Ilocos News Bureau

05/09/2026

San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur institutionalizes fight against illicit trade through new ordinance

The Municipality of San Ildefonso in Ilocos Sur has enacted Municipal Ordinance No. 06-2026, strengthening and institutionalizing the local government’s campaign against illicit to***co and v***r products. Approved on September 2, 2026, the ordinance builds on an earlier executive order issued by Mayor Amante “Tito” Purisima and establishes a more permanent framework for local enforcement against the sale, distribution, transport, storage, and possession of non-compliant or counterfeit to***co and v***r products....

The Municipality of San Ildefonso in Ilocos Sur has enacted Municipal Ordinance No. 06-2026, strengthening and institutionalizing the local government’s campaign against illicit to***co and v***r p…

03/09/2026

12/08/2026

LAOAG CITY POLICE PROBE ALLEGED ILLEGAL DISCHARGE OF FIREARM INSIDE BAR

LAOAG CITY, ILOCOS NORTE — The Laoag City Police Station is conducting an investigation into an alleged illegal discharge of a firearm that occurred inside a bar in Laoag City at approximately 1:22 AM on August 8, 2026.

According to initial reports, a commotion occurred inside the establishment at around 1:20 AM, after which an individual allegedly drew a firearm and fired a shot in an upward direction.

A video of the incident was presented during the 58th Regular Session of the 13th Sangguniang Panlungsod, prompting officials to call for a thorough probe.

The Laoag City Police Station has already extracted and secured CCTV footage from the establishment. Investigators are currently reviewing the footage along with other available evidence surrounding the incident.

The Laoag City Police Station assured the public that the incident is being thoroughly investigated and that appropriate legal action will be taken against any person found to have violated the law, in accordance with due process.

Further updates will be released once the investigation is completed. |

12/08/2026

NORTH LUZON GROWTH QUADRANGLE MEETING HELD, FOCUSES ON REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

QUEZON CITY — Key leaders and agencies convened at the Congress of the Philippines, Batasan Pambansa for the North Luzon Growth Quadrangle Meeting headed by its Chair, Congressman Angelo Marcos Barba, to discuss priority programs and development projects for Northern Luzon.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), together with Office of the Presidential Assistant for Northern Luzon (OPANL) Assistant Secretary Anna Carmela V. Remigio.

Congressman Barba emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among national agencies and local government units to accelerate infrastructure, tourism, health, and livelihood projects in the region.

During the meeting, PAGCOR and PCSO presented possible funding support and social programs that can be rolled out in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan. OPANL, led by Assistant Anna Remigio, committed to help fast-track coordination with national government agencies and the Office of the President to ensure priority projects are implemented on the ground.

The North Luzon Growth Quadrangle aims to position the region as a competitive economic corridor in the Northern Philippines. |

📸: Angelo Marcos Barba FB page

08/08/2026

LALAKI HULI SA CCTV NA DUMAMPOT NG CELLPHONE SA PALENGKE SA LAOAG CITY

LAOAG CITY, ILOCOS NORTE — Huli sa CCTV ang isang lalaki matapos dumampot ng cellphone mula sa loob ng bag ng isang mamimili sa isang pamilihan dito sa lungsod.

Ayon sa kuha ng video, makikita ang suspect na lumapit sa biktima habang abala sa pamimili. Mabilis nitong dinukot ang cellphone mula sa bukas na bag at agad na umalis sa lugar.

Sa ngayon, hindi pa natutukoy ang pagkakakilanlan ng suspect. Ngunit malinaw sa kuha ng CCTV ang mukha nito, na ngayon ay ginagamit na ng mga otoridad para sa masusing imbestigasyon at pagtutugis.

Nanawagan ang Laoag City PNP sa publiko na maging alerto at doblehin ang pag-iingat sa mga gamit, lalo na sa matataong lugar tulad ng palengke.

Hinihikayat din ng pulisya ang sinumang may impormasyon tungkol sa pagkakakilanlan ng lalaki sa video na makipag-ugnayan agad sa pinakamalapit na himpilan ng pulisya.

Patuloy ang imbestigasyon ng mga awtoridad.

07/08/2026

PBBM VISITS GRBASMH IN LAOAG CITY, INSPECTS IMPLEMENTATION OF PHILHEALTH NO BALANCE BILLING PROGRAM

LAOAG CITY, ILOCOS NORTE — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. personally visited the Gov. Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital (GRBASMH) here on August 7, 2026 to inspect the implementation of key government healthcare programs in the province.

The President toured hospital facilities and met with doctors, nurses, and patients to assess the delivery of medical services in Northern Luzon.

A key focus of the inspection was the PhilHealth No Balance Billing Program. Under the program, qualified indigent patients admitted in basic or ward accommodations in government hospitals are entitled to receive medical services without any out-of-pocket expenses.

He also checked the hospital’s equipment, bed capacity, and staffing levels, and assured local health workers of continued national government support.

GRBASMH is one of the primary referral hospitals in Ilocos Norte serving thousands of patients from the province and nearby areas.

Joining the President were Hospital Chief Arlene Ragasa, Majority Floor Leader Sandro Marcos, Congressman Angelo Marcos Barba, and Governor Cecilia Araneta Marcos.

The Marcos administration continues to prioritize universal healthcare and the expansion of programs that reduce the financial burden on Filipino families.

07/08/2026

BATAC CITY GOV'T RECEIVES ₱150 MILLION FROM PBBM FOR NEW PUBLIC MARKET AFTER FIRE

BATAC CITY, ILOCOS NORTE — The Batac City Government has received ₱150 million pesos in financial assistance from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to fund the construction of a new public market after the old Batac Public Market was destroyed by fire.

President Marcos personally turned over the aid during his visit to the city to assess the damage and meet with affected vendors and local officials.

According to Malacañang, the fund will be used for:
Construction of a new, modern Batac Public Market, Immediate assistance and livelihood support for displaced vendors, and Establishment of a temporary market while the new facility is being built

In his message, PBBM assured Batacqueños that the national government will not abandon them and that the new market will be safer, more organized, and disaster-resilient.

City officials expressed gratitude to the President, saying the ₱150M allocation will help the local economy recover faster and provide vendors with a better place to do business.

Rehabilitation plans and bidding for the new market are expected to begin immediately. |

31/07/2026

Congressman Angelo Marcos Barba joined key officials and DOST stakeholders for the official launching of the Bamboo Textile Fiber Innovation Hub at Mabaleng, City of Batac

The new hub is set to boost the province’s bamboo industry by advancing research, product development, and sustainable textile production using bamboo fiber. It aims to provide Ilokano weavers, MSMEs, and cooperatives with access to modern technology while promoting eco-friendly and climate-resilient materials. The facility is expected to serve as a center for skills training, prototype development, and market linkage for bamboo-based textiles, supporting both traditional weaving communities and their outputs, which will be sold at the newly installed regional yarn processor in Vintar, Ilocos Norte....

31/07/2026

DINGRAS RECEIVES ₱2M BUFFALO HERD TO BOOST FARM LIVELIHOOD IN ILOCOS NORTE

31/07/2026

Congressman Angelo Marcos Barba joined local officials and DOST stakeholders for the inauguration of a new Hybrid Solar Power System at the Laoag City Pyrolysis Facility.