The Ilocos Times

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Laoag City —The Ilocos Norte provincial government, jointly with the Department of Trade and Industry, will be conducting an investigation with regards to the sudden price hike of chicken and egg observed in the past few weeks. Since last month, retail prices of chicken in Laoag and Batac Cities’ wet markets and supermarkets had gone up by at least P15 to P40. The reason given for the price spike was due to tight supply of the products. At the Laoag City Commercial Center for example, whole chicken now sells at P125 per piece—some are even selling it at P135—from the usual P110, while chicken cuts are priced at P150 per kilo from P140 before. “Many things had gone very high including basic commodities such as meat, asukal , sabon , cooking oil and even rice where we produce so much. So we are monitoring closely the Laoag and Batac markets where it was earlier reported,” Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos said.

Daniw ni Leonardo Rosqueta Agunoy dumalagudog nga agpababa ti kumanabsuor nga apres ti danum nga umaw-awer iti lansad-bakras ti karayan a marangrangkay umaw-awer ti nagpanes a danum a dimges kadagiti baresbes lumawlawa dagiti lipnong a ginusaban ti agus nga agpegges iti insiwet kumanabsuor iti barukong dagiti maal-aliaw nga umili kasla nabugiawda a kuton-bunton ti ariangga, aripapa, aligagaw timekdan ti agpaparaw litania dagiti bibigda: “DIOSKO, KAASIANNAKAMI…”

By Rachel Oloroso Acosta PCCI information officer The serious concern about power supply shortfall in Luzon in 2015-2016, a similar potential shortfall in the Visayas and the ongoing shortage in Mindanao is definitely a deafening sound for action, a deliberate one that does not need to raise the panic button among the public, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said in a statement today. “This challenge we face now does not come as a surprise”, the PCCI said.   The largest business organization in the country explained that over the last four to five years, the power supply and demand situation has been extensively presented and discussed in several consumers, business and government fora both, separately and jointly. With the supply shortfall escalating into brownouts in Luzon and finally putting everyone on the same page, PCCI is calling for all stakeholders to act in unison in addressing the issue on hand. From the combined economic, indus

Emerges as leader in innovative solutions The Philippines has emerged as a global leader in pioneering innovative solutions to addressing some of the world’s greatest development challenges. The U.S. Embassy Manila’s U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and two United States-based organizations—the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), recently announced new research projects that advance the scientific and technical capacity of both the United States and partner countries in critical areas of development. A total of US$8.5 million (P370 million) was awarded to 46 projects in 23 countries, with the Philippines taking home a staggering seven grants to fund work that combats tuberculosis, preserves biodiversity and boosts environmental resilience. The grants are funded through a grant-making facility, the Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) program, a joint initiative designed to foster collaborative g

Food is twice as expensive today as it was 10 years ago. The United Nations Food Price Index indicates that grain in 2014 was twice as expensive as in 2002 – 04, according to the Earth Policy Institute. Reviewing trends in grain production, the Washington think tank observes that with grain providing much of the calories that sustain humanity, the status of the world grain harvest is a good indicator of the adequacy of the food supply. The picture that it paints gives pause for thought. Already since 2007, the world has experienced three major grain price spikes, it says. One reason is that global grain consumption has exceeded production in eight of the last 14 years, leading to a drawdown in reserves. This was due primarily to population growth. In recent years, however, the annual growth in grain use has doubled largely because of the increasing use for fuel ethanol and livestock and poultry feed. In 2013, the United States harvested more than 400 million t

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —The city government here is conducting preliminary hearings for the proposed annual budget next year. Laoag Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas said they have estimated the proposed budget—as culled from preliminary budget submitted by various offices—to be P600 million. Ms. Fariñas however stressed that the figure is not yet final as they would still need to rationalize the office budget submitted. The local finance committee is conducting the preliminary budget hearings. Ms. Fariñas also disclosed that prior to the start of the preliminary budget hearings, she wrote a letter to all department heads to submit budgets that are “doable, feasible and realistic.” The final budget hearing for this year may also be held within the city. Past final budget hearings were held outside Laoag City to avoid distractions. Ms. Fariñas reasoned that the fast approaching deadline for the submission of the proposed annual budget as