30 cops to augment forces in upland Ilocos Sur

BANTAY, Ilocos Sur (Oct. 25) — A 30–man police team from the Ilocos region were deployed to the 12 upland towns in the province for the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on October 29.

Ilocos Sur Police Director Senior Superintendent Virgilio G. Fabros identified the 12 upland towns as Nagbukel, Burgos, Banayoyo, Lidlidda, San Emilio, Quirino, Cervantes, Del Pilar, Suyo, Alilem, Sugpon and Salcedo. # Freddie G. Lazaro/PIA Ilocos Sur

65 punong barangays in La Union unopposed

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (Oct. 26) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) La Union Provincial Office reported that 65 out of the 576 punong barangays (barangay captains) in the province remain unopposed in the forthcoming synchronized Barangay and Sangguniaang Kabataan (SK) elections.

Comelec data showed that a total of 440,476 registered voters from the 19 municipalities and lone city are registered. The province remains peaceful, according to Comelec. # Miriam P. Aquino/PIA La Union

Ilocos solon seeks reduction of tobacco imports

VIGAN CITY (Oct. 25) — House Deputy Speaker for Northern Luzon Eric D. Singson filed a bill seeking to reduce imported tobacco raw materials in the cigarette manufacturing by private companies from 80 percent to 20 percent to strengthen the demand and sustainability of the locally produced Virginia tobacco.

Singson also sought higher floor prices of the flue – cured tobacco to encourage farmers to engage in Virginia tobacco production.

Records from the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) show that Ilocos Sur is the country’s biggest producer of the Virginia tobacco, the main cash crop in Ilocos provinces after the rice-planting season. It is a steady source of fund for Republic Act No. 7171, otherwise known as tobacco excise tax law authored by former Congressman Luis Chavit Singson. # Freddie G. Lazaro/PIA Ilocos Sur

3 NPAs receive cash in Isabela

GAMU, Isabela (Oct. 24) — Three New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who voluntarily surrendered received cash reward for each firearm they turned over to Army officials here last week.

Rafael Gunday, Randy Sapongen and Antonio Pingian, all from Abra province, received a total of P56,000 as firearms compensation under the Balik-Baril Program of the government.

Gunday, a.k.a. Sonny, from Kilong Alao, Boliney, Abra received the amount of P2,000 for turning-in his Springfield rifle. Sapongen, aka Allen, from Ampalick, Luba also received the amount of P18,000 for his M16 rifle and Pingian, aka Anton, from Manabo received the amount of P36,000 for turning in two rifles, an M16 and M14. # PIA-Isabela

54th IB returns from retraining in NCR

GAMU, Isabela (Oct. 23) — The 54th Infantry Battalion has returned to the 5th Infantry Division, October 22, after having been sent to Manila in the midst of talks about coup attempts.

The 54IB, under its Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Benjamin M. Laguardia recently undergone retraining as the centerpiece of the 5th ID’s effort in force development, when orders came for their movement to Manila on the night of September 21. # PIA-Isabela

Sto. Niño Shrine gets first-ever Carillon bells in North Luzon

TUGUEGARAO CITY (Oct. 26) — Fr. Bernie Corpuz, Sto. Niño parish priest said Cagayan is the first-ever province in Northern Luzon to acquire the Carillon Bell System.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ceremonially turned on the Carillon Bell System of the Sto. Niño Shrine in San Gabriel Village during its inauguration recently.

The P1.6 million worth musical instrument was purchased from Netherlands. It consist of 12 specifically tuned and precisely manufactured brass bells housed on top of newly built belfry. # PIA Cagayan