Man drowns trying to save son in Ilocos Sur

By Freddie Lazaro

 

SANTO DOMINGO, Ilocos Sur -- A bus conductor drowned while trying to rescue his son in the sea of Barangay Sived here on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 8.

    Police Lt. William Costales Jr., town deputy chief of police, identified the victim as Jayson Pabo, 46, of Barangay An-annam, Bantay, Ilocos Sur.

    The victim and his family were having a picnic when his son drowned while swimming.

Pabo dived to rescue his son but was taken by the strong waves.

    The victim’s nephew also dived to rescue them but only managed to rescue the boy due to strong waves.

    Barangay tanods recovered the victim and was taken to a hospital where he was declared dead.

Costales reminded people not to swim in rough seas to avoid untoward incidents.

Read more...

Ilocos region’s November inflation drops to 2.9%

By Hilda Austria

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The Ilocos region posted a slight drop in the rate of price increases in November.
    In a statement issued Thursday, Philippine Statistics Authority chief administrative officer Camille Carla Beltran said the region’s month-on-month inflation rate eased to 2.9 percent last month from 3.7 percent in October, primarily influenced by the considerable decrease in the indices of food and non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, tobacco, clothing and footwear, furnishings, household equipment, and routine household.
    She, however, observed an increase in the prices of housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels while the rest of the commodity groups retained their previous month's inflation rates or had zero percent annual growth.
    Beltran said Ilocos’ food index decreased to 7.5 percent in November from 9.3 percent in the previous month.
    The inflation trend in November of fish and other seafood was at 11.7 percent; oils and fats at -0.2 percent; vegetables, tubers, cooking bananas, and pulses at -0.3 percent; and sugar, confectionery, and desserts at -2.9 percent while fruits and nuts retained their inflation rate at 14.6 percent.
    Pangasinan posted the highest inflation rate with 3.9 percent, followed by La Union with 3.7 percent.
    Meanwhile, Ilocos Norte recorded 0.7 percent inflation and Ilocos Sur, -0.3 percent annual growth.
    Year on year, all provinces recorded lower inflation rates, she added. -- PNA

Read more...

Ilocos Sur palay farmers get more cash incentives

IN-FIELD PROCUREMENT. An employee of the National Food Authority (NFA) checks on the quality of rice sold to the agency in this undated photo. To increase farmers' income, some local government units in northern Luzon inked an agreement with NFA for the provision of additional cash incentives when farmer sell their produce to the government food agency. (Photo courtesy of the NFA)

By Leilanie Adriano 

LAOAG CITY – Rice farmers from Candon City, Ilocos Sur will receive an additional P2 a kilo when they sell to the National Food Authority.
    NFA-Ilocos Region branch manager engineer Jonathan Corpuz said the cash incentive is on top of the P1 that the provincial government will add to the P23 per kilo buying price of NFA.
    “This is a big help to our rice farmers as the NFA has partnered with local government units for the provision of additional cash incentives under the palay procurement program,” he said.
    Under the agreement, registered farmers and organizations will automatically receive the payment for NFA’s buying price and the P1 a kilo incentive from the provincial government.
    However, the additional cash incentive from the Candon City government will be released by the end of this cropping season, thus the farmers are advised to keep their proof of transaction with NFA.
    Aside from Candon City, the local government of Santa also announced a P3 additional cash incentive to its farmers who will sell their palay to the government food agency.
    NFA earlier announced its aggressive in-field and in-warehouse procurement in various parts of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Abra this harvest season.
    “We are happy that the government has listened to our plea to increase the buying price of palay this harvest season. The price adjustment gives us a better choice of where to sell our produce,” said Rogelio Bagoyo, a rice farmer from Ilocos Sur.
    For this harvest season, NFA started buying palay in the first week of October.
    It aims to purchase over 65,000 sacks of palay as buffer stock for next year. -- PNA
 
 
 

 
 
 

 

 

 

Read more...

Barangay tanod drowns in Ilocos

By Freddie Lazaro

SANTA CATALINA, Ilocos Sur – A barangay tanod or watchman drowned while swimming in a beach in Barangay Tamurong here on Sunday, October 1.

Police identified the victim as Rafael Reyes Albano, 53.

Investigation said the victim, a tanod of Zone 3, Bantay, Ilocos Sur, was recovered by rescuers but he died on the way to the Rural Health Unit in this town.

 

Read more...

2 die in Ilocos road crashes

By Jun Elias

VIGAN, Ilocos Sur — A man and a woman died in separate vehicular accidents involving motorcycles in Ilocos Sur on night of Sept. 24.
Ellaine Mae Pastor, 28, died instantly after her motorcycle crashed into the concrete fence of a covered court in Barangay Bayubay Sur, San Vicente town.
    Pastor, who was reportedly drunk, lost control of the wheel as she was traveling along the highway, according to Capt. Pedro Halover, chief of the San Vicente police.
    Meanwhile, Leumark Abumiawan, 30, died after his motorcycle slammed into a power post in Barangay Dan-ar, Santiago town.
    Abumiawan was declared dead on arrival at the Candon General Hospital in Candon City. Witnesses said Abumiawan was speeding.
    The victim was reportedly drunk, according to Maj. Henry Garcia, chief of the Santiago police.
    Probers said that both Pastor and Abumiawan were not wearing helmets.

Read more...

Ilocos Leptospirosis cases up 106 percent; 33 deaths

By Hilda Austria 

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – The Dept. of Health Center for Health Development in the Ilocos Region (DOH-CHD-1) has recorded 221 leptospirosis cases in the region from Jan. 1 to Sept. 16 this year, 106 percent higher than the 107 cases on the same period last year.
    In a virtual press conference hosted by the Philippine Information Agency Ilocos on Wednesday, DOH-CHD-1 medical officer Dr. Rheuel Bobis said of the total number of cases, 89 were from Pangasinan, 75 from Ilocos Sur, 19 from Ilocos Norte, and 38 from La Union.
    There were 33 deaths recorded in the region due to leptospirosis or 14.9 percent of the total cases. Of this number, 17 were from Pangasinan, eight from La Union, seven from Ilocos Sur, and one from Ilocos Norte.
    The number of deaths was also higher than the 18 recorded during the same period last year, Bobis said.
    He said the increase in cases can be attributed to the typhoons and weather disturbances that have brought rain and floods in the region, exposing the residents to contaminated waters.
    “Nagkaroon ng mas maraming bagyo at mas maraming pagbaha at kapag may pagbaha ay increased ang exposure sa pagbaha o contaminated environment kaya tumataas risk na magkaroon ng leptospirosis (There were several typhoons and floods and when there is flooding there is also an increased exposure to floodwaters or contaminated environment so the risk of getting leptospirosis has also increased),” he said.
    Eased restriction among the young people and the elderly is also a contributing factor, he added.
    The most commonly affected age group is between 15 to 19 years old and most of the victims are males who made up 90.5 percent of the total cases.
    Despite the spike in the number, Bobis said it has not yet reached the alert and epidemic threshold.
Bobis said the DOH has issued a memorandum on the guidelines on the prevention, control, management, and surveillance of leptospirosis.
    The DOH, through the memorandum, advised the public to practice preventive measures such as practicing good personal hygiene, cleaning wounds on legs and feet, avoiding wading in dirty floodwater or potentially contaminated bodies of freshwater, wearing boots or protective footwear, washing with soap and water of legs or feet after wading in flood water, and maintaining a clean home and environment.
    Regular declogging and cleaning of drainage systems or canals and proper solid waste management by avoiding the accumulation of rubbish are also encouraged.
    The DOH and the local government units are also distributing medications to prevent these diseases.
    "Pero kung hindi maiwasan, maari magsuot bota para di mag come in contact sa bacteria na nagdudulot leptospirosis (But if it is not possible to do so, then wear protective boots so that one would not came in contact with the bacteria causing leptospirosis),” Bobis said. -- PNA

Read more...

2 fishmen missing in Ilocos Sur waters

_{By Freddie Lazaro}

_{CAMP PRESIDENT QUIRINO, Ilocos Sur – Two fishermen from Barangay Apatot, San Esteban, this province, were reported missing on Tuesday, Sept. 5, after they failed to return home from a fishing trip to the West Philippines Sea (WPS) on Sunday, Sept. 3.
    Police identified the missing fishermen as Ronie Baldeviso, 41 and Mark Anthony Egar, 27.
    The two fishermen left at about 1 a.m. on board an orange and avocado green motor banca with body No. ILS-10-78 and markings Coline Kaezy/Ron Justine.
    Police said they were expected to return home on the same day from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. but failed to return as of Tuesday.
    Baldeviso was described as 5'7", fair complexion, wearing a long-sleeved gray shirt, while Egar is 5'5" with fair complexion, wearing a black shirt and a blue jacket.
    Police said other fishermen were searching for them in coordination with the Maritime Group, Philippine Coast Guard, and San Esteban municipal rescue personnel.
    Meanwhile, a fisherman, Pepito Carera, 37, a resident of Barangay Ilocanos Sur, San Fernando, La Union, was rescued by fishermen in Barangay Nangalisan, Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur on Monday, Sept. 4. 
    Carera reportedly went fishing but failed to return home when the engine of his motor banca had mechanical trouble.}

 

 

 

Read more...

Graft cases filed vs 2 ex-Ilocos Sur mayors over P81-M ‘misuse’

NARVACAN, Ilocos  Sur --  The Sandiganbayan has allowed the prosecution panel of the Office of the Ombudsman to drop the charges filed against the president of a farmers’ organization of this town and make him a state witness in the graft and malversation cases filed against former Narvacan mayors Zuriel Zaragoza and his father Edgardo.
    In a 27-page resolution promulgated on Aug. 18, the anti-graft court’s second division granted the motion of the prosecution to discharge private respondent Constante Cabitac, president of the Federation of Farmers of Narvacan.

    The court said the prosecution was able to prove that Cabitac’s testimony would be vital in proving its case against the public officials, noting that he had first-hand knowledge of the commission of the crime.
    The court said Cabitac’s testimony “would supply the necessary evidence” to link the Zaragozas and their co-accused municipal accountant Melody Cadacio and education research assistant Mario Cabinte.
    “There is no other direct evidence available for the proper prosecution of the offenses committed, other than the testimony of accused Cabitac,” the second division said.
    The cases stemmed from the alleged misuse of P81 million in municipal government’s shares in tobacco excise tax for locally manufactured Virginia-type cigarettes.
    The ombudsman said the amount, which was intended for members of the Federation of Farmers of Narvacan, was instead “misappropriated or misused” by the accused public officials for their personal benefit. – Elizabeth Marcelo

Read more...

Over 55K Ilocos households validated 4Ps beneficiaries

ORIENTATION -- Personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Ilocos regional office hold a meeting with potential new beneficiaries under Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program last week. Some 55,170 indigent households in the region were validated as potential beneficiaries of the program. (Photo courtesy of DSWD Ilocos regional office)

By Hilda Austria

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan –The Dept. of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) validated around 55,170 indigent households as potential beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the Ilocos Region.
The July 21, 2023 validation status report of the DSWD Ilocos regional office showed, of the total number, 47,142 were in Pangasinan, 3,236 in Ilocos Norte, 4,031 in Ilocos Sur, and 761 in La Union.
    The current data was already 97.23 percent of the 56,750 target number of potential beneficiaries of the region.
DSWD central office provided the target number to fill in the slots of the households who graduated and delisted from the program.
    In a phone interview on Thursday, DSWD Ilocos regional office 4Ps information officer Jaesem Ryan Gaces said the number was a target given by the 4Ps National Program Management Office (NPMO) to meet the 4.4 million national target.
    “These are from the Listahanan 3 Database as a new set of potential 4Ps beneficiaries. These poor households with children below 18 years old or with a pregnant member at the time of assessment were identified based on the DSWD’s standardized targeting system (STS) as stipulated in the Republic Act No. 11310 or 4Ps Act,” he said.
    Their names will be posted in public places in their locality after the validation process.
Enrolment will commence for the potential beneficiaries after the completion of the posting process and they will also undergo orientation about the program, including their responsibility, and sign an oath of commitment.
    The validated indigent households were from the "Listahanan 3" database, which has recorded 184,716 poor households out of the 974,861 assessed households in the Ilocos Region as of 2022.
In a separate interview, DSWD Ilocos Listahanan information officer Jaymante Pearl Apilado said Pangasinan has the highest magnitude of poor with 155,529 households; followed by Ilocos Sur with 14,361 households; Ilocos Norte with 10,208; and La Union with 4,618.
    Among the four provinces in the region, Pangasinan has the highest land area and population among the provinces in the Ilocos Region.
    The poor basic sectors covered by Listahanan are children, youth, women, older persons, farmers, fisherfolk, persons with disabilities, migrant workers, urban poor, rural poor, formal sector workers, and self-employed and unpaid family members.
DSWD said Listahanan 3 database could serve as a basis for identifying potential beneficiaries for social protection programs and services, as a mechanism for validating data on poverty produced by other sources, and as data sources and references for research and studies. -- PNA
 

Read more...

DTI starts Ilocos Sur OTOP Hub for folks, entreps

VIGAN, Ilocos Sur – Dept. of Trade and Industry (DTI) Sec.y Fred Pascual led the launching of the One Ilocos Sur One Town-One Product (OTOP) Hub Aug. 13 at the sidelines of his trip in Ilocos to attend the Post-SONA Philippine Economic Briefing (PEB).
     "As the backbone of our economy, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) play a vital role in shaping the Philippine economic landscape,” Pascual said in his speech. “They address poverty by generating employment opportunities. They serve as breeding grounds for budding entrepreneurs. These small enterprises spark development in rural areas."
    A thriving MSME sector, the DTI Secretary said, reflects a dynamic and progressive economy. The DTI works collaboratively with the private sector to assist MSMEs in product development, access to finance, market access, and quality control, among others.
    The One Ilocos Sur OTOP Hub is a new market platform for Ilocano OTOPreneurs.
It showcases products from two cities and 32 municipalities. It shows Ilocano creativity and resilience, especially amid the recent onslaught of typhoon Egay. The hub is a project of the DTI Ilocos Sur Provincial Office through the OTOP Next Gen Program, in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur.
    "As the product landscape continues to evolve, bolstering market access becomes increasingly imperative. And the OTOP Philippines Hub has emerged as an adaptive and versatile platform that effectively addresses this critical need. Thus, the traditional pasalubong centers transform into vibrant spaces that go beyond mere product display," Pascual said.
    During the launching, Secretary Pascual also signed a memorandum of agreement with Gov. Jeremias V. Singson to establish the One Ilocos Sur OTOP Hub within the Provincial Farmers Livelihood Development Center located in Vigan, free of charge.
    Pascual assured Ilocano MSMEs the DTI will continue to provide both capacity building and financial assistance through its financing arm—Small Business Corporation (SBCorp), especially to victims of typhoon Egay and other disasters.
The main cooperator for the One Ilocos Sur OTOP Hub is the Ilocos Sur Export Enterprises Distribution Marketing Cooperative (ISEED).

It also features 46 exhibitors or MSMEs from Ilocos Sur that the OTOP Hub is assisting. 

 

Read more...

Hedcor, Luzon Hydro help ‘Egay’-hit towns

RELIEF ASSISTANCE -- Hedcor Group’s External Relations manager for Luzon Geraldine Ronquillo (center) heads distribution of rice to Ilocos Sur. Here, Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Officer Rhon Arquelada (right) accepts relief goods, 

By Estefany Tawagon

Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) subsidiaries Hedcor and Luzon Hydro Corporation (Luzon Hydro), together with Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (Aboitiz Foundation), brought timely relief to its host communities hit by Typhoon Egay. 
    In Ilocos Sur, Luzon Hydro distributed 150 sacks of 50-kilos rice, benefitting 750 families.
Hedcor Inc. also gave over 1,700 liters of fuel to the municipalities of  La Trinidad, Tuba, Sablan, Itogon, and Bakun in Benguet, while Hedcor Sabangan aided municipalities of Bauko and Sabangan with 780 liters of fuel.
    These were intended for heavy equipment vehicles and chainsaws that will help clear debris on affected roads — hence ensuring faster mobilization of relief goods — and for generators on sitios without electricity. 
    “Hedcor is positive that, as one, we can rebuild our communities. Our bayanihan spirit furthers our cause to help each other during this period of recovery,” said Hedcor president and COO Rolando Pacquiao.
    “We join hands with the local government to provide essential aid and relief. We stand in solidarity with our kababayans.”

Hedcor earlier helped strengthen the disaster preparedness and risk management capabilities of said provinces by providing opportunities for training and donating needed equipment for first aid.

Through this, community-based disaster risk reduction and management offices were established in their respective localities, upscaling resiliency and prompt response of the authorities in times of emergencies.  

“Hedcor is driven by its strong sense of responsibility. By collaborating closely with the different host communities, we are better equipped to support each other,” Pacquiao added.

Earlier this month, Hedcor and fellow AboitizPower subsidiary Therma South, Inc. also mobilized relief efforts to over 560 families in Sta, Cruz, Davao del Sur.

This was after the municipality was hit by flash floods due to isolated rain showers and thunderstorms. 

Hedcor continues to collaborate with local government agencies for the needed support in the recovery and rehabilitation of North Luzon after being hit by Typhoon Egay. 

Hedcor is the renewable energy subsidiary of AboitizPower.

It specializes in generating 278 MW of sustainable energy from its 22 run-of-river hydropower systems, and 58MWAc from its one solar farm.

With 45 years of experience, Hedcor operates 23 Cleanergy facilities located in Ilocos Sur, Mt. Province, Benguet, Davao, Bukidnon and Negros Occidental. 

Read more...

4 deaths, 2,000 displaced in Ilocos Sur due to typhoon

Philippine Coast Guard personnel in Ilocos Sur retrieve the body of a 79-year-old woman in San Vicente town. The woman was one of the reported four casualties of Typhoon Egay in the province. (Photo courtesy of Coast Guard District North Western Luzon)

By John Michael Mugas 

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte – Four fatalities were reported in Ilocos Sur after Typhoon Egay (International name: Doksuri) whipped the Northern Luzon.
    A deaf-mute man died after he sustained a serious head injury while trapped inside his residence in the municipality of Caoayan, Gov. Jeremias “Jerry” Singson said on Thursday.
    On Tuesday night, a 31-year-old man from Narvacan town was electrocuted when he touched a grounded wire while moving his pet dog to a safer spot.
    A 79-year-old woman’s body was also retrieved in San Vicente town on Thursday after she went missing during Egay’s onslaught.
    Rescuers also found the body of an 84-year-old man in Langaoan village in Sta. Maria town, the provincial government said.
    Typhoon Egay displaced more than 2,000 families in Ilocos region so far, according to the regional Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) on Wednesday, July 26.
    At least 208 families, or around 622 individuals, had been in evacuation centers across the region, the OCD said.
OCD is verifying a casualty in Ilocos Sur province to determine if it is disaster-related.
    The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council continued to be on red alert as all provinces in the region have tropical cyclone wind signals hoisted.
    In Ilocos Norte, signal number 4 is up over the northern portion (Burgos, Bangui, Dumalneg, Pagudpud, Adams, Pasuquin, Vintar, and Bacarra). The rest of the province is under Signal No. 3.
    The Tamdagan bridge in Vintar town in Ilocos Norte was closed to motorists on Wednesday morning as a safety measure when a temporary backfill collapsed due to the raging floodwater caused by Egay.
    At least 97 families, or 362 individuals, have been evacuated in Lanao, Bangui; Lacuben, Badoc; Pasaleng, Pagudpud; Bugasi and Macayepyep, Banna, according to the Ilocos Norte provincial government.
    The Ilocos Norte electric cooperative also said the province had been under “emergency [power] shutdowns” as Egay’s strong winds had downed power lines.
    Signal No. 3 is also up in the northern portion of Ilocos Sur (Magsingal, San Juan, Cabugao, Sinait, San Vicente, Santo Domingo, San Ildefonso, Bantay, Santa Catalina, City of Vigan, Caoayan, Santa, Nagbukel, and Narvacan). The rest of the province is under Signal No. 2, according to the state weather bureau.
    The regional Department of Social Welfare and Development said at least 83,296 family food packs and 29,390 non-food items were prepared in its 20 field offices and satellite warehouses.
    Work in government offices and classes in public schools at all levels in Ilocos region were suspended on Wednesday due to Egay, according to OCD.

Read more...

Suspect in seaman's murder nabbed

By Franco Jose C. Baroña

STA. CRUZ, Ilocos Sur – The family of the slain seaman-businessman in Ilocos Sur is seeking protection from the local police and the National Bureau of Investigation after receiving threats to their lives, even as police arrested the suspect.
    The victim was identified as 43-year-old Patrick Santos Abdon, a resident of Sevilla village in Sta. Cruz.
     He was shot to death on the night of June 18.
    The suspect, 38-year-old Glorioso Jeff Suyat Cauton, married and a resident of Poblacion Sur also of Sta. Cruz, later surrendered to authorities after the crime was committed.
    The victim's white Chevrolet Trailblazer with license plate NCQ 5406 and five bullet casings were recovered at the crime scene.
    The family of Abdon also expressed their intention to ask local police to protect a lone witness to the killing even as the gun used in the shooting still has not surfaced.
    Based on the statement of the witness identified only as "Ariel," he accompanied Abdon to the house of Cauton on the night of the shooting.
    He said the victim told him that he will just invite Cauton to celebrate Father's Day.
    Ariel said when they arrived at the suspect's house, the victim told him to wait inside the vehicle.
    The witness said he heard the voice of the victim calling out for someone inside the house before he heard a series of gunshots.
    Ariel added that he later saw the victim rolling on the grass in front of the house to avoid the gunshots.
    The witness said he panicked by what he just witnessed, and moved to the driver's seat from the passenger seat.
When he failed to start the car, the witness said he was forced to run to get help.
    Although Cauton surrendered to the police, the suspect did not provide any explanation as to why he shot the victim several times.
    The victim's wife, Dr. Ma. Norvilyn Ragasa Abdon, said they still could not fully understand why Cauton shot her husband.
    "Patrick treated Jeff like a brother. We do not know why he did this," said Dr. Abdon.
 

Read more...

Vigan bag maker grows business from P4-K fund

 By Hilda Austria 

VIGAN CITY – Using a P4,000 capital and basic knowledge in sewing, along with an immense desire to learn and hard work, a widow from this city has raised her children with her souvenir-making business
    When Lucila Datuin, 63, lost her husband in 2007, she quit from her job as a restaurant manager in Metro Manila and returned to her hometown.
    She learned how to make bags using the abel Iloco, an Ilocano textile made of cotton, and a second-hand sewing machine with the intent to sell them to souvenir shops.
    “Unang gawa, sabi nila, ano ba ‘yang gawa mo basura (On my first try, they said it was garbage),” she said admitting that she only had basic sewing skills.
    The harsh comments motivated her to improve her craft.
    “At first, I was the only one doing all the work but when orders kept coming, I hired and trained people,” she said in a phone interview on Monday.
    Datuin said her business boomed when Vigan City was hailed as one of the New 7 Wonder Cities of the World in 2014.
    From producing bags as souvenirs, she is also selling printed t-shirts, pouches, and tote bags among others.
    Her shop now has 20 employees, including seven seamstresses working from the comforts of their homes.
    They produce about 80 regular bags and 100 tote bags daily.
    Work stopped during the pandemic and they resorted to selling dressed chickens and bed sheets to get by.
    “I have my savings but I cannot spend it all, especially since those were times of uncertainty as to when the pandemic will end,” she said.
    She also has to deal with competitions and copying, especially from former employees who resigned to set up their own business.
    Nonetheless, Datuin always comes up with fresh ideas and offers new products to her customers. 
    “Pinapakita ko naman quality at nag-iba ako ng tela ngayon (I always make sure of the quality of our work and I also try to use other materials),” she said.
    Datuin said she was thankful for the help on her way to stabilizing her business, among them the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development Mutually Reinforcing Institutions Incorporated (CARD-MRI Inc.), a microfinance company that lent her capital for her business.
    Her borrowing capacity has grown from P4,000 to P300,000.
    “I thank God that I was able to send my children to school and buy properties and start other businesses and help other people in their livelihood as well,” she said. -- PNA

Read more...

Ilocos road crashes up with 3, 357 incidents

Vehicular accidents in Ilocos region are on the rise, the Philippine National Police said last week.
    Speaking at the “Kapihan sa DOH,” acting PNP deputy regional director for operations Col. Christopher Acop said a total of 1,521 vehicular traffic incidents occurred from Jan. 1 to May 9.
    “We had an average of 63 VTIs last year. For this year, from January to April alone, 69 VTIs have already been recorded. And last week, the figure increased to 83,” Acop said.
    He said that last year, a total of 3,257 vehicular accidents were recorded in the region.
    The PNP established more police posts and deployed police mobile patrols to curb the rising number of VTIs.
    “They will be patrolling our streets and roads 24/7. This is intended to deter vehicular mishaps as police visibility discourages people from violating traffic laws,” Acop said.
    Among the provinces in the region, Pangasinan recorded the highest number of VTIs with 984 followed by La Union with 303, Ilocos Sur with 159 and Ilocos Norte 75.
    Motorcycles topped the list of VTIs with 1,123 followed by four-wheel vehicles with 996, tricycles 366 and six-wheelers 75.
    Road accidents involving male drivers accounted for 332 VTIs compared to 167 involving female drivers.
    Most cases, or 1,894 road accidents involved drivers with licenses, while 516 were without licenses.
    Patricia Mendoza, transportation regulation officer of the Land Transportation Office, said the LTO regional office has instituted reforms in the processing of driver’s license.

 

Read more...

Second most wanted in drug list arrested

By Jerico Joshua Kahulugan

PASSUQUIN, Ilocos Sur -- A top personality in the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 1 drug list was arrested in a buy-bust here at Barangay Poblacion 1 on Monday, March 27.
    According to PDEA Regional Director Joel Plaza the suspect, identified as Jorge Failano, was categorized by PDEA as the second most wanted provincial target drug personality.
    The operatives seized from the suspect five pieces of heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu that weighed approximately one gram. It had a street value of P6,800.
    "The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002," will be filed against the suspect who is now detained at the Pasuquin Police Station.
    PDEA did the operation in coordination with the Police Regional Office 1–Regional Drug Enforcement Unit and the regional intelligence unit.
 

Read more...

Candon City in Ilocos Sur resumes Tobacco Festival

CANDON CITY – This city in Ilocos Sur, dubbed Virginia Tobacco Capital of the Philippines, held its first annual Tobacco Festival ever since suspending the fiesta due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
    The festival was held from March 18 to 28, with a variety of activities ranging from trade exhibits, sports events, and even the Miss Tobacco Philippines Pageant.
    For the pageant, a total of 15 participants from different tobacco-producing provinces joined, with Miss La Union Erika Klein Liguden clinching the top prize.
    There was also a competition for the longest-cured Virginia tobacco leaf among locals.
    Among the activities was a competition for the competition for the longest-cured Virginia tobacco leaf. (Photo from the Candon City Public Information Office)
    Other activities included a Banca Fluvial Competition, which saw unique designs of different boats from the citizens.
 
 

Read more...

DA: Cordillera, Ilocos agri- infra damage P44.2 million

By Daphne Galvez, Daxim L. Lucas 

BAGUIO CITY -- Damage on agricultural infrastructures in the Cordillera and Ilocos regions due to the strong earthquake that hit Northern Luzon last week has reached about P44.2 million, the Dept. of Agriculture said Tuesday.
    These included damage in communal irrigation systems and diversion dams, DA Usec. Kristine Evangelista said.
    “Umabot na nang P44.2 million ang agricultural damage, kasama ang damage sa farm-to-market roads, mayroon ding communal irrigation system na naapektuhan. Mayroon tayong report na natanggap na ‘yung isang diversion dam is also affected,” she said in a public briefing.
    (The damage reached P44.2 million, including those on farm-to-market roads, communal irrigation system, and a diversion road.)
    The DA is still validating the worth of damage sustained on agricultural crops.
    Evangelista said prices of agricultural products in Benguet, one of the areas hit by the earthquake, have returned to pre-disaster prices.
    She said even the inflow and outflow of agricultural commodities have returned to normal.
    “Sa ating trading posts pagdating sa Benguet, normal na ang presyo, bumalik na sa pre-lindol ang ating mga presyo pati ‘yung volume of commodities that is being traded in Benguet,” she said.
 

Read more...

Quake shuts down Vigan City Heritage District

VIGAN CITY – This Heritage District, home to many old houses popular with tourists, was closed until further notice.
    The city government announced the closure of the tourist spot, where Calle Crisologo and many souvenir shops were located, Wednesday, July 27, in its Facebook page, hours after a magnitude-7 earthquake rocked nearby Abra.
    It also announced the following streets are also closed indefinitely as a result of the earthquake.
    These streets were either in the Heritage District or lead to the area.
– A. Reyes corner Liberation Blvd.
– Liberation Blvd. corner Plaridel St.
– Crisologo St. corner Silang St.
– A. Reyes corner Abaya St.
– Quirino Blvd. corner Liberation Blvd.
– Mabini St. corner Quirino Blvd.
– Quirino Blvd. corner Salcedo St.
– Gen. Luna St. corner Quirino Blvd.
– Gen. Luna St. corner V. delos Reyes St.
– Encarnacion St. corner V. delos Reyes St.
– Plaridel St. corner Bonifacio St.
– Gen. Luna corner A. Reyes St.
    Many antique houses in the area were either damaged or destroyed by the temblor.
Power and Wi-Fi signal have been restored and a bus company servicing Vigan, said trips from Metro Manila are available.
    Free calls are being offered by telecommunications company Smart at the Northern Alliance Trading, 3rd Floor, UNP Town Center, Tamag, Vigan and Candon City PD Office at the corner of Gaerlan and Abaya Sts., San Isidro.
    Earlier in the day, Vigan City Mayor Jose “Bonito” Singson Jr. indefinitely suspended classes and work in the public and private sector.
    Singson advised residents and tourists to refrain from returning to their houses and establishments, especially those in ancestral houses and buildings due to aftershocks.
    Candon City also suspended work in government offices and classes on all levels in public and private schools because of the earthquake.
    City government departments involved in critical emergency services are fully operational.
    Residents were told to inspect their homes for damages and be on the alert for aftershocks.
 
 

Read more...

Rebels’ arms cache found in Ilocos Sur

By Leander C. Domingo

SANTIAGO, Ilocos Sur -- An arms cache of the New People’s Army was discovered here, according to the North Luzon Command (Nolcom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
    Lt. Col. Elmar Salvador, Nolcom Public Information Office chief, said the 71st Infantry Battalion (71IB) under the Joint Task Group (JTG) Defender discovered the arms cache here in Sitio Ramut, Zone 7, Barangay Salincub on July 3.
    Lt. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr., Nolcom commander, revealed the 71IB recovered an M16 rifle, eight magazines (5-long and 3-short), 140 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, and a bandolier from the said location.
    "A former leader of Guerilla Front Ampis which operates in the areas of Abra, Mountain Province and Ilocos Sur tipped the troops of the whereabouts of the said arms cache," Torres said.
    Brig. Gen. Krishnamurti Mortela, JTG Defender commander which covers the area of Ilocos Sur, said the recovered war materiel were brought to the headquarters of 71IB for proper disposition and documentation.
    Earlier, the 54IB conducted pursuit operations after a series of clashes with members of the CTG on May 23 to 24 which also resulted in the rescue of a ranking leader of the terror group who was left by his comrades after being wounded in an armed encounter on May 26 at Sitio Belbel, Barangay Namal, Asipulo town in Ifugao.
    The abandoned rebel was identified only as Junel, vice commanding officer of the Front Operational Command Guerilla Front.
    Mortela said the discovery of a cache of arms wasindicative of alias Junel's sincere desire for genuine peace and projection of his gratitude to the military who helped him when he was already on the verge of death from being betrayed by his comrades, as he aided the government forces locate the war material.
    Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Andrew Costelo, Joint Task Force Kaugnay commander, hailed the troops' series of accomplishments in their  operations including the recent discovery of arms caches on July 1 at Barangay Santa Juliana, Capas, Tarlac, and at Sitio Gued-Gued, Barangay Palis, Botolan in Zambales on June 26, and at Barangay Carmencita Floridablanca, Pampanga on June 12.
    "Our efforts to create lasting peace, prosperity and development in our communities will continue until we can fully decimate terrorist organizations in our area of operations," Costelo said.
    "The successive discovery of the rebels’ weapons caches further weakened the arms capability of these communist groups, preventing them from performing hostile attacks in northern and central Luzon," Torres said.
Torres said Nolcom has its doors open for the former comrades of Junel and all other remaining members of the CTG who wish to return to the fold of the law and start anew with their families.
 

Read more...