The Ilocos Times

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Vintar , Ilocos Norte—The rugged terrain surrounded by dry and deteriorating hilly mountains at remote Brgy. Dipilat, about 10 kilometers from the town proper is all worth it for students and members of the Junior Foresters’ Association (JFA) of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) if only to let villagers here appreciate the value of a healthy forest equals a healthy living. As part of the forestry week celebration on Feb. 2-7 , the MMSU-College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development in Batac City spearheaded the event dubbed as, “The Forestry Profession for ASEAN Integration.” Charlie Batin, organizational adviser of the JFA said the celebration highlights the conduct of a seminar on Environmental and Natural Resources Laws in the landslide-prone area of Dipilat village. Mr. Batin said this initiative aims to foster environmental awareness for sustainable forest management, leadership among forestry students an

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Solsona , Ilocos Norte—If your exquisite tongue longs for exotic food delicacies cooked the Ilocano traditional way, you should visit Solsona’s exotic food fair as local residents celebrated Gameng festival. Now on its 8 th  year, the Gameng Festival showcasing the town’s best treasures ranging from gastronomic food delights, authentic culture and pride continue to draw attention particularly among visiting balikbayans and tourists as well. Local residents, guests and visitors feasted on a buffet of exotic food delights such as wild deer, boar, native kuhol (snail), abuos (ants eggs), paltat (catfish), dalag (mudfish), agurong , birabid , ballaiba and a whole lot more. Dubbed as “Naisangsangayan a taraon,” people lined up at the eat-all-you-can buffet tables as a way of thanksgiving this year.    Solsona Mayor Jonathan De Lara said the food fair is one way of showcasing Solsona town’s best products which has kept

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT FIRST JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 17, BATAC CITY, ILOCOS NORTE TIBURCIO D. SIGGAOAT, Petitioner, -versus- BERNADETTE GOMEZ SIGGAOAT, Respondent. Civil Case No. 5418-17 x- - - - - - - -x O R D E R           The Motion for Service of Summons by publication filed by petitioner’s counsel, being in order is GRANTED.           Let the Summons be issued to be served upon the respondent through publication thereof for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation at the expense of the petitioner, in accordance with Section 14, Rule 14 of the 1997 Rule of Civil Procedure and to give the respondent a period of sixty (60) days from the last publication within which to submit her Answer to the petition.           SO ORDERED.           Given this 24 th day of September, 2014 at Batac City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. (SGD)ISIDORO T. POBRE Executive Judge REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIO

DOCTORS  Jeneveve Suliva and Diane Licuan   of the Provincial Veterinary Office inspect the dead calf humpback whale at Sitio Aprot, Brgy. Caparispisan in Pagudpud on February 16, 2015.  (Photo by Arthur Valente) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Pagudpud , Ilocos Norte—A stranded male calf humpback whale ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) was found floating on surf above the sea grass area at Sitio Aprot, Brgy. Caparispisan here, a report from the Provincial Agriculture Office said on Feb. 16. In a letter addressed to Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos on February 16, provincial agriculturist Norma Lagmay said the dead calf, measuring 5.87 meters long was believed to be the same whale seen by foreign tourists surfing off Terra Rica resort in Saud Beach on February 9, 2015. This is the first marine mammal stranding in the year 2015 in the province, according to Arthur Valente, provincial fishery regulatory officer in Ilocos Norte. Upon inspection of

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Badoc, Ilocos Norte —A nursing graduate from the state-run Mariano Marcos State University in Batac City who took up medicine at the Far Eastern University is among the top 10 passers of the recently concluded Physician Licensure Examination (PLE) this February. Ranked No. 10 is Harold Jay Siggaoat Baytec of Barangay 9 (Paltit) in Badoc, Ilocos Norte with an average rating of 85.42. Of the 832 examinees in the PLE, 594 passed the exam. Proud of having another young Ilocano topnotcher, this time, in the field of medicine, Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos lauded Mr. Baytec for topping the physician examination conducted by the Board of Medicine. The governor said that the latest achievement of Dr. Baytec be an inspiration to all young Ilocanos to pursue their dreams. Known to family and friends as kind-hearted, fun-loving and diligent student since kindergarten days, Mr. Baytec has always been a consistent

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter Piddig Mayor Eddie Guillen Piddig , Ilocos Norte—The municipal government of Piddig bagged the cleanest, safest and greenest local government unit (LGU) award under the class A municipal category during the recently concluded provincial search in 2014. For the first time, the Piddig government under the administration of Mayor Eduardo Guillen won the overall championship, after he effectively transformed a once laid back municipality into a growing agri-business and eco-tourism sector, being the host of the first Regional Convergence Initiative (RCI) for the largest coffee farm development in the making. In a letter addressed to Mr. Guillen, Regional Development Council I vice chairperson Nestor G. Rillon, who is also the current regional director of National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) said the municipality of Piddig shall represent Ilocos Norte in the 2015 regional search for the cleanest, safest and greenest municipa