Currimao, Burgos

Laoag City —The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of the provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) sustained its position as the Regional's Best PESO for 2023 during the Dept. of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Year-End Performance Assessment and Planning Exercise cum 2024 Congress in Alaminos City, Pangasinan, on March 13, 2024. PGIN-PESO also received the same recognition in 2017, 2019, and 2022. It  was also recognized for achieving the “Highest Number of Individuals Reached through Labor Market Information”, the “Highest Number of Hires on the Spot during Job Fairs”, the “Highest Number of Applicants Placed”, being the “Best Implementer of the TUPAD Program”, having the “Highest Number of Registered Employers”, winning the “Kabuhayan Awards 2023 for Implementing Livelihood Programs”, being the “Top Performing PESO in Career Development Support Programs”, receiving “Special Citations for Implementing Job Start Philippines”, and for “Timely and Complete Submission of Sta