The Ilocos Times

Ni Rodel Moreno Jr. Naragsak a rugi ti inna inpaay, Dik napanunot nga into ket malpay Ti ayat, nga naminsan na nga inpaay, Itan ket napukaw, ti damag ko apay? Apay nga kasanu iti napasamak? Isuna't pummanaw, siak imbati nak Itan agsangsangit puso ken kararwak, Agsubli pay ngata mangpabang-ar toy riknak? Kastaunay iti panag ladladingit, Kada malagip uray ko la maisangit Dik ammun nu kasano, makapabagtit! Makaungar pay ngata pusok nga napitpit? Kasano itan nga makakatawa? No intugot na amin, awan imbati na, Ngem uray manpay timmalaw ka, ay-ayaten ka latta Ta sika lat makaigapu no apay sisibiag nak tatta.

(Photos courtesy of LEAD Movement) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Laoag City —In a bid to put safety regulations for the environment, particularly the province’s coastlines, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is studying a move to regulate the operation of off-road driving operations. Off-road driving with the use 4x4 vehicles has become a tourist attraction in the province, especially for extreme sports enthusiasts. Draft Provincial Ordinance No. 2014-06-026 sponsored by Philippine Councilors’ League-Ilocos Norte chapter president and ex-officio provincial board member Domingo Ambrocio Jr. said the Ilocos Norte sand dunes ordinance primarily aims to preserve the natural terrain of this province’s natural geological sprawling coastline that traverses Currimao to Pasuquin town in this northern Luzon island. The Ilocanos’ unique innovation of 4x4 adventure and sand boarding in the country’s premiere eco-tourism destination has contributed to a steady influx of

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Laoag City —More Ilocanos now enjoy safe drinking water after the Ilocos Norte Water District (INWD) exceeded its target of 95 percent efficiency. Over the past 13 years, INWD general manager John Teodoro said that since the end of December last year, Ilocos Norte’s access to a potable water system has improved from 68 percent in 1990 to 95 percent in 2013. In terms of water sanitation, Mr. Teodoro said Ilocos Norte has already surpassed the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) target of 82.9 percent by 2015. By localizing the MDG targets in Ilocos Norte, most of these are water-related, the local government units of Ilocos Norte in cooperation with the government-owned and -controlled corporation of INWD has intensified its drive to improve its water sanitation by developing water management strategies and promote both equitable access and adequate supplies. By the year 2015, the United Nations has resolved to halve the propor

Naragsakan ni Ilocos Norte Gobernador Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos gapu ta adda dagiti sumagmamano a pannakabagi ti National Irrigation Administration (NIA) iti Regional Office ditoy probinsia. Daytoy ket tapno pagsasaritaanda ti pannakapaadda iti pagurnongan ti danum ken pannakatarimaan dagiti dadakkel a dams nga inpatakder pay laeng daydi amana a sigud a Pres. Ferdinand Marcos iti dumaya a paset ti probinsia. Dinakamatna dagiti daan a dam a kas iti Labugaon, Madongan idiay Solsona, Nueva Era, Papa ken dadduma pay a perdin dagitoy a nasken a matarimaandan. Kidkiddawenna nga imbes a dagiti maar-aramid a babassit a kanal nga alisto met a madadael, nasaysayaat laengen a matarimaan dagiti dam a pagnaan iti danum. Inbatadna a kitkitaenda dagiti lima a kangruanan a dam iti dumaya a paset ti Ilocos Norte ken inayonda iti national greening and reforestration. Malaksid iti daytoy, kitaenda pay dagiti sabsabali a baro nga areas kas idiay Qiuom idiay Batac a bumaba met ti d

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Laoag City —Aiming for “zero casualty” during typhoons, Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos said she also wants shelter for animals readily available in barangays hardest hit by typhoons. While preparing for evacuation centers classified as one to three stars based on its capacity to handle the number of evacuees, Ms. Marcos has also urged barangay officials in highly vulnerable areas of the province to construct farmers’ animal shelter where they can put their animals for safety whenever there is a strong typhoon here. At Barangay Catangraran in Solsona town for example, residents there were quick to respond to the governor’s call, as they now have in place animal shelter and feed stock. The establishment of animal shelter ensures the safety of animals in distress in every barangay, Ms. Marcos stressed citing these animals are very important to the livelihood of farmers. In previous years, it has been observed

By Emmanuel Samonte Tipon Hawaii contributor Filipino -Americans in Hawaii might have lost the first district U.S. congressional race when State Senate President Donna Mercado Kim failed to maintain her front runner status in the August 9 primary election, but they won at least 9 state legislative and city council posts. Complete results for the Hawaii primary election may be found at http://hawaii.gov/elections/results/2014/primary/elections/results/2014/primary/files/histatewide.pdf Winners for the State Senate were Lorraine Rodero Inouye (Big Island) and Gil S. Coloma Keith Agaran (Maui). For the State House, the winners were: Joy A. San Buenaventura (Hawaiian Acres, Pahoa, Kalapana) Della Au Belatti (Moilili, Makiki), Romy Cachola (Kalihi), Henry J.C. Aquino (Waipahu), Rose Martinez (Ewa Beach, Iroquois Point), and Michael Yadao Magaoay (Mililani, Schofield, Kunia). Honolulu City Council outright winner is Brandon Elefante (Aiea, Pearl City, Waipahu). He defeated

(Photo courtesy of SFO1 Marlou C. Colobong) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Solsona , Ilocos Norte—Hundreds of barangay residents living in low lying areas of the province often hit by typhoon were evacuated on Aug. 11 at the civic center of this town. Using heavy equipment and speed boats, members of the Philippine National Police, Philippine Navy and trained rescue teams from the Ilocos Norte provincial government carried children and senior citizens as they brave the raging floodwaters overflowing from the riverbanks. This is just one of the scenarios foisted by the provincial government to prepare the province for possible calamities that may befall the province. Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos attended the drill conducted by the Provincial Resiliency Task Force (PRTF). The civic center used for the drill has been re-equipped with comfort rooms, makeshift living quarters and kitchen utilities.  Aiming for “zero casualty” duri