The Ilocos Times Daily

27/09/2025

27/09/2025

Pormalen a linukatan ni mayor James Bryan Alcid ti Asenso Negosyo Laoagen̈o pinang suporta kadagiti Small Medium Enterprise (SMEs) a taga Laoag mangrugi ita nga aldaw agpatingga intono agtapos iti daytoy a bulan a masarakan iti F.R. Castro nagbaetan iti Laoag City Hall ken Regional Trial Court.

Doms dela Cruz

27/09/2025

SEN. BAM AQUINO FILES BILL TO COMBAT RAMPANT CORRUPTION
By JUN ELIAS

Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV has filed a landmark bill that seeks to revolutionize government transparency by placing the entire national budget on a blockchain system, making every peso of public spending traceable and accessible to citizens in real time.

Sen. Aquino said his Senate Bill No. 1330, or the “National Budget Blockchain Act,” is a direct response to the public's mounting frustration over "ghost projects" and alleged irregularities in multi-billion-peso flood control projects.

"Ang mga pondong nawala sa mga ghost flood control projects sana nakapagtayo ng mga silid-aralan," Aquino said, highlighting the massive disparity between wasted funds and the country’s urgent needs.

The senator has repeatedly pointed to the irony of billions being funneled into ineffective flood control initiatives while the nation struggles with a severe classroom shortage, a crisis that has left more than 166,000 classrooms unbuilt and millions of students without proper learning facilities. He stressed that funds siphoned off through corruption could instead be used to address and prioritize these critical needs.

Aquino, who chairs the Education and Senate Committee on Science and Technology, is championing the bill as a crucial step toward modernizing governance.

"Yung digitalization kung gagawin nang tama, magreresulta ito sa mas mahusay na pamamahala na may badyet na mas kaunti ang mga racket, mas kaunti ang mga proyektong alanganin at talagang nakatuon sa mga bagay na direktang mapupunta sa tao. Aquino said, adding that "for the longest time, the digitization of our country has been stagnant.”

The proposed system, to be established by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Commission on Audit (COA), will create an immutable digital ledger.

This technology ensures that every single transaction—from allocation to disbursement—is permanent.

23/09/2025

EducationUSA to Host 10th University Fair in Manila

Manila, September 19, 2025—The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines invites students and parents to attend the 10th EducationUSA University Fair in Manila on September 28, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at One Ayala Mall in Makati City.

Twenty-eight U.S. colleges, universities and partner organizations are joining this year’s event, providing Filipino students, professionals, parents, and educators direct access to information about study abroad opportunities in the United States.

The following U.S. college, universities, and organizations will participate in the 2025 Fair in Makati: California State University – Chico; Calvin University; College of Central Florida; College of Saint Scholastica; Foothill College; Georgia State University; Green River Community College; Hawai‘i Pacific University; Highline College; Hope College; Johns Hopkins University; Kapi'olani Community College; Lewis University; Middle Tennessee State University; Maryland Institute College of Art; Minerva University; Moraine Valley Community College; Ohio Northern University; Pearson (PTE Academic); Saint Mary's University of Minnesota; Savannah College of Art and Design; Shoreline Community College; University of Bridgeport; University of Rochester; University of San Francisco; University of the Incarnate Word; Xavier University; and York College of Pennsylvania.

Admission to the EducationUSA University Fair is free and open to the public. Please pre-register online at educationusa.ph/Fair2025.

“Filipinos should look to the United States for exciting higher education opportunities,” said U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Y. Robert Ewing. “Welcoming over 4,000 Filipino students last year was an incredible achievement, and we are excited to see even more students unlock their potential, pursue their passions, and experience the unparalleled opportunities of a world-class U.S. education.”

In 2024, the annual Open Doors report recorded 4,100 Filipino students studying in the United States, the highest number in 15 years. The EducationUSA University Fair builds on this momentum, creating new opportunities for Filipinos to explore world-class academic programs and scholarship opportunities.

EducationUSA is the U.S. government’s official source of information on U.S. higher education, offering free advising services to students across the Philippines. With almost 4,000 accredited U.S. colleges and universities, students have access to a wide array of programs, top-notch research opportunities, and flexible academic pathways.

For more information about the EducationUSA University Fair 2025 in Manila, visit educationusa.ph/Fair2025Info or email [email protected].

(US Embassy-Manila PR)

23/09/2025

Gob CAM, nangipaay ti pakpakauna a tulong kadagiti biktima ti Bagyo Nando

Nupay napigsa ti angin ken tudo, saan a dagitoy ti nanglapped kenni Gob. Cecilia Araneta-Marcos a nagsursor kadagiti nagduduma a paset ti probinsia kabayatan ti isasaplit ni Bagyo Nando. Ti nasao a bagyo ket nangipaay iti napigsa nga angin ken tudo iti nagduduma a paset ti Northern Luzon karamanen ti probinsiatayo. Nangitunda pay daytoy ti storm surge kadagiti coastal areas. Segun iti PAGASA, ti bagyo Nando nga addaan iti international name a Ragasa ket maibilang a Super Typhoon. Kadagiti ili ti Pagudpud, Burgos, Adams, Bangui, ken Dumalneg ti nakaibayugan ti Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4, idinto nga iti nabat-bati a paset ti Ilocos Norte ket adda iti babaen ti Signal No. 3.

Ni Gob. Araneta-Marcos ket kayatna a personal a maamoan no ania ti situasion dagiti kakailian kangrunaan kadagiti lugar a napakaroan tapno ensigida a maipaay ti Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) ti maiyannatup a tulong. Ditoy nga indauloanna ti pannakaibunong dagiti relief goods kadagiti adda kadagiti evacuation centers. Kinadua ti gobernadora dagiti pannakabagi ti Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), Ilocos Norte Provincial Police Office (INPPO), ken sabsabali pay a frontline agencies tapno maipasigurado a maipaay ti kasapulan dagiti kakailian.

Kasangoanan pay ti iduduprak ti nasao a bagyo, naiyusuat dagiti serye ti taripnong nga indauloan ti gobernadora tapno iti kasta ket makapagsagana ti PGIN ken dagiti amin a kakailian kadagiti possible a negatibo nga epekto ti nasao a bagyo. Iti agdama, manarimaan ti pannakaukkon dagiti nagbalin a perdision kas kadagiti nadadael a pagtaengan, prudukto iti pagtatalunan, livestock pakairamanan iti benneg ti infra-projects. Awan ti sabali a kalkalikaguman ni Gob. Araneta-Marcos no di ti kanayon a kinatalgedtayo iti tunggal kaadda dagiti kalamidad a sumangbay. Masapul laeng ti kooperasion ti tunggal maysa kadatayo, masapul a dumngegtayo kadagiti pammilin dagiti utoridad ken kangrunaanna, masapul a kitaentayo ti kinatalgedtayo. No maaramidtayo amin dagitoy, sigurado saantayo unay a mapakaroan nupay kasano ti kapigsa wenno kadawel ti sumangbay kadatayo a kalamidad.

Agtutubo, saan a dumngeg kadagiti awan kaeseskanna a balakad

Naruay dagiti nakipagpaset kadagiti naiyusuat a rally itay napalabas a September 21. Dagitoy a rally ket namunganay kalpasan nga inbulgar ni Presidente Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ti nakaro a mapaspasamak nga irregularidad iti pannmakaiyimplementar dagiti flood control projects. Kadagiti nagbalin a rakurak ni PBBM, saanna a babalawen dagiti makipagpaset kadagiti rally gapu ta ammona ti karirikna dagitoy. Ngem nupay kasta, masapul a dagiti rally ken dagiti makipagpaset ket ipangpangrunada ti panagbalin a natalna ken nasken nga awan dagiti madangran.

Ngem no maminsan, adu dagiti personalidad dagiti manggungundaway iti agdama a situasion. Dagitoy dagiti addaan iti personal interest. Maysa ditoyen ni dati nga Ilocos Sur Governor Luis Chavit Singson. Ngamin, kalikagum na a makipagpaset dagiti agtutubo babaen iti saanda nga iseserrek iti pagadalan agingga a saan a maikkat dagiti opisial ken empleado ti gobierno a karaman iti nakaron a panagkunniber.

Para kadagiti padak nga agtutubo: laglagipen ken nasken a nalawag para kadatayo amin. Ti pudno a panagbalbaliw ket maragpat, saan a babaen iti saan nga iseserrek iti klase. No saantayo a sumrek iti pagadalan, saantayo a mapa-kapsut ti corruption ngem ketdi ti bagbagitayo ti kumapsut.

Ti edukasion ket isu ti kabilegan ken katademan nga armastayo. Ipaayna kadatayo ti umiso a panagpanpanunot, talento, ken napintas a kababalin tapno maiparuartayo ti kinapudno, ken tapno madadael ti nabayagen a sistema ti panagkurakot. Daytoy ti rason no apay nga adu dagiti adda iti poder ti mangkabuteng kadagiti edukado nga agtutubo, ammoda a saandatayo a malokloko.

Isu a, gut-gutigotenkayo a kanayon nga agatendarkayo kadagiti klaseyo. Agbasa, agsalodsod, makidebate ken makipagpasetkayo. Ti panagkunniber ket agballigi babaen iti kina-ignorante, ngem maparmek babaen kadagiti henerasion dagiti agtutubo a bumangon nga addaan iti umiso nga edukasion ken kababalin.

Ti panag-protestatayo ket saan a babaen iti panangabandonartayo kadagiti klasetayo. Awan ti makaparmek iti addaan ti napintas a kalidad nga edukasion. Ken kangrunaanna, awan ti kangrunaan a pang-laban kadagiti kurakot no saan a dagiti agtutubo a saanna nga ipalubos nga agbalinda a bulsek ken umel.

21/09/2025

150 IN seniors receive P10-K cash gift

LAOAG CITY—Cash gifts amounting to a total PHP1.5 million were divided among 150 octogenarians and nonagenarians from the cities of Laoag and Batac and the municipality of San Nicolas in Ilocos Norte on Saturday as part of the “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat para sa Lahat” program.

The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) facilitated the payout and caravan of services held in three venues.
Under Republic Act No. 11982 (Expanded Centenarians Act), all Filipinos who turn 80, 85, 90 and 95 will receive a cash gift of PHP10,000.
Eighty-one-year-old Caridad Salvador from Brgy. 27, Laoag City said in an interview that she is grateful to the government.

“Being single all my life, I am very happy that I received a cash gift from the government. This will be used to for my maintenance medicines. Thank you, Mr. President. We love you very much,” she said.

For 80-year-old Jose Ballesteros from Brgy. 12, also in this city, the money will be used for the repair of his house damaged by a previous typhoon.

“I am glad to receive the amount for my family,” Ballesteros said as he thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for thinking of the welfare of senior citizens.

Through the efforts of NCSC, it is expected that over PHP2.9 billion in financial aid will be distributed to 275,000 senior citizens across the country this year. (Leilanie G. Adriano)

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Shown in photo:
EXPANDED CENTENARIAN PROGRAM. Octogenarians and nonagenarians from the cities of Laoag and Batac, and the municipality of San Nicolas in Ilocos Norte receive cash gifts of PHP10,000 each on Saturday (Sept. 13, 2025). The National Commission of Senior Citizens facilitated the payout.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF MARY THERESE DANCEL ANCHETA)

21/09/2025

In a flavorful and festive showcase of Ilocano culinary pride, SM City Laoag successfully served a total of 1,150 Ilocos empanadas in what is now hailed as the largest empanada serving in Laoag City. The record-breaking event was one of the highlights of the SM City Laoag's Food Fest 2025, drawing in hundreds of mallgoers and food enthusiasts.

The event transformed the SM City Laoag Event Center into a vibrant hub of aroma, culture, and live performances, as empanadas were freshly served on a sun-shaped platform symbolizing the ‘Sunshine City’.

To create this record-breaking feast, organizers used a staggering 1,150 eggs and approximately 40 kilograms of Ilocos longganisa, staying true to the authentic Ilocos empanada recipe that generations of Ilocanos have come to love.

A Community Effort
The historic feat was made possible through the joint efforts of the following key partners:
• Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
• Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
• Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU)
• Northwestern University
• City Government of Laoag
• Lanie’s Empanada
• Empanada ni Behang
• Culinary Generals of the North
• Saramsam Resto Bar
• Balai Taste of Home
• Buko Express
• CS_DBC
• Martin Development Corporation

A Celebration Beyond the Plate
Adding to the energy of the occasion were live performances from local groups and Ilocano talents, bringing traditional music, dance, and artistry to the stage. The event turned into a cultural experience, uniting food and heritage in true Ilocano fashion.

A Proud Moment for Ilocos Norte
The successful serving of 1,150 empanadas stands as a testament to Ilocos Norte’s rich culinary tradition and the strong community spirit that continues to thrive in the region. SM City Laoag, together with its partners, proudly dedicates this achievement to the people of Laoag and the wider Ilocano community.

SM Supermalls' Food Fest 2025 continues to celebrate Filipino flavors and traditions not just in Ilocos, but across all SM malls nationwide.

21/09/2025

Napalaos iti ragsak dagiti tallu polo a parehas a nanggundaway iti Mass Wedding nga inyuswat iti city government of Laoag itay laeng September 19. Daytoy a programa ket napauloan iti ALISTO 'I DO'.

Ti nasao a programa ket indauloan ni Mayor James Bryan Alcid babaen ti kooperasyon dagiti nagduduma a pangopisanaan kas iti Laoag City Civil Registrar, POPCOM Office ken daduma pay.

Libre a naipaay ti singsing dagiti nagkasar, dinner para kadagiti maseknan ken bisita, adda pay ti naited a start up kits dagiti agasawa babaen kenni Mayor Alcid.

19/09/2025

LC eyes mandating telcos to install their cables underground

By Dominic dela Cruz

LAOAG CITY—The city government here is eyeing to mandate all public telecommunication facilities to install their cables or wires in a common underground cable passage.

The 1987 Constitution declares that the State recognizes the vital role of communication and information in nation-building, while Republic Act 7925, also known as the, “Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines”, also declares the policy that the fundamental objective of government is to develop and maintain a viable, efficient, reliable, and universal telecommunication infrastructure using the best available and affordable technologies, as a vital tool to nation building and development.

Section 16 of the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160) states, among others, that every local government unit shall exercise the powers expressly granted, those necessarily implied therefrom, as well as powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare and to preserve the comfort and convenience of their inhabitants and along this mandate that this policy is aligned to, particularly on the safety of the people, especially during calamities and disasters.

Laoag councilor Jaybee Baquiran said the city government of Laoag recognizes the importance of telecommunication services in local development and in disaster response.

Baquiran added that in the city, cables and poles are often destroyed or toppled during strong typhoons, earthquakes, and other calamities, poising risk to people and disruption in telecommunication services, which is very vital in times of emergencies and disasters.

Relative to this, Baquiran believes that a common underground passage of these telecommunication cables will serve the purpose of having a safer and orderly arrangement of cable connections, not only for aesthetic purposes but will also promote local tourism and cultural development by avoiding the problem of unsightly tangled connections commonly termed as spaghetti connections in the different tourism, cultural, and other conspicuous areas within the city.

He also noted that all public telecommunications entities, including cable TV operators, as well as private entities attached to electric/ telecommunication and/or private poles operating within the city are part of the mandate.

The design and the specifications of the “common underground cable passage” shall be type-approved by all telecommunication entities and shall submit and present it to the City Engineering Office, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and other relevant local agencies within the city and under the supervision of the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s public works, Transportation and communication committee chairperson and the city government of Laoag through the local chief executive, may engage the private sectors or entities with expertise on underground cable passage in the design, financing, construction, maintenance, and operation of the common underground cable passage.

“All public telecommunication entities are hereby mandated to transfer their cables or wires from poles to the common underground cable passage within a period of three years upon completion and acceptance by the City Engineering Office,” he said.

Baquiran pointed out that there shall be no installation or construction of poles for wires or cables for the utilization of public telecommunication entity without prior authorization from the task force; installation of cable or wire on existing poles of public telecommunication entities without prior authorization from the task force; and the task force shall authorize the installation of poles, case of emergency or urgent repairs necessitated by force majeure, natural calamities, accidents, or unforeseen technical issues that may pose a risk to public safety and or significantly disrupt the services of the public telecommunication entities.

Failure to comply will result in: first offense, a fine of PHP3,000 per pole per day; second offense, a fine of PHP5,000 per pole per day; and third and succeeding offenses, a fine of PHP5,000 per pole per day, and revocation of business permit.

Baquiran noted further that after the construction of the common underground cable passage, all telecommunication entities in coordination with the task force shall clear all their overhead cables and wires and remove their poles which are no longer in use.

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Shown in photo:
LAOAG councilor Jaybee Baquiran defends his measure during a regular session mandating the public telecommunications to install their cables underground. (Doms dela Cruz)

19/09/2025

Laoag eyes partnership with Parola Santuwaryo

By Dominic B. dela Cruz

LAOAG CITY—The city government of Laoag, through the Office of the City Social Welfare and Development Officer (OCSWDO) intends to partner with Parola Santuwaryo where it will become the city’s referral facility for girls aged 8 to 18 years old, who are physically or mentally disabled and could not take care of themselves and are survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation and human trafficking in the province.

Laoag councilor Donald Nicolas said Parola Santuwaryo, Inc., has been providing temporary shelter for girls-survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation and offers programs and services that ensure safety and basic needs, healing and empowering of each survivor.
Relative to this, Nicolas passed a resolution granting authority to Laoag Mayor James Bryan Q. Alcid to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Parola Santuwaryo, Inc., represented by Mr. Richard Casibang Baquiran, for the referral, assistance, and implementation of temporary shelter for girl-survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation.

Nicolas said that Section 3 (2), Article XV, of the 1987 Constitution, declares that: “The State shall defend the right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation and other conditions prejudicial to their development”.

Section 17 (b) (2) (iv) of Republic Act No. 7160, also known as the, “Local Government Code of 1991”, also provides that, “Such basic services and facilities include, but are not limited to social welfare services which include programs and projects on child and youth welfare, family and community welfare, women’s welfare, welfare of the elderly and disabled persons; community-based rehabilitation programs for vagrants, beggars, street children, scavengers, juvenile delinquents, and victims of drug abuse; livelihood and other pro-poor projects; nutrition services; and family planning services”.

In addition, Nicolas said that second paragraph, Section 2, Article I, of Republic Act No. 7610, also known as the, “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act”, also provides that “It shall be the policy of the State to protect and rehabilitate children gravely threatened or endangered by circumstances which affect or will affect their survival and normal development and over which they have no control”.

The Parola Santuwaryo Inc. is a non-profit, non-religious, and non-political organization that provides programs and services of refuge, rehabilitation and reintegration to children and women rescued from sexual and trafficking.

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Shown in photo:

LAOAG councilor Donald Nicolas defends his measure for a partnership between the city government of Laoag through the Office of the City Social Welfare and Development Officer (OCSWDO) and Parola Santuwaryo to be the city’s referral facility for girls, who are 8 and over 18 years old who are physically or mentally disabled and could not take care of themselves and are survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation and human trafficking in the province. (Doms dela Cruz)

19/09/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19JbUV3vR3/

When our officers detect fraudulent documents in a visa application or uncover information suggesting an individual may be a potential threat, we immediately alert all appropriate U.S. government agencies. We are coordinating to protect national security and keep criminals and bad actors out.

18/09/2025

DigiPlus strengthens player protection with surety bond for BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone

September 17, 2025 – DigiPlus Interactive Corp., the country’s premier digital entertainment provider behind BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone, today announced a landmark partnership with Philippine First Insurance Co. Inc. (PhilFirst), the country’s first domestic insurance company. Together, they have introduced the Philippines’ first-ever surety bond program for online gaming players – setting a new benchmark in player protection. The program takes effect immediately.

For players, this means more peace of mind every time they log in, as long as their eKYC (electronic Know-Your-Customer) information is up to date and they continue to play within the platform’s guidelines. Whether it’s a casual gamer or a loyal fan celebrating a big win, they can enjoy BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone knowing their wallets and balances are even better protected.

Through this initiative, eligible players benefit from an added financial safeguard. The surety bond protects player balances of up to ₱1 million per player, without requiring customers to purchase a separate policy.

“DigiPlus is proud to be the first in the industry to roll out this level of consumer protection,” said DigiPlus Chairman Eusebio H. Tanco. “We are committed to putting our players first. With this surety bond, they can play confidently on BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone, knowing that their funds are safeguarded.”
How does the DigiPlus surety bond work?
● Eligibility: Players must be eKYC-verified, have made at least one successful deposit, and be in good standing within the platform’s guidelines.
● Coverage: The surety bond safeguards player wallets and balances up to ₱1 million per player.
● Activation: Protection is in place immediately and applies automatically for all eligible players across BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone.

This latest measure strengthens DigiPlus’ commitment to reliable customer service and protection, adding the surety bond to its 24/7 customer support and 130+ physical BingoPlus stores nationwide, which already serve as convenient and trusted outlets for players.
With the addition of the surety bond, DigiPlus continues to raise industry standards – delivering not only engaging and innovative gaming offerings but also a stronger guarantee of trust, security, and peace of mind for its customers.

About DigiPlus Interactive Corp.
DigiPlus Interactive Corp. pioneered digital entertainment in the Philippines. It introduced leading platforms BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone, widely known for their engaging experiences in interactive gaming and sports entertainment. For more information, visit: www.digiplus.com.ph.

About PhilFirst
PhilFirst Insurance is the first Filipino domestic insurance company in the Philippines, offering a wide array of non-life insurance coverage to individuals and corporations.

Established in 1906, PhilFirst provides insurance services for homes, motor vehicles, personal accidents, travel, liability, marine, engineering, and bonds. The Company is dedicated to delivering excellent and personalized service to ensure customer satisfaction while addressing the needs of its partners, brokers, agents, and stakeholders.

We maintain a team of highly competent and motivated employees who adhere to our corporate values of excellence, integrity, creativity, innovation, and social responsibility.
At PhilFirst, we’re proud to bring our 119 years of insurance expertise into the digital entertainment space through this groundbreaking partnership with DigiPlus. Protecting the hard-earned funds of BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone players reflects our promise to keep evolving with the market while staying true to our core mission: giving Filipinos peace of mind so they can fully enjoy life’s opportunities. This surety bond is more than a product – it’s proof that PhilFirst is ready to safeguard customers wherever innovation takes them.