Skip to main content

Opening of classes generally peaceful, orderly in Ilocos Norte

By Leilanie G. Adriano & Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff Reporters

Laoag City—More than 60,000 elementary pupils and 20,000 high school students woke up early on June 2 to attend the first day of classes today in the new school year.

Speaking in behalf of Ilocos Norte Schools Division Superintendent Araceli Pastor who just reported for work on June 3 after a month-long holiday trip to the United States, assistant schools division superintendent Joel Lopez said the June 2 opening of classes among public schools was generally peaceful and orderly in Ilocos Norte.

“So far, we have not encountered any problems,” Lopez said citing the annual conduct of Brigada Eskwela which ensured the smooth and orderly resumption of classes today.

According to Mr. Lopez, at least 170 new teachers were hired this year to augment the teaching pool with the implementation of the K-12 education curriculum. He said however that they have yet to determine the increase of enrollment this year.

There were also at least five integrated schools located in Vintar and Badoc which opened this June.

Just after the flag raising ceremony, students and teachers such as at the Laoag Central Elementary School immediately proceeded to their classrooms and started their class.

While maintaining an average ratio of one teacher per 30 students (1:30), the Ilocos Norte education department continue to produce highly competitive students, gaining numerous awards both in national and international events.

In terms of manpower development, Ilocos Norte boasts of its high literacy rate as compared to other provinces in the country.

Meanwhile, members of the Philippine National Police were also deployed in various schools of Ilocos Norte to ensure the safety and security of students. They likewise helped in maintaining a smooth flow of traffic in thickly-populated schools.

LC police in full alert for opening of classes
IN Laoag City, officer-in-charge P/Supt. Jeffrey Gorospe said the police was in full alert for the opening of classes as officers were deployed in all the elementary and high school around the city.

Mr. Gorospe added that they earlier met with barangay officials and tanods where schools are located to ensure peace as well as the smooth flow of traffic.

He said the ongoing construction of a bridge near a Catholic school along Gen. Segundo Ave. may increase traffic volume in the area and that they have devised a re-routing scheme to lessen its effects.

The Laoag police OIC also revealed that they are now suffering from lack of personnel following the recall of 10 officers lent as augmentation force by the police regional office. But he expressed hopes that they would still maintain their functions.

Meanwhile, the city police is also stepping up its monitoring of suspected pushers infiltrating schools this school opening.

Mr. Gorospe said they have learned of a modus wherein school-age individuals may pose as high school or college students to enter schools to peddle illegal drugs.

He also said that the police would also monitor fraternities inside and outside schools to prevent violent clashes. He however admitted that there are also fraternities which are helpful to the city. Among these are the fraternities they tap during various events in the city.

Schools fumigated
MEANWHILE, city health officer Dr. Renato Mateo said they have started fumigation of schools long before the start of classes to prevent mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus from breeding.

Aside from the fumigation activities, Dr. Mateo added that his office will also distribute rice husks to the different barangays in a bid to fight dengue.


The Laoag City Bureau of Fire Protection has also re-inspected dormitories and boarding houses in the city in preparation for the new school year.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Empanada festival: A celebration of good taste and good life

By Dominic B. dela Cruz & Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporters BATAC CITY—If there is one thing Batac is truly proud of, it would be its famous empanada-making business that has nurtured its people over the years. Embracing a century-old culture and culinary tradition, Batac’s empanada claims to be the best and tastiest in the country with its distinctive Ilokano taste courtesy of its local ingredients: fresh grated papaya, mongo, chopped longganisa, and egg. The crispy orange wrapper and is made of rice flour that is deep-fried. The celebration of this city’s famous traditional fast food attracting locals and tourists elsewhere comes with the City Charter Day of Batac every 23 rd  of June. Every year, the City Government of Batac led by Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta commemorate the city’s charter day celebration to further promote its famous One-Town, One Product, the Batac empanada. Empanada City The Batac empanada festival has already become an annua

PIDS expert says income tax cuts justified; warns gov’t of revenue loss

Proposals to amend the personal income tax schedule appear to be well-justified. However, these proposals should include measures that will allow government to recover the revenue loss from lower income taxes. Dr. Rosario Manasan, senior research fellow of state think-tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), said at a seminar sponsored by the Philippine Senate, that government should look for new revenue measures to compensate for the projected revenue loss that will arise as a result of the implementation of any of the various proposals to restructure the personal income tax. Currently, there are several income tax reform proposals pending in both houses of Congress. All of them, according to Dr. Manasan, have the same objective of addressing the phenomenon of bracket creep, which results from “non-indexation to inflation of personal income tax brackets”. Simply put, bracket creep occurs when employees’ income increases over time as a result of inflation. Th

PGIN honors Ilocano heroes of past, present through Heroes Walk

SPO1 Allan Lampitoc Franco of Banna, Ilocos Norte and PO2 Jovalyn D. Lozano of Adams, Ilocos Norte receive a resolution of commendation, a certificate of college scholarship grant to their family members and a P20,000 cash incentive each from the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte represented by Governor Imee R. Marcos and Vice Governor Angelo M. Barba in recognition of their bravery and heroic acts in the Mamasapano clash in Maguindanao on January 25. Mr. Franco and Mr. Lozano were recognized on March 10 in time for the unveiling of the second batch of Ilocano heroes at the Heroes Walk located along the Sirib Mile in Laoag City.  (Lei Adriano) By Jennifer T. Pambid PGIN-CMO In honor of the heroes who brought freedom, fame and glory to the province as well as to the country in the past century, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) through the Education Department and Sirib Youth Office launched the second batch of Ilocano Heroes Walk on March 10, 2015.