HERITAGE GEM. The famous Sinking Bell Tower of Laoag, Ilocos Norte, located at the heart of the city, sustained minor damage, with some bricks falling off, from the magnitude 7 earthquake that hit Abra and other parts of Luzon on Wednesday (July 27, 2022). A new retrofit is needed to preserve the national treasure, according to authorities. (Photo courtesy of Alaric Yanos) LAOAG CITY - Surviving Wednesday's magnitude 7 earthquake, the iconic Sinking Bell Tower here continues to stand the test of time as a national treasure since it was built by the Augustinians in 1612. The 45-meter tower, which provides a birds' eye view of downtown Laoag, however, continues to deteriorate and badly needs a new retrofit to save it from the next major quake. On Friday, Bishop Renato Mayugba and Laoag Mayor Michael Keon jointly conducted an ocular inspection of the site, finding severe cracks inside the bell tower. The tower was believed to have been built with bricks on a sandy foundation, caus
Warrior and role model: Lydia de Vega - BusinessWorld Online bworldonline.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bworldonline.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
BIOSECURITY MEASURE. A staff at the Laoag International Airport implements biosecurity measures to prevent the re-entry of the African swine fever in Laoag City in this undated photo. The city government has established quarantine checkpoints to strictly monitor the transport of hogs and pork products to the city. (File photo by Leilanie Adriano) LAOAG CITY - The city government has intensified its border control to prevent the re-entry of the African swine fever (ASF) here. ASF checkpoints were established in at least five villages around 5 p.m. on Wednesday to monitor all vehicles entering the city. These checkpoints are located in the border areas of Lagui-Sail Vintar Road, 51-A Nangalisan before the Gilbert Bridge, Barangay Barit, San Mateo, and Balatong where cargo vehicles from other towns and city pass through. "The ASF checkpoints are meant to keep the city free from ASF," said Mayor Michael Keon as he ordered the proper inspection of hogs and pork products being tran
SETTLING DISPUTES. Officials and members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa in Barangay 1 San Lorenzo receive the award as best lupon during the 57th Charter Day celebration of the city on June 19, 2022. The village has been cited for its outstanding performance in settling disputes at the barangay level. (PNA photo by Leilanie G. Adriano) LAOAG CITY - The city government has chosen Barangay 1 San Lorenzo as this year's best performing lupon (peace committee) with a rating of 99.3 percent for demonstrating exemplary performance in settling disputes at the grassroots or barangay level. Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc and City Mayor Michael Keon led the awarding ceremony on Sunday, in front of the city hall in time for the 57th Charter Day celebration of the city. The most outstanding lupon received a cash prize of PHP25,000 and a plaque of recognition. Keon lauded the efforts and commitment of the village officials, as well as members of the lupong tagapamayapa (peacemakers), f
WELCOME ARC. Workers of the Department of Public Works and Highways conduct road maintenance at the Gilbert bridge in Laoag City in this undated photo. Mayor Michael Keon said he will focus on road development and the massive lighting of the city. (File photo by Leilanie Adriano) LAOAG CITY - The city government here is eyeing to light up its village streets with solar-powered lamp posts and rehabilitate and expand its road network systems to make the area bike-friendly. In an interview Monday, re-elected Mayor Michael Keon bared the development plans of the city in the next three years. Last Sunday, the second-term mayor took his oath of office at the city auditorium at 8:40 a.m. with his nephew, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc as his administering officer. "One of the things that we will concentrate on with the Laoag City council is the rehabilitation and expansion of the road network as well as the lighting system. Laoag means "light", it must be lit up p