The Ilocos Times

LAOAG  Councilor James Alcid defends his measure requesting the removal of plant boxes and overlay pavement which has effectively suspended the construction of a bike lane along the bypass road. (Inset) The suspended construction of a bike lane along the bypass road in Laoag City.  (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Laoag City —The construction of A bike lane along the Rodolfo C.G. Farinas Jr. bypass road remains suspended following another resolution passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod here. Laoag councilor James Bryan Alcid requested the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-Region 1 office) to remove the plant boxes and overlay pavement of the suspended government project launched by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), along the Rodolfo C.G. Fariñas Jr. bypass road, which he said should to be replaced by thermoplastic paint with solar studs and to be painted with cautionary color scheme. The Philippine Highway Network under the Philippine

  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

By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Laoag City —In time for the Laoag City Pamulinawen Festival 2023, the city government here has reopened the operation of the Laoag City Sports Complex, otherwise known as the Laoag City Cockpit Arena, situated at Brgy. 1 this city on Jan. 27, 2023. On the Jan. 4, 2023 regular session, Laoag councilor Atty. Jason Bader Perera sponsored an urgent measure coming from Laoag Mayor Michael M. Keon asking for an authority to issue a special permit to Engr. Jofrey B. Felipe for the conduct of cockfighting derby at the LC Sports Complex on Jan. 27 and Feb. 1, 2023. The council gave the requested authority, and on Jan. 26, 2023, Keon and Laoag Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas led the blessing and the re-opening of the Laoag City Sports Complex (LCSC), a day before the formal opening which was attended by new management headed by Felipe, several members of the city council and business establishment owners that will be operating during the cockfighting

By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Laoag City —In a move to help avoid future wide-scale flooding in the province and with the effect of typhoon Ineng in 2019 still fresh on everyone’s minds, the provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) along with four government agencies officially launched Phase 1 of the Padsan River Restoration Project through a ceremonial dredging in Metro Gabu, this city, on Dec. 15, 2022. PGIN, through the Provincial Quarry Office, has been collaborating with the Depts. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and DENR’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), as well as the official contractor, He Sha Prime Sand & Gravel Aggregates Philippines Inc., to conduct vital research, studies, and campaigns for the project. Present during the ceremonial dredging were Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc, Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, regional d

By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Laoag City —As the closed-circuit television (CCTV) system has proven effective on both deterring and solving crimes, the Sangguniang Panlungsod here amended City Ordinance No. 2020-054. The amendment expands the coverage of its application, requiring a minimum specification, number and location of CCTV installation, and regulating the examination, duplication and recording of CCTV footage along with penalties of violations. Laoag councilor Jason Bader Perera, who authored the ordinance said the ordinance shall now include business establishments with a capital lower than PHP500,000, and on their own discretion may install a CCTV security system in accordance to their needs. Bader added that this include all restaurants and carinderias, irrespective of the amount of their capitalization, that are serving alcoholic beverages to the public. The amended ordinance also includes all privately owned educational institutions and dashboard ca

By Dominic B. dela Cruz  (Staff Reporter) Laoag City —Elected barangay officials in this city who had served for three consecutive terms in the same position will soon receive cash incentives from the city government. Laoag councilor Jason Bader Perera made this announcement after the Sangguniang Panlungsod unanimously passed a measure to this effect. Perera, who authored the said ordinance, explained that the incentives are for the barangay officials’ being in the frontlines in the delivery of basic services, maintenance of peace and order as well as other government services. He added that despite the work they give and provide, they receive “insignificant benefits”, and low honoraria, instead of regular salaries. Perera cited Section 458 (a) of the Local Government Code which empowers the Sangguniang Panlungsod to enact ordinances and appropriate funds for the general welfare of the city and its inhabitants pursuant to section 16 of this code. Section 393 of the same cod

By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Laoag City —To keep up with the increasing demands of local governance, the city government here has created various positions in its different offices. Laoag councilor Juan Conrado Respicio said that it is an imperative to create various positions in different office. Section 76 of Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the “Local Government Code of 1991”, states that “Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern—Every local government unit shall design and implement its own organizational structure and staffing pattern taking into consideration its service requirements and financial capability, subject to the minimum standards and guidelines prescribed by the Civil Service Commission.” Section 458 paragraph (a) (1) (viii) of the same code also provides for the power of the Sanggunian Panlungsod to determine the positions and the salaries, wages, allowances and other emoluments and benefits of officials and employees paid wholly or mai

By Dominic B. dela Cruz  (Staff Reporter) Laoag City —The city-owned cockpit arena will soon to resume operations after the Sangguniang Panlungsod of here allowed its resumption for two years on its present location. Laoag councilor Jason Bader Perera said that the decision to reopen the arena is based on the amended part of the zoning ordinance which states: “A cockpit may be established in open agricultural areas providing a 100-meter radial distance from residential, commercial, institutional and educational uses, and in compliance with existing national laws, to, “a cockpit may be established in a commercial area providing a 20-meter distance from residential, commercial and institutional uses and 100-meter radial distance for educational uses and if it is an open agricultural area then a 100-meter radial distance from residential, commercial, institutional and educational uses, and in compliance with existing national laws”. During the discussion, Perera cited a jurisprudenc

Newly installed BIR-Ilocos Norte District Officer Marilou Sapungan fields questions from the local media as she announces that the Laoag City-Ilocos Norte district office has reached its target collection for June—PHP135 million. ( Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Laoag City —Despite the COVID-pandemic, newly installed Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)-Laoag District Officer Marilou G. Sapungan announced that they reached their PHP135 million target collection for June. She added that she hopes they will also reach their PHP142 million target collection this July, or an increase of PHP7 million from last month. The Ilocos Times learned that target collection for the Laoag District for 2021 is PHP1.8 billion; and Sapungan is hopeful they will realize this with the help of taxpayers here who usually pay their obligations “promptly and honestly.” To reach this goal, Sapungan said they will strictly implement the district’s plans and programs including the

Photo by Dulce Valenzuela Ilocos Norte provincial treasurer and BLGF local representative Josephine P. Calajate (middle) leads the inspection of documents at the office of former Laoag City treasurer Elena Asuncion to help in the investigation of the missing PHP85.4 million from the city government’s coffers while city treasurer Diomedes Gayban (standing left) and other city hall employees look on. (Photo by Dulce Valenzuela) By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Laoag City —After five years of being padlocked and off-limits to everyone, the Commission on Audit (COA) and the Department of Finance (DOF)-Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) have approved the re-opening of the padlocked City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) on June 22, 2021. Laoag Vice Mayor Vicentito M. Lazo said the opening of the sealed office was approved and signed by the local COA and BLGF representatives in response to the twin resolutions passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod addressed to the COA and the DOF f

Laoag City —The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and the city government of Laoag will soon establish a nipa plantation in the city of Laoag. In a resolution, certified as urgent by Laoag Mayor Michael M. Keon, and unanimously approved by the city council sponsored by the committee of the whole led by Laoag councilor Juan Conrado Respicio as movant, MMSU and Laoag City will enter a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the said purpose. Respicio, who chairs the committee on ethics, rules and regulations, said the nipa resource establishment supports the “Expanded National Greening Program” and the production of bio-ethanol, a climate change mitigation and a source of livelihood. The nipa, which is a mangrove species, has been shown by MMSU as a promising source of bioethanol to augment the shortage of locally produced bioethanol as required by RA 9367 known as Biofuels Act of 2006 and reduce the country’s dependency on imported fossil fuels. “The valuable economic and ecologi

Laoag City --The city government here is set to grant financial relief to displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are registering new business here. The approved measure was sponsored by Laoag councilor Handy T. Lao in connection with RA No. 11494 also known as the “Bayanihan Recover as One Act ” which provides that “the State shall establish mechanism to reduce the adverse impact of COVID-19 ion the socioeconomic well-being of all Filipinos through the provision of assistance, subsidies and other forms of socio-economic relief”. According to Lao, there are several OFWs from Laoag who lost their jobs, work or employment abroad during the COVID-19 either through “end of contract”, termination, resignation, dismissal, or other mode of termination that needs financial relief in registering new business during the year 2021. The urgent measure further states that the displaced OFWs shall submit proof of work or employment abroad, notice of termination or any proof of terminat

  By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Laoag City —In line with the PHP85.4 missing money form the city government’s coffers, the Sangguniang Panlungsod here appealed to the Commission on Audit (COA) to open the padlocked office of former city government treasurer Elena Asuncion, who has since absconded. All council members present during a regular session unanimously approved the resolution for an inventory of the city government properties at the said office; and preserve those which needs to be preserved and to allow the use of the said office space by the city government in a manner the city deems appropriate. Laoag councilor Juan Conrado Respicio, who moved for the resolution’s approval, said that in June 2016, Asuncion absconded, which led to the discovery of the loss of more or less PHP85.4 million in taxpayers’ money of the city. After the discovery of the missing funds, Respicio said COA padlocked the office, and has remains so until now. Relative to this, he sa

Laoag City recently won as the cleanest and greenest city in the province. (File photo) By Dominic B. dela Cruz  (Staff Reporter) Laoag City —The National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) commended Laoag City’s 10-year solid waste management (SWM) plan. Laoag Mayor Michael M. Keon presented the plan to the 14-members NSWMC group who came from the different government sectors and non-government organizations, particularly in the recycling and plastic industry. The mayor said the 10-year plan is all about the future strategy and course of action of the city regarding the proper management of wastes. The presentation included the city’s projection on the collection, storage, transfer and disposal of wastes collected from the different households and establishments including diversion of wastes for the next 10 years.   According to the mayor, the city’s SWM plan garnered favorable response from the NSWMC compared in the past 20 years when city failed to present the plan

By Leilanie G. Adriano  (Staff Reporter) LAOAG CITY—Business owners may soon be able to apply or renew their business licenses online through an internet-based program developed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to prevent direct contact and possible coronavirus transmissions. Laoag Mayor Michael M. Keon said the city’s electronic business permits and licensing system (EBPLS) is the first of its kind in the region to ease business registration and license application procedures, which may take some time and may necessitate close contact with other people—violating physical distancing protocols. “This is a testament to our thrust for a more business-friendly, competitive, and progressive Laoag City by providing a more efficient way of doing business and eliminating red tape in the government,” he said. Mr. Keon added the new system will also facilitate the fast issuance of business permits which will be convenient for the business owners becau

Laoag Mayor Michael M. Keon and Laoag councilor Handy Lao, chairperson of the committee on agriculture, lead the ceremonial stocking of modified intensive fry rearing of tilapia to advanced fingerling stage for village level production at Brgy. 60-B Madiladig. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz  (Staff Reporter) Laoag City —To ensure quality fingerlings supplies for fisher folks in the city, the city government stocked at least 600,000 fries were at the Natures Wealth Probiotics Fish Farm located at Sitio Baldias, Barangay 60-B Madiladig, this city. Laoag mayor Michael M. Keon and Laoag councilor Handy Lao, chairperson of the council’s committee on agriculture, personally visited the site recently for the “ceremonial stocking of modified intensive fry rearing of tilapia to advanced fingerling stage for village level production”. Mr. Keon said this is a joint project between the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Re

By Dominic B. dela Cruz (Staff Reporter) Laoag City —The Court of Appeals (CA) first Division has dismissed the petition of Laoag councilor Roger John Fariñas on the disapproved City Ordinance No. 2016-111 granting franchise to Alejendro “Bong” Taylan to operate the Laoag City Sports Complex (LCSC) for a period of five (5) years. CA Associate Justice Nina G Antonio-Valenzuela penned the decision dismissing the petition. The Sanggunian Panlalawigan earlier disapproved the city ordinance on February 2017; based on a committee report which said subject ordinance was void for being “ultra vires” as it failed to indicate the citizenship of the franchisee (Taylan). The said ordinance also did not indicate the scheduled days of cockfighting, the location of the cockpits and the effectivity of the franchise. An earlier petition prayed that the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 12 will issue a writ of certiorari against the higher sanggunian for its disapproval. However, the provincia