COMMUNITY HOSPITAL. Sarrat, Ilocos Norte Mayor Remigio Medrano, seen in this undated photo, reiterates the need to establish a community hospital in his town. Around PHP25 million has initially been allocated to jumpstart the project. (File photo by Leilanie Adriano) LAOAG CITY - The fourth-class municipality of Sarrat in Ilocos Norte, known as the birthplace of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., is eyeing having its own community hospital to cater to the medical needs of its residents. Third-termer mayor Remigio Medrano said Wednesday the funds they have so far collected include an initial funding of PHP23 million from the Sarrat local government unit, an additional PHP10 million from the Office of the President, and a PHP5-million counterpart from the Department of Health. "If we take a look around us, it is only Sarrat that does not have a community hospital as compared to our nearby towns of Piddig, Vintar, Dingras, and Marcos," said Medrano, adding that a communit
SEEDS OF HOPE. Farmer groups in Dingras, Ilocos Norte make millions with mung bean production. Through a market matching activity, at least three groups in the province can deliver 100 tons of mung bean this harvest season with a gross sales of PHP6.8 million or a 500-percent return on investment. (Photo courtesy of Rafis Ilocos Region) LAOAG CITY - On a bright sunny day, Francis Ventura counts the sacks of dried mung bean (monggo) he harvested from a 3.5-hectare farm in Barangay Barong, Dingras, Ilocos Norte. The harvests will turn into cold cash as Nutridense Food Manufacturing Company, based in Santa Barbara, Pangasinan, will pick them up for food processing. For three years in a row now, at least three farmers' groups, including Ventura's, agreed to adopt a mung bean farming technology that aims to lessen the cost of commercial fertilizer and improve the quality of production through integrated pest management. For the three farmers' groups (CSDCS, United Barong Kalawaa
REPOPULATION. Ilocos Norte prepares for its repopulation program after African swine fever-hit farms start recovering. Only three municipalities remain under the "red (infected) zone." (File photo courtesy of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte) LAOAG CITY - The Provincial Veterinary Office in Ilocos Norte announced Friday that some of the municipalities previously affected by the African swine fever (ASF) have been upgraded to "pink (buffer) zones." Of the 16 towns and cities in Ilocos Norte that were previously affected by the ASF, only three remain under the "red (infected) zones," said provincial veterinarian Loida Valenzuela. These are the towns of Banna, Piddig, and Bangui. "We just finished testing samples for our surveillance," said Valenzuela, as she noted the towns of Pinili and Dumalneg as among those that have been upgraded to pink zones. Previously, ASF had spread to 16 towns and cities in Ilocos Norte, namely, the cities of La
AID TO PUVs. Tricycle and jeepney drivers in Laoag City get cash and gas vouchers courtesy of the Ilocos Norte government. The program is part of the government's recovery assistance to those in crisis situations. (Contributed photo) LAOAG CITY - Drivers of public utility vehicles in Ilocos Norte continue to get three-in-one assistance from the provincial government to help them recover in these trying times. Launched in October last year, each beneficiary of the Ilocos Norte government's Pantawid Pasada program is entitled to get a fuel voucher worth PHP1,000, accident insurance, and PHP 3,000 cash assistance. Reylito Gonzales, president of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association in Currimao town with 236 active members, said Thursday they are thankful the government is reaching out to them to extend a helping hand. Gonzales' group is among the over 18,000 tricycle and jeepney drivers in the province that continue to provide public transport amid a global health cri
LAOAG CITY - The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) on Tuesday advised consumers and the general public to brace for a 12-hour scheduled power interruption on Thursday, affecting some parts of the province. In a public advisory, Jenny Afroilan, principal specialist of NGCP said the affected areas cover this city and the towns of Burgos, Piddig, Dingras, and Marcos from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. "The reason for the power interruption is due to the annual preventive maintenance and testing and corrective activities of equipment at the Laoag substation," said Afroilan. As frequently observed, many residents here tend to go out of their homes during a power outage to avoid heat and boredom. Some of them are spotted on the province's public beaches or in river resorts especially since the country's dry season has already started. So far, the highest recorded heat index this year has reached 53 degrees Celsius in Dagupan City, Pangasinan on March 17. (PNA) }