Ilocos Norte News

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Province of Ilocos Norte - Archived News

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
Ilocos norte capitol 01.jpgIlocos Norte Provincial Capitol

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

DSWD releases P20.3 M for indigent senior citizens

LAOAG CITY- A total of 2,143 indigent senior citizens in Ilocos Norte are recipients of a stipend from the Department of Social Work and Development, which has alloted P20,344,500 for Region 1.

Region 1 has 13,563 indigent senior citizens who receive a monthly stipend of P1,500 each, under the government’s social pension program (SPS).

The funds were distributed among 121 municipalities in the region. While the pensioners in Ilocos Norte came from its 21 municipalities and 2 cities, respectively.

However, according to Iryn Q. Delos Reyes, information officer of DSWD, there were only 13,378 who attended the distribution. A total of 185 social pensioners were not able to come due to sickness and other difficulties.

The Regional Social Pension Unit coordinated with the Local Government Units (LGUs) for the reschedule of releasing of stipend for those who did not attend the scheduled release.

“We thank the help of our government who pity poor senior citizens like us” shared by ‘Lola Pascuala’, 80 years old in Banna Ilocos Norte said in an interview with the DSWD.

Lola Pascuana also mentioned that the monthly stipend that she received is used to buy more nutritious foods, medicine and vitamins.

The Social Pension program of the national government intends to serve indigent senior citizens who are frail, sickly and disabled.

Beneficiaries of the program are senior citizens 77 years old and above, without any regular source of income and/or support from any member of the family, and not receiving other pension benefits from government and private agencies.

The beneficiaries came from the list of the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) of the DSWD, which is the database identifying who and where the poor families are.

The social pension program is provided under Republic Act No. 9994, also known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act (ESCA) of 2010.

DOLE, LC City Govt offer summer jobs for students

LAOAG CITY- The City Government of Laoag in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment is offering jobs for students this summer.

Mayor Michael V. Farinas said the city government has committed 250 summer jobs for children from poor families to help them finance their studies for the next school year.

This summer employment is the Special Program for Students (SPES) mandated under Republic Act 7325 aimed at helping poor but deserving students pursue their education by encouraging their employment during summer and/or Christmas vacation and providing income to finance, augment or subsidize their studies.

Mylene Isabel Pascual, City Community Affairs Officer, said Mayor Farinas has always prioritized education which is why the city government keeps on increasing the number of summer jobs since it started in 1993. And for this year, it is offering 250 slots, the biggest accommodation by any local government unit in the province.

Under the program, the City Government will pay 60 percent of the salaries while the DOLE will shoulder the remaining 40 percent. The minimum wage in the province is pegged at P309.90 per day.

The summer employment program is open to high school, college or vocational students or drop-outs, 15-25 years old, who wish to pursue education. They will be screened depending on their parents’ income which should not exceed the annual provincial poverty threshold for a family of 6 which is P101,970 per annum.

The program will begin next month.

Youth attend fun-filled summer classes in Laoag

LAOAG CITY- Like other children, Jeaspher is on summer vacation. But more than just having a fun vacation, Jeaspher is also learning. That is because this 10-year old is into badminton. Every morning, he goes to the Laoag City Basketball Court to join 19 other kids to learn to play the sport.

Jeaspher and 19 other kids are part of the more than 2,000 youth from Laoag City and nearby towns in Ilocos Norte who are attending fun-filled summer classes as “Sama-Summer Together with MVF” begins.

Now on its 8th year, the Sama-Summer is a free activity geared in developing the youth of the city through the conduct of sports clinic, art workshops, and tutorials. A brainchild of Mayor Michael V. Farinas, this activity aims to discover and polish talents in sports, arts, and enhance the academic abilities of the youth in mathematics, creative writing, and computer applications. This also keeps them away from drugs and bad habits, and from being idle.

Hipolito Salva, City Sports and Games Regulations Officer, said the participants are enrolled either in Sports, Arts, and Academic Tutorials.

Aside from badminton, there are those enrolled in regular sports like basketball, badminton, volleyball, football, taekwondo, chess, lawn tennis, table tennis, among others.

Others are enrolled in painting and drawing, dancing, guitar lessons, basic photography, personality development, creative writing, singing/voice lessons, and public speaking; while other participants are having daily tutorials in General Mathematics.

The classes are being held in various venues throughout the city and will run for one month.

Laoag City govt offers free circumcision

LAOAG CITY- As part of its Programs for Adolescents and Reproductive Health, the City Government of Laoag is offering free circumcision this summer.

According to Felicitas Santiago, City Population Program Officer, everything will be free for the patients, including antibiotics and pain relievers needed for post-surgery.

“We are targeting 500 males, including adults who want to be circumcised,” Santiago said.

The activity will be conducted in the following venues: Barangay 59-A, April 23; Barangay 42, April 25; Barangay 49-B, April 30; Barangay 28, May 2; and Laoag City Hall, May 7.

“Those interested need not enlist as this will be done on a ‘first-come-first serve’ basis. Those from other barangays only have to go to the nearest venue,” Santiago said.

Doctors from the newly-upgraded Laoag City General Hospital (LCGH) and City Health Office (CHO) will conduct the minor surgery. They will be assisted by nurses from the CHO, Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).

The activity is conducted in cooperation with the Sangguniang Kabataan of Laoag, LCGH, CHO, DPS and PNRC.

Bangko Sentral upgrades learning center for students, researchers

BATAC CITY– The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has strengthened its Economic and Financial Learning Center (EFLC) to fully serve its clientele who are in need of information in the areas of central banking, economics and finance.

The EFLC is a one-stop shop where researchers, students, visitors can access data that are produced and monitored by the BSP.

The center, located at the BSP Batac branch office, will be re-launched on May 14.

“The center symbolizes our commitment to institutionalize and sustain a comprehensive financial education program for all Filipinos,” Matias, galido, Jr., BSP-Batac Deputy Director, said.

On same day, the BSP will also open the Economic and Financial Learning Program (EFLP) which brings together the BSP’s outreach educational activities under one flagship program.

The program is meant to promote greater awareness on economic and financial issues to help the public generate knowledge and develop the skills that would guide them in their financial decisions.

After the twin launch, BSP will be conducting a briefing on recent economic developments and the role of the BSP in the economy.

The briefing will focus on the three pillars of central banking which include price and financial stability and efficient payments and settlement systems. A discussion on the new generation Philippine currency will be included.

Other activities lined up after the launching are the following: Financial Empowerment Course for the Academe on May 15; Financial Learning Campaign for Overseas Filipinos and their Beneficiaries on May 16; Financial Empowerment Course for the Workforce also on may 16 and Financial Learning Seminar for Microfinance Clients and the Unbanked on May 16.

News feature: More reasons to visit Ilocos Norte this summer

LAOAG CITY- More culture. More glorious food. More street pageantry. More hospitality. More fun.

There are more reasons to visit Ilocos Norte this summer as its towns celebrate festivals amidst eco-tourism wonders, historical pilgrimage sites, cultural treasures and sports-adventure playgrounds.

Badoc, the province’s first town to welcome the wide-eyed traveler, will celebrate the Bado-Badoc Festival from April 19-26. The town is home to the pilgrimage site of the Diocesan Sanctuary of Our Lady Cause of Our Joy or La Virgen Milagrosa church. For this year’s festival, the town promotes its products made out of corn husks and Bado-Bado grass, which is indigenous in its riverbanks. These raw materials can be fashioned into baskets, table-runners and decorations. There will be parades, street dancing, pageantry and a trade fair showcasing the town’s beauty, talent and products.

Pinili, the next town north of Badoc, celebrates Bawang Festival from April 16 to 20. The festival is a tribute to the town’s major product, Garlic. Street dancing, parades, an agro-industrial trade fair will meet locals and tourists alike to the town’s grand event.

Not far from Badoc is the town of Currimao, famous for its ‘kakanin’ and beautiful beaches. A coastal town, it pays tribute to its fishermen and primary industry and gives homage to the Almighty for the rich marine life as it celebrates Dinaklisan Festival from April 29 to May 1. People come together for the float parade, street dancing, and the coronation of the town’s loveliest maiden, among others. And on May 1, there will be a grand fluvial parade where fishermen throw their nets into the sea to catch fish (daklis in Iluko) after which the catch will be grilled and shared by the townspeople along the shore.

In nearby Batac City, farmers and the bountiful harvest are the focus of the Farmers Festival of Rural Barangays. Beginning May 1 until May 6, there will be talent contests, an agro-industrial fair showcasing the various products from 30 rural barangays, a Farmers Ball where farmers and their families get together for a night of dancing, a cooking fest focusing on the taste of ‘old Batac’, a carabao-painting contest, a parade of carosas bearing lovely muses from the barangays, a street dancing contest interpreting the various agricultural products and the crowning of Balasang ti Away (Dalagang Bukid) or Farmers Festival Queen of Rural Barangays.

For those who want to trek into the breathtaking mountains of Ilocos and witness the great tribal culture, the town of Adams celebrates Tadek-Bagat Festival until the 20th of April. Tadek is Yapayao word for ‘tribe’ and bagat means ‘celebration.’ The town is home to the Yapayaos and Kankana-eys.

The province of Ilocos Norte is among the top tourist destinations in the country. Tourism and the preservation of the rich culture and heritage of the province are among the priorities of Governor Imee Marcos. The provincial tourism office has recently unveiled its ‘Paoay Kumakaway’ tourism pitch in the local and international market to attract more tourists. Gov. Marcos is pushing for tourism as one of the province’s largest employer as it consistently generated more jobs and revenues and spawned industries.

Indigenous women in Nueva Era trained to processed fruits

LAOAG CITY- At least 35 indigenous women from various rural women organizations were trained to process in-season ripe fruits in Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte.

Packed in class and style, women in the said village introduced a food product they called "Salukag Food." Salukag is an Ilocano vernacular meaning strong and healthy.

Venturing into processing fruits helps local farmers to at least return their capital when local market gives low prices to their crops during peak season.

Fruits like native mangoes are processed into mango pure concentrates, mango jam, and candies.

A combination of local fruits are also being processed by the women, such as candies named "mangorind," a combination of mango and tamarind and "camorind’ which is a combination of camote and tamarind.

All their home-made products are tastefully made with a dip of natural honey harvested from their forest with no preservatives.

Nueva Era Vice Mayor Carolyn Garvida, who led the program, encouraged women in their village to venture into food processing for an additional family income.

“Mothers like us are not only concerned on how to take care of our home and family. We have also talents and skills to augment our family income”, she said.

Initially, the local government of Nueva Era shelled out P90,000 to finance the project. Their government aims to provide livelihood assistance to women using what is abundant in their area.

The local government of Nueva Era hopes to develop a market niche to promote their locally-made food products ready to compete in international market.

680,000 tourists arrived in Ilocos Norte for Holy Week

LAOAG CITY- Around 680,000 international and domestic tourists visited Ilocos Norte last Holy Week, a staggering 300 percent increase from last year's number.

This is based on the records from the owners of hotels, home stay, lodging houses, traffic and tourist centers from around the province.

Based on the province’s official website, hotels and other accommodations were fully booked and others who were not able to reserved were accommodated by private houses while other tourists set-up tents along the shores.

Governor Imee R. Marcos was overwhelmed with the unexpected increase of tourist visits in the province. Marcos said she did not anticipate that kind of number of tourists to visit the province this year.

The provincial government gives credit to the television advertisement launched this year, the “Paoay Kumakaway” that has reached millions of viewers aired internationally and locally.

Tourism campaign through advertisements and online promos also contributed to the success of tourism this year.

Among the most visited destinations in the province were the Kapurpurawan rock formation in Burgos, Rock Formation of Burgos, Pagudpud beaches, Bangui Viewdeck, and the Windmills.

Tourists also got hooked with sand boarding in Paoay and La Paz San dunes. While the Marcos museum in Batac, where the remains of late President Ferdinand Marcos are located, was filled with thousands of tourists.

The provincial government continues to beef up the marketing tourism brand of Ilocos Norte to attract more tourists to visit Ilocos Norte and its fine sceneries.

The remarkable number of tourists brought livelihood to the locals especially those who sell Ilocano food/ cuisine and souvenir items.

Last year, tourists arrivals in the province during the holy week was recorded at 191,300.

Graduating students undergo career, employment coaching

LAOAG CITY- Graduating students from various colleges of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Batac City attended the Career and Employment Coaching Program conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment recently to guide them in their job search. A total of 1,679 graduating students attended the seminar at the university’s Teatro Ilocandia.

Leonavella Dadiz, Information Officer of the DOLE-Ilocos Norte Field Office, said that through the program, they are able to coach the students on employment and provide them with knowledge on labor markets.

“We help them prepare themselves in applying for a job. We teach them on how to prepare their resume, how to handle job interviews, and the like,” Dadiz said.

The DOLE likewise presented to the graduating students an overview of the labor market – which careers are in-demand and where to apply.

“We have an oversupply of graduates from nursing and education that is why they should know what other options they have for their careers. The most in-demand are still in information technology,” Dadiz explained .

With the conduct of the above activity, MMSU is confident that their graduates are equipped with the vital and necessary guidance, information and techniques they need in search for employment.

SMEs attend DOLE seminars in Ilocos Norte

LAOAG CITY- Proprietors of small and medium enterprises attended seminars conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment in Ilocos Norte recently to inform them of labor laws and standards and find out if they are complying with these.

DOLE Information Officer Leonavella Dadiz said that rather than the DOLE inspectors going to these establishments, the department had them come together for the Technical Assistance Visit seminars at Texicano Hotel in Laoag City.

“The DOLE has inspectors checking on all business establishments, big or small. But since we lack inspectors to cover all establishments, the department decided to just conduct the seminars for the smaller businesses. This is our solution to inspect them at the same time,” Dadiz said.

Seventy-nine establishments, all employing not more 10 workers, attended the seminars.

DOLE Provincial Chief Engracio Bailon and other officials discussed various topics which included general labor standards (GLS); providing and promoting a child labor-free workplace; providing just compensation and related benefits; and establishing a safe and healthy workplace.

During the seminar, participants were given a checklist on GLS and action plan forms to accomplish.

Dadiz explained that through the checklist, they will be able to evaluate if the businesses are complying with labor standards.

“For example, we will know if they do not follow the minimum wage law by the answers they give on the checklist. And in case they do, we will give them six months to correct it. DOLE inspectors will be conducting follow-up visits in these establishments to monitor the implementation of their action plans,” Dadiz explained.

“These seminars provided the participants a greater understanding of the various topics presented, hence, helping them preserve and enhance their respective business undertakings and relationship with their workforce,” Dadiz said.

DOLE-INFO conducts Job Fair to 1,224 newly grads

LAOAG CITY- The Department of Labor and Employment-Ilocos Norte Field Office (DOLE- INFO), together with the city government of Batac and Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) conducted recently a jobs fair for the university's newly graduates.

More than 1,200 new graduates joined the fair held at the University’s Function Hall in Batac City last March 21.

Available slots opened in the fair include marketing specialist, accounting, cooperative agents, hotel and restaurant managers and other business administration positions.

The activity aimed at providing immediate work for the young graduates so as to minimize unemployment in the country.

A total of 663 job vacancies, were offered by the 14 participating local employers who participated in the event.

At the end of the day after undergoing written examinations and interviews, 17 job seekers were hired on the spot for marketing, accounting and cooperative agents. Other applicants have to undergo further interview and examinations in order to match their qualification to the available job slots.

The Social Security System (SSS) also attended the event to provide automatic enrolment for the employees’ insurance benefit.

MMSU and the City of Batac is looking forward to another partnership in bringing jobs closer to young seekers hopeful for an employment after graduation.

Fisherman loses arm in dynamite blast

A 48-year-old fisherman was rushed to a hospital on Good Friday after he was severely injured in a dynamite explosion in Barangay Pansian in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

The injured victim, identified as Esteban Malabo, is now in stable condition at Ablan Hospital.

Malabo lost his right arm in the incident and sustained wounds all over his face and body.

He can move his body but cannot speak.

Doctors said his vision may also be affected because of the blast.

The injured Esteban was found by residents along the shoreline. Authorities said it is possible that the fisherman was just about to set sail when the dynamite exploded.

The victim’s family, meanwhile, said Esteban is a carpenter who only sidelines as a fisherman.

They said they did not know that Esteban possessed explosives.

Police are considering filing charges against Esteban as dynamite are commonly used for illegal fishing.

Feature: Fire safety always starts with you

LAOAG CITY- Yes, fire safety always starts with you! You must be informed and involved in fire safety and prevention.

This month of March the nation observes Fire Prevention Month during which fire prevention activities are done by the Bureau of Fire Protection, local government units, other agencies and various sectors. March was chosen as the month since it marks the beginning of the hot, dry season during which most fires occur.

The observance began in 1967 under Proclamation No. 115-A issued by President Ferdinand Marcos on November 17, 1966.

The theme for this year’s observance is “Makiisa, Makialam at Makipagtulungan upang Sunog ay Maiwasan.”

All activities of the BFP in observance of Fire Prevention Month are aimed at promoting awareness and knowledge in fire safety and prevention.

Laoag City Fire Marshall Bonifacio Sacatrapos reminds you of some fire prevention measures:

Do not smoke in bed. Or when you are drowsy. Crush your cigarette butts thoroughly before discarding them. Or put water on butts before discarding them. Do not throw lighted cigarettes into waste baskets because there could be other flammable materials such as paper, plastic inside. Also, provide large and deep ashtray for smokers.

Keep lighted candles, oil or gas lamps away from curtains, fabrics and other objects that easily catch fire. And never leave them unattended. Many fires had been caused by unattended lighted candles during brownouts.

Keep matches and lighters away from children’s reach. Teach children that these are not toys to play with.

Do not use open flame decorations in the house.

Be careful when cooking. Never leave cooking unattended. If you must attend to other matters in the house, make sure there are no flammable substances or items near the stove. And be sure, too, to check what you are cooking from time to time.

If a pot catches fire, cover it with a lid to smoother the flames and turn off the stove immediately. After cooking, extinguish all lighted charcoals and embers and turn off the burner.

Kerosene and gas stove should be checked for leakage and regularly cleaned.

Make sure the kitchen is inspected before retiring at night. Check on the stove, sockets, electricity, among others.

Check regularly your electrical installations, and have all frayed wiring, damaged sockets, switches and other defective electrical fixtures changed or repaired by a qualified electrician.

Do not overload your electrical circuits by profusely putting extra lights and appliances.

And if you can afford it, install and maintain smoke alarms to warn you of a fire.

Remember, there is a lot you can do to prevent a fire.

Feature: San Nicolas goes ‘Kalikasanicolas’

LAOAG CITY- Mang Herman Chiong, a resident of Brgy. 12, San Nicolas is worried about waste management in his town. He lives near malls and businesses centers in San Nicolas.

“I have with me containers in which I can segregate my wastes, from biodegradable, non-biodegradable to plastic and bottles that can be sold to junk shop,” said Mang Herman while sweeping his backyard one morning.

Waste segregation should be a way of life. It’s a reflection on how the people are disciplined and organized in a community. It is a helpful way of minimizing wastes which can be a threat to the people’s health and to the environment at large.

Thus, the local government of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte headed by Mayor Alfredo Valdez Jr. launched a campaign on environmental management with their tagline called ‘Kalikasanicolas’.

The tagline is a combination of the Filipino word ‘Kalikasan’ combined with their municipal name San Nicolas.

‘Kalikasanicolas’ dealt with the strict implementation of the solid waste management in their municipality. This is in line with national government’s Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

Each barangay shall segregate their wastes first before the garbage truck collects them. The segregation includes biodegradable, non-biodegradable, plastic, metal craft, and hazardous waste.

The strict implementation of this program eyes for a complete zero-waste management in the place where commercial establishments continue to rise.

Vice Mayor Maria Teresa Barrett said, “The residents are still coping up with the implementation. They are still adjusting with the system since before we just collect their garbage with no segregation”

“But now our waste management board are very strict, they will not collect their waste without proper segregation”, she stressed.

To implement the program, the local government came up with Ordinance No. 2011-13. Garbage collection follows a strict schedule and operation and fora are conducted in barangays to remind the locals on proper waste segregation

On the street, garbage containers for different kinds of garbage are lined up for people’s use. A material recovery facility (MRF) is also established in the municipality where proper segregation of the collected garbage are located.

To boost the said program, San Nicolas has also acquired a 6-hectare land for the construction of a sanitary landfill.

Alongside with the proper waste segregation, the ‘Kalikasanicolas’ is also doing a regular tree-planting, canal clean-up in barangays, and ‘Itaktak mo’ an anti-dengue campaign during mondays.

Mang Herman is very grateful of the program, since the people can now have an avenue for a clean and green society. He now throws his garbage in receptacles along municipal roads on specific days as his participation to the program.

Barrett also hopes that these continuing programs of their municipality instill total awareness to its people for the love of environment. She looks forward for a clean, green and safe municipality to live in.

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