The Ilocos Times

By Bernard Ver Contributor San Fernando City , La Union—The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) regional office 1 conducted a familiarization and beneficial functions of the organization conference to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the region here. Social benefits update At the forum, OWWA social benefit head Marissa C. Naboye discussed the “MedPlus” and welfare assistance program (WAP) for the “land-based” and “sea-based” workers. The assistance program deals with the accidental and death benefits for active, and non-active members including suicide cases—which falls under natural death. Also, the WAP program covers calamity assistance and can give PHP3,000for the active member and PHP1,500 for the inactive. OWWA will give the said assistance within three months after a declaration of a ‘state of calamity” by the government. Other assistances OWWA offers are: bereavement, disability, medical assistance, relief assistance that ranges from PHP10,000

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter BATAC CITY—Following the investiture of Dr. Shirley Agrupis, seventh president of state-run Mariano Marcos State University here, she enjoined local government units in Ilocos Norte to strengthen partnership with the university to promote inclusive growth. Backed by Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos, the One Town, One Technology (OTOTech) project of MMSU primarily aims to sustain food production and development in the countryside. “After getting the support of the governor, MMSU is setting a milestone for MMSU and the Ilocos Norte government to hit the landmark of pursuing development efforts in the countryside,” said Ms. Agrupis. OTOTech is one of the research initiatives of MMSU featuring product development, process, and services that aim to identify, develop, process, and eventually sustain the needs, interests, and concerns of the rural communities. In this program, MMSU imparts the knowledge a

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter BATAC CITY—Freshly-dried and processed products of seaweeds and bamboo are the main attraction of a three-day Regional Symposium on Research and Development Highlights held at the Teatro Ilocandia of the Mariano Marcos State University, this city. To showcase the different technologies utilizing bamboo and seaweeds, MMSU opened the exhibit to the public at the MMSU covered court on November 27, 2017 where local consumers, farmers and businessmen could probably connect to develop partnership. Some of these products include engineered bamboo products like chairs, tables, plaques, souvenir items, seaweed noodles, polvoron and bread among others. Dr. Segundina Gaerlan, assistant regional director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said in a press conference also on Monday said the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) currently support these two commoditie

A “farce” is a broad satire or comedy, though now it’s used to describe something that is supposed to be serious but has turned ridiculous.” https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/farce What are examples of a farce? (1) Honolulu rail project, (2) Russians decided the outcome of the last national election by using social media, (3) USCIS will likely grant humanitarian reinstatement of a dead petitioner’s petition, (4) all of the above, (5) none of the above.  Upon the death of an immigration petitioner, the approval of the petition is revoked as of the date of the approval. 8 CFR 205.1(a)(3). In other words, the petition dies with the petitioner. However, there is an exception known as “humanitarian reinstatement” or “humanitarian revalidation”. The petition is not deemed revoked if “U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) determines, as a matter of discretion exercised for humanitarian reasons in light of the facts of a particular case, that it is inappropriat

LAOAG CITY—Following the construction of community fish landing centers (CFLC) in the province, the Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has proposed the collection of unloading fee for fishery products. Arthur Valente, fishery regulatory coordinator of the Provincial Agriculture Office said they are now conducting public consultation with coastal communities here to solicit their support. Pegged at one peso per kilo of freshly caught fish unloaded at the CFLC, Mr. Valente said whatever amount collected from the fishermen will return to them in the form of government projects and services. In Ilocos Norte, the government has already constructed seven fish landing sites to monitor fishery catch here. They are in Laoag City and in the coastal towns of Badoc, Paoay, Pasuquin, Bangui, Burgos and Pagudpud. Mr. Valente said data collection is very important to determine the right government intervention to improve the socio-e

Piddig , Ilocos Norte—Carabao, or water buffalo, was once a farmer’s best friend in Ilocos Norte. Farming families highly depended on it for draft. But as heavy infrastructure developments and agricultural modernization took place, the carabao industry has waned over the years. In Piddig town, the local government unit here is trying to save water buffalo from extinction. Recognizing its potential as a local source of milk and meat, Piddig mayor Georgina Salazar-Guillen believes the need to develop and conserve water buffalo production. “We need carabaos, not just to help farmers to plow the land but they also give us milk and meat. They exist to balance our ecosystem,” Ms. Guillen said in an interview. As baby steps to revive the industry, the Piddig local government moved to conduct an inventory of the remaining water buffalo in every rural village here. Under the animal health program here, the local government unit will focus on the health welfare of water bu

Leveraging the compact car maker’s SUV heritage, equipped with features Suzuki Philippines’ new subcompact SUV encourages individuality, personalization, safer driving and fuel efficiency.   Pioneer compact car maker Suzuki Philippines launches the all-new Vitara in the PH market during an event at the Metrotent Convention Center in Pasig City on November 9. (From left) Suzuki Philippines (SPH) managing director and treasurer Norminio Mojica, Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) Asia automobile department general manager Shigeo Takezawa, SPH president Hiroshi Suzuki, SPH general manager for automobile Shuzo Hoshikura, SMC global automobile planning department general manager Nobutaka Suzuki, SPH assistant general manager Cecil Capacete. MANILA, Philippines—Leading compact car maker Suzuki Philippines (SPH) finally ends the wait today with the official launch of the new Vitara. Designed to match the growing automotive market in the country, the new-generation Vitara encapsulates the