Ilocos Norte farmers share tons of harvest to the

needy
By Leilanie Adriano April 8, 2020, 9:40 pm

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FREE WATERMELONS. Dennis Adriano, a watermelon farmer in Barangay Maan-anteng,

Solsona, Ilocos Norte distributes more than half a ton of his harvest to residents of the town and
even of neighboring areas on Tuesday (April 7, 2020). Adriano and other farmers opted to give
away their produce to help those in need during the Covid-19 health crisis. (Contributed photo)

LAOAG CITY—Several farmers in the province who are large-scale producers of fruits and
vegetables are giving out their harvest to local residents in need of food for free amid the
extended enhanced community quarantine.

Instead of watching his produce rot from the field because of limited transport, watermelon
farmer Dennis Adriano (not related to this writer) from Barangay Maan-anteng, Solsona, Ilocos
Norte, opted to share his huge volume of harvest to neighbors and other Ilocanos in nearby towns
and cities.

“I know it's crisis time and not everyone can afford to buy their own food. So for everyone who
wants watermelon, you are free to have a share of my harvest,” he said in a radio interview.
On Monday, he visited one radio station in Laoag City and brought with him more than half a
ton of watermelons for free distribution to the community.

Tomato growers in Laoag City and Sarrat town likewise delivered some of their produce to their
neighboring households while some were turned over to local government units. With this,
around two kilos of tomatoes were added to the packs of relief goods being distributed to the less
fortunate residents.

In Dingras town, Lyndon Madrid, a grower of assorted high value crops such as eggplant, papaya
and various flowering plants, is selling his produce at a very low price to make even in this
challenging time.

Provincial Agriculturist Norma Lagmay said Tuesday the province is presently 500 percent self-
sufficient in terms of agricultural crops intended to be traded outside the province.

“We have a food surplus as of the moment because of limited travel. But in order to sustain our
food chain, we need to fast track the purchase of summer vegetable seeds and fertilizers ready
for distribution to our affected farmers,” she said.

To help farmers with their oversupply, Lagmay said the provincial government has allocated at
least PHP500,000 for the purchase of their products to be distributed to the needy. “We are now
consolidating our farmers and in the next distribution of relief goods, our food packs shall
already include local fruits and vegetables,” she said. (PNA)
7K workers in Region 1 get Covid-19
financial support
By Hilda Austria April 8, 2020, 9:29 pm

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FINANCIAL SUPPORT. Workers in the formal sector receive on April 7, 2020 financial
support worth PHP5,000 each from the Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) Covid-
19 (coronavirus disease 2019) Adjustment Measures Program. DOLE’s other program, Tulong
Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/ Disadvantaged Workers, is for the informal sector workers.
(Photo courtesy of Jufecar Benitez)

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan — Some 7,048 workers from the formal and informal sectors in
Region 1 (Ilocos) have received financial support from the national government through the
programs of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) amid the coronavirus disease
2019 (Covid-19) crisis.
 
In an interview Wednesday, DOLE-1 regional director Nathaniel Lacambra said funding under
the Covid-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) has been downloaded to the 4,048 formal
sector employees of the 317 establishments in the region as of April 8.  
 
“Each qualified employee receives PHP5,000 financial support under DOLE’s CAMP. The total
funding dispersed for the first batches of formal sector workers amounts to a total of PHP20.2
million,” he said.
 
He added the qualified employees will receive a text message from a money remittance center
for the control number that they will use to claim their financial support. Some employees
though will get the amount in their personal bank accounts.
 
“We have directed the amount to the employees to ensure that they will be the one to receive it
immediately, as well as for the convenience of the employees and the employers,” Lacambra
said.
 
He added the processing of the other CAMP applications is still ongoing and that DOLE-1 will
work even during the Holy Week.
 
“We are targeting that by Friday (April 10), we will be able to again release another PHP20
million for the other batches of CAMP recipients,” he said.
 
CAMP offers financial support to affected workers in private establishments that have adopted
flexible work arrangements or temporary closure during the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
“This covers all employees in the formal sector or those under employee-employer relationship;
may they be casual, contractual, or job order employees, they are qualified,” Lacambra said.
 
He added the employers will be the ones to apply for their employees. Other details regarding
CAMP are accessible on DOLE Ilocos region’s Facebook page.
 
Meanwhile, some 3,000 workers in the informal sector in the region have received their financial
support under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/ Disadvantaged Workers
(TUPAD) worth PHP3,400 each.  
 
“Those who belong to the informal sectors are tricycle drivers, ambulant vendors, among others,
who do not have a definite employer,” he said.
 
Lacambra clarified the recipients of TUPAD financial support have worked for 10 days and
earned the amount given to them.
 
He added they are paid on a daily basis within 10 days based on the highest minimum wage in
the region amounting to PHP340 per day.
 
“Their task is to clean and disinfect their own house and their own surroundings. This may be a
simple task but the government believes that protection (against Covid-19) begins at home.
Because if one of them in the family gets sick, that would be a bigger problem,” Lacambra said.
 
Aside from their wage, the qualified TUPAD recipient also receives personal accident insurance,
materials for cleaning, among others.
 
Lacambra said DOLE-1 has already requested to the central office another PHP10 million for the
next batch of TUPAD beneficiaries in the region.
 
“Informal sector workers who may be interested in availing the program may go to their Public
Employment Services Office, which is the counterpart of DOLE in their localities,” he added.
(PNA)
State university execs raise funds for
stranded students
By Reynaldo Andres April 8, 2020, 9:01 pm

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STRANDED STUDENTS. Dr. Florecita Cortero, chairman of the Mariano Marcos State
University's Department of Development Communication (extreme left), helps in the distribution
of food packs to stranded students of the College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable
Development (CAFSD). Several students have been stranded in their boarding houses due to the
extended enhanced community quarantine in Luzon. (Contributed photo)

BATAC CITY-- Deans of various colleges of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU)
here on Tuesday (April 7) launched a fund raising campaign among their staff to provide
students stranded in boarding houses and dormitories with their basic needs amid the extended
enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon due to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19)
crisis.

So far, various departments of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) have raised a total
amount of PHP25,500 which will be used to buy food packs through the Office for Student
Affairs and Services (OSAS).
Aside from the amount, another PHP20,000 was pledged for the same purpose. “This 'bayanihan'
program stemmed from the CAS Alumni Association (CASAA), which recently launched its
donation drive dubbed "Tayo MagCASAAma Laban sa Covid-19" in order to raise financial
support to students who have been locked down amid the Covid-19 pandemic since March 16,”
said Dr. Elizabeth Marfel Gagni, director of the university’s Student Affairs and Services.

The association said in its official Facebook page on Saturday (April 4) that it will also help the
front-liners of the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in case there is a
surplus in donations from the MMSU community.

The CASAA said donors may send their pledges through the following accounts: PNB
(546870600018), BDO (005490129906), BPI (3449043439), GCash (09178450042), PayMaya
and Landbank (through QR codes).

Meanwhile, the College of Business, Economics and Accountancy (CBEA) has also raised a
substantial amount from its faculty, staff, student council, and academic organization members.
The collection was used by the college to help its 15 stranded students.

CBEA is still seeking for more donors and planning to share some funds to other students of the
university.

The College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development (CAFSD), on the other hand,
has collected PHP17,000 from its faculty members, which was used to buy food packs for its
nine stranded students.

The College of Engineering, too, was not left behind as it collected a substantial amount for its
52 stranded students and two front-liners.
 
Prior to this “bayanihan” activity, the MMSU already launched three major initiatives in
response to the Covid-19 crisis -- the production of 70 percent ethyl alcohol from nipa extracts
by the National Bioenergy Research and Innovation Center (NBERIC); creation of improvised
face masks by the College of Industrial Technology; and the food rationing program for MMSU
students and front-liners. (PNA)
Food supply in Pangasinan sufficient: prov’l
agri exec
By Hilda Austria April 8, 2020, 4:57 pm

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SUFFICIENT SUPPLY. Farmers in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan dry their palay on April 7, 2020.
They are among the farmers in the province continuously working amid the coronavirus disease
2019 crisis. (PNA photo by Hilda Martin Austria)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The Provincial Agriculture Office has assured a sufficient supply of
agricultural products in the province amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis.
 
In an interview Tuesday, provincial agriculturist Dalisay Moya said the province even has a
surplus of rice production.
 
“Pangasinan is a rice-producing province with about 1.1 million metric tons a year. Practically
what we produce, we consume and there is still a surplus,” she said.
 
Moya said farmers in the province are now entering the harvest season for their second cropping
for palay with 378,500 metric tons expected harvest and 366,000 metric tons for yellow corn.
 
The province also produces lowland vegetables such as tomatoes, lady’s fingers, eggplants,
among others, she said.
 
Moya said with the aid of the Department of Agriculture, the province has distributed seedlings
to households as they encourage every resident to establish their own backyard garden.
 
“The seedlings are of those vegetables that (are) easily grown such as eggplants, tomatoes,
among others,” she added.
 
Backyard gardening in the community was also highly encouraged even prior to the crisis, she
said.
 
“We even conducted training on urban gardening for households in urban areas that have no or
little space for gardening, so we taught them container gardening,” she added.
 
Meanwhile, Moya said the bangus (milkfish) supply in the province remains stable.
 
“Aside from bangus, we have other inland fish products that are grown in fishponds. And even
before, the provincial government headed by Governor Amado Espino III continuously dispersed
fingerlings into the rivers all over the province so that the fishermen will have something to
catch,” she added.
 
Works related to agriculture are uninterrupted amid the extremely enhanced community
quarantine in the province.
 
“They need not stop working because people have not stopped eating so we need their produce,”
Moya said. (PNA)
Dagupan mayor donates 8-month salary to
buy test kits
By Liwayway Yparraguirre April 8, 2020, 4:53 pm

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SALARY DONATION. Mayor Marc Brian Lim of Dagupan City donates his eight-month
salary for the fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). He bought 1,000 units of rapid
anti-body test kits for the city government to test suspected cases in the city. (Photo courtesy of
Dagupan Public Information Office)

DAGUPAN CITY — Mayor Marc Brian Lim has donated his eight-month salary to buy 1,000
units of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) rapid anti-body test kits (RATK) for patients under
investigation (PUIs) and persons under monitoring (PUMs) here.
 
The city’s Public Information Office said Lim’s move made him the first elected official in
Pangasinan to donate his salary in the fight against Covid-19.
 
“The test kits, which have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, are sold
commercially at about PHP1,000 each costing Mayor Lim about PHP1 million, the equivalent of
his salary for eight months,” the PIO in a statement posted on its Facebook page on Wednesday.
 
In an interview, Lim said he decided to use his personal money because under Circular No.
2020-0160 of the Department of Health (DOH), no public funds should be used to buy the rapid
test kits.
 
According to the DOH, the RATK can only detect the presence of antibodies produced by a
person to fight the virus and can only be used as an additional tool after a PUI has completed the
14-day quarantine and is discharged from a health facility.
 
“Even if the RATK results are not confirmatory, the city government will be better equipped in
making strategic decisions and exercising other precautionary health measures in dealing with
patients pending the outcome of test results from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine
(RITM) or other accredited Covid-19 testing facilities,” he said.
 
Under the DOH guidelines, patients who tested positive for Covid-19 and those who tested
negative but symptomatic must be isolated.
 
As of this posting, Dagupan City has 42 PUIs. Four of them are being treated in different
hospitals in the city while 11 of them have been discharged. 
 
Only nine PUIs are completing their 14-day home quarantine while 15 have already completed
it.
 
However, four PUIs have died while waiting for their Covid-19 test results. (PNA) 
Pangasinan records first 2 recovered Covid-
19 patients
By Hilda Austria April 7, 2020, 9:46 pm

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RECOVERED PATIENT. A doctor, along with other health workers at the Pangasinan
Provincial Hospital, greets and applauds one of the two coronavirus disease 2019 patients in the
province who recovered on April 7, 2020. The patient was sent home following negative results
in the recent repeat test. (Photo courtesy of Province of Pangasinan's Facebook page)

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan — A 54-year-old female nurse from Barangay Nalsian Sur this
town and a 68-year-old male Filipino-American from Barangay Cablong, Pozorrubio town were
the first to recover from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in Pangasinan.
 
The Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (PPH) where the patient from this town was admitted for a
couple of weeks confirmed on Tuesday that she was sent home after she recovered from
pneumonia symptoms of Covid-19 and tested negative of the virus.
 
“The patient was finally sent home on April 7, following a negative result of her Covid-19 repeat
test done on March 31,” PPHO said on its Facebook account.
 
The patient was admitted on March 16. She had close contact with the first Covid-19 patient
from Bayambang town who died of the disease.
 
“The hospital hopes for more recoveries from this disease as it continues to provide quality
healthcare services to all its patients,” PPH added.
 
Meanwhile, the other Covid-19 patient who recovered was discharged from the Medical City in
Ortigas where the patient was admitted. 
 
The patient traveled abroad and was admitted to the hospital since his arrival in the country.
 
As of 7 p.m. April 7, Pangasinan has 29 Covid-19 cases; eight have died, while 19 are still
admitted in hospitals. Since April 5, no additional cases were recorded.
 
The most recent case is a 33-year-old female doctor who was a patient under investigation (PUI)
before her test result came out positive on April 3.
 
“The patient was admitted to our institution last March 29, as a PUI but was discharged after two
days and opted for home quarantine. We would like to inform the public that the patient is
recuperating well and awaiting the scheduled follow up test,” EPDH said in an advisory issued
on April 4 posted on its Facebook page.
 
The hospital’s services were temporarily suspended until further notice to give way to infection
prevention and control measures, it added.
 
There are a total of 94 PUIs, 10 of them have died, 37 are admitted in the hospitals, and 47 have
recovered. (PNA)
China donates medical supplies to Ilocos
Norte front-liners
By Leilanie Adriano April 7, 2020, 9:35 pm

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DONATION. The Chinese government represented by Zhou Youbin, head of consulate of the
People's Republic of China in Laoag City (left), turns over medical supplies to Ilocos Norte
Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc on Monday (April 6, 2020). The materials will be used by
health front-liners in the province in their fight against Covid-19. (Photo courtesy of Ilocos
Norte province)

LAOAG CITY—Boxes of medical supplies meant to protect health front-liners in the province
arrived on Monday at the Ilocos Norte Capitol courtesy of the Chinese government.

In his public statement, Zhou Youbin, head of consulate of People's Republic of China in this
city, said, “China will always remember the support from Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc
and Filipino friends during China’s fight against Covid-19.”

The Chinese official is referring to a video of the Ilocos Norte governor last month encouraging
the people of Shandong, which, he said, was “very impactful”.
As Ilocos Norte is now dealing with a similar health crisis, its sister province of Shandong
donated a total of 25,000 pieces of medical surgical masks, 2,000 pieces of N95 medical masks,
2,000 pieces of goggles, and 2,000 sets of medical protective suits, which are all much needed by
the local health front-liners.

“I wish all patients infected will recover soon. Let’s overcome the difficulty together in this
challenging time. We are together, we win together,” the Chinese consul said.

Manotoc said he couldn't thank enough the Shandong government for delivering the urgently
needed materials the quickest possible time.

The Shandong province of China has shared sister-province relations with Ilocos Norte since
2002. In fact, the first foreign trip of Manotoc as governor was in Shandong when he, along with
some provincial officials and department heads, attended an international friendship conference
there in October last year.

Aside from personal protective equipment, the Laoag Chinese Consulate also provided relief
goods worth PHP600,000 to the local residents. (PNA)

 
Pangasinan opens extension patient care
center
By Hilda Austria April 7, 2020, 9:14 pm

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DISINFECTION. Some Pangasinan provincial government workers disinfect the patient care
center in Sta. Barbara town on Monday (April 6, 2020). The patient care center houses patients
under investigation who tested negative for coronavirus disease 2019 but needed to complete the
quarantine period. (Photo courtesy of Province of Pangasinan's Facebook page)

STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan – The provincial government of Pangasinan has opened an

extension patient care center with a 30-bed capacity in this town.
 
In an interview Tuesday, Provincial Health Office (PHO) chief, Dr. Anna Ma. Teresa de Guzman
said the center called halfway house is intended for patients under investigation (PUIs) who have
tested negative for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) but needed to complete the
remaining quarantine period.
 
The center has beds with foam and beddings, bedside tables, oxygen, blood pressure apparatus,
water dispensers, television, mental health activity kits, food, hot beverages, and air conditioner,
she said.
 
“Currently, we are attending to two PUIs in the center,” she added.
 
The team managing the area is composed of two pavilion nurses on duty, one fetcher staff, one
admitting and sending staff, two ambulance drivers, one support staff and de Guzman as the
head.
 
Officers from the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police are also dispatched to secure
the area.
 
The halfway house was supported by Provincial Resolution No. 333-2020 endorsing possible
establishments of temporary holding facilities for the completion and compliance of the 14-day
quarantine period of PUIs who tested negative for Covid-19 in the province.
 
“It can be noted that Sta. Barbara halfway house, which is surrounded by trees, is strategically
located between Pangasinan Provincial Hospital and Urdaneta District Hospital,” the Provincial
Information Office said.
 
The establishment of the center was then met by opposition by the residents of this town, but the
provincial government said those who will be admitted in the center are negative of Covid-19. 
 
As of 9 a.m. April 7, Pangasinan has 29 Covid-19 cases, eight of them died while 21 are
admitted to hospitals.
 
There are a total of 92 PUIs, 10 of them have died, 35 are admitted in the hospitals while 47 have
recovered. (PNA)
 
205K indigent families in Region 1 get Covid-
19 cash aid
By Hilda Austria April 7, 2020, 9:12 pm

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CASH AID. Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries await their turn to
withdraw the emergency subsidy under the special amelioration program on Monday (April 6,
2020). The 4Ps are the first target beneficiaries to receive the cash subsidy from the national
government. (Photo courtesy of DSWD Ilocandia's Facebook page)

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan — Some 205,195 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)

households in Ilocos (Region 1) affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) received
cash assistance under the government’s social amelioration program (SAP), the Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office said.
 
In an interview Tuesday, DSWD-1 information officer Darwin Chan said each household
beneficiary got a total of PHP5,500 transmitted to their cash cards.
 
Based on the guidelines of DSWD posted on Ilocos regional office’s Facebook page, the
PHP5,500 comprised PHP4,150 SAP emergency subsidy for the month of April, in addition to
the monthly PHP750 health grant and PHP600 rice subsidy they are receiving.
 
There are a total of 19,336 beneficiaries in Ilocos Norte, 27,294 in Ilocos Sur, 30,839 in La
Union, and 127,726 in Pangasinan, comprising the whole Ilocos region.
 
Meanwhile, in a forum with the Philippine Information Agency Ilocos Region on Tuesday,
DSWD-1 regional director Marcelo Nicomedes Castillo said they are working with other
national government agencies in identifying the other beneficiaries for the SAP.
 
He said the target beneficiaries of the program include the poorest, poor, and near-poor
households.
 
“The poorest are the 4Ps households, the poor are those indigents but are still not included in the
4Ps, and the near-poor, who have income but not sufficient enough. They are the target
beneficiaries of the program,” he added.
 
Castillo said that based on the guidelines of the program, the subsidy is given per family and not
individually.
 
In the Ilocos Region, he said each household recipient will receive PHP5,500 that is based on
regional minimum wage in the region amounting to PHP340 per day.
 
He asked for cooperation and patience from the public as government agencies roll out the
program. (PNA)
Batac City hospital offers free online medical
consultation
By Michael Mugas April 9, 2020, 8:11 pm

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FREE ONLINE MEDICAL CONSULTATIONS. The Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital

and Medical Center offers free online medical consultations to Ilocanos. It provides health
services without going to the hospital to various communities amid the Covid-19 outbreak.
(Photo courtesy of MMMH&MC)

BATAC CITY—The state-run Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center
(MMMH&MC) here has stepped up efforts in reaching out to patients amid the coronavirus
disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak in the country by offering free online medical consultations
through its e-CLINIC.

Jhey-ar Mangati, Health Education and Promotions Officer of MMMH&MC, said the e-CLINIC
is an initiative which ensures that Ilocanos continue to have access to necessary and immediate
medical services without having to physically go to the hospital.

Through the e-CLINIC, patients may avail of a free medical consultation by logging in to the
Facebook Messenger application and sending a message to the Family Medicine Clinic-
MMMH&MC, where physicians from the hospital’s Department of Family and Community
Medicine shall answer their concerns.

Dr. Maria Lourdes Otayza, Medical Center Chief II of the MMMH&MC, said “incorporating the
creative use of technology in bringing closer the hospital’s health services specially in the middle
of an enhanced community quarantine is the order of the day”.

The e-CLINIC also includes free psychological and psychosocial services support services to
assist and ensure that the mental health of essential employees and front-line health workers,
patients who are under investigation and monitoring for Covid-19 as well as their watchers, and
relatives of patients experiencing mental health concerns are not compromised specially during
these times.

The Mental Health Team of the hospital can be reached through its mobile numbers 0927-152-
9030 and 0951-722-6162.

At present, there are two Covid-19 patients under the hospital’s care and both are in stable
condition. (PNA)
Dagupan opens ‘Heal as One Center’
By Liwayway Yparraguirre April 9, 2020, 5:21 pm

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PATIENT CARE CENTER. Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas (left) leads the
blessing of the Heal as One Center for patients under investigation (PUIs) and persons under
monitoring (PUMs) for coronavirus disease at the Dagupan City Astrodome Wednesday (April
8, 2020).  The center has 30 modular tents with amenities. (Photo by Liwayway Yparraguirre)

DAGUPAN CITY – The city government has established a patient care center called Heal as
One Center at the Dagupan City People’s Astrodome that is set to accommodate patients under
investigation (PUIs) and persons under monitoring (PUMs) for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-
19) from the city.
 
The center has 30 modular tents donated by Ralph Du, director of the National Dairy Authority.
 
Each tent has foam and bedding, a pale, trashcan, and a chair, while the Department of
Information and Technology (DICT) provides free Wi-Fi connection to the entire place.
 
In an interview Thursday, Dr. Ophelia Rivera, the city’s focal person on coronavirus disease
2019 (Covid-19), said they strictly followed the prescribed 1.5 meters distance from each tent.
 
They were also guided by the Philippine College of Physicians with regards to the protocols that
should be followed within the center, she said.
 
"We made sure of the distance, male and female tents are separated in a cluster. There is also an
allocation for pedia patients, which will house aged 15 years old and below. The food will be
provided by the city government, it is being coordinated with the City Nutrition Office," she
said.
 
Rivera said those who will be accommodated at the center are only the PUIs with mild cases and
PUMs who were exposed to Covid-19 cases.
 
Each team on duty will be composed of one doctor and three nurses. They will be housed in one
of the unused office spaces at the astrodome. 
 
The shifting of personnel on duty will be after five or seven days depending on the new guideline
which will come out later on, she said.
 
After their shift, the team members will be brought to a designated place where they will be on
quarantine for 14 days. 
 
The center does not yet house any PUIs or PUMs as there are still some preparations being
finalized by the city government, Rivera added.
 
Meanwhile, Mayor Marc Brian Lim assured they will provide the needs of the health workers.
 
"I assured them, the city government will provide all their needs -- PPE (personal protective
equipment), mask, face masks, disinfection, and even vehicles. We do not want our medical
front-liners getting sick,” he said.
 
Archbishop Socrates Villegas of the Lingayen-Dagupan Archdiocese led the blessing of the
city’s Heal as One Center on Wednesday. (PNA)
Ilocos Norte gets 2 new ambulances from
PCSO
By Leilanie Adriano April 9, 2020, 1:54 pm

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NEW AMBULANCES. Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc (2nd from right),
along with the heads of hospitals in the province that are recipients of the donation, witness the
arrival of the first two out of four patient transport vehicles from the Philippine Charity
Sweepstakes Office. These will be used for Covid-19-related concerns. (Photo courtesy of the
Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte)

LAOAG CITY – Two patient transport vehicles were turned over to the provincial government
of Ilocos Norte on Wednesday, courtesy of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

The two are part of the four ambulances that the PCSO pledged to the province. They will be
given to the municipalities of Piddig and Vintar to replace their old ambulances and address
concerns related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“We are grateful (to) the PCSO for granting our request. There’s no medical equipment and
instruments inside (the ambulance) so we will add what is lacking to make them a full-fledged
ambulance," Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc said in an interview.
Manotoc added that they are expecting two more units from the PCSO soon.

As mandated by Executive Order 357, a 5 percent share from the 30 percent Lotto Charity Fund
goes to local government units where lotto tickets are sold. The accumulated fund is used by the
PCSO to purchase ambulances and other medical equipment needed by government hospitals,
including medical and financial assistance for people in need. (PNA)
Stranded students get cash aid
By Reynaldo Andres April 9, 2020, 11:12 am

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CASH AID. Stranded students in dormitories of state-run Mariano Marcos State University
(MMSU) in Batac City receive cash gifts of PHP500 each on Wednesday (April 8, 2020). The
amount came from donations of university faculty and personnel. (Photo courtesy of MMSU
Office of Student Affairs)

BATAC CITY – At least 114 students of state-run Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU)
here who are stranded in boarding houses and dormitories because of the Luzon-wide enhanced
community quarantine (ECQ) each received PHP500 cash on Wednesday (April 8) to help them
cope with basic necessities.

The amount, totaling PHP57,000, came from the donations of the faculty members from the
College of Arts and Sciences and College of Engineering who expressed commitment to support
the university’s “Saranay” program.

The “Saranay,” an Ilokano term which means a hearty system of helping others, is part of the
university’s bayanihan effort to help individuals and groups cope with the effects of the
coronavirus disease.
The money was given to the students through the Office of Student Affairs and Services (OSAS)
headed by Dr. Elizabeth Marfel Gagni.

“This activity is part of the “bayanihan” effort so that students are provided with financial
allowance to help them cope with their daily needs this week,” said OSAS Director Elizabeth
Marfel Gagni, adding that university’s supplier of goods had no more available stocks due to
rising demands.

Since the start of the Luzon-wide ECQ on March 16, the university has been closely monitoring
its students who are stranded in boarding houses and dormitories.

Last March 26, the OSAS, through the university's student council launched a food rationing
program to help its students and front-liners.

The food packs contained rice, antimicrobial soap, potable drinking water, assorted vegetables,
canned goods, and noodles.

Last Tuesday, MMSU officials joined the “Saranay” program and launched a fund-raising
campaign among their staff to help provide the stranded students with their basic needs.

Aside from food rationing and financial assistance, online counseling services and psychosocial
support are also available for distressed students. (PNA)
Wearing of face masks mandatory in
Pangasinan
By Jerick James Pasiliao April 13, 2020, 7:41 pm

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MANDATORY. Residents in Calasiao town wear face masks while waiting for their turn to
enter an establishment on April 13, 2020. Provincial Ordinance No. 235-2020 requires every
person in Pangasinan to wear a face mask at all times when going outside of their residence, at
the workplace, when entering government buildings and offices, and while in public places.
Violators face penalties. (Photo courtesy of Enzo Navalta Austria)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- Residents in Pangasinan are now mandated to wear face masks in public
places to avoid the further spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the province.

The order was enacted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board), through an ordinance
authored by committee on health chairperson Board Member Jeremy Agerico Rosario,  during its online
special session on April 8.

“Every person is required to wear a face mask at all times when going outside of their residence, at the
workplace, when entering government buildings and offices and while in public places," it said.

In section 3 of the ordinance, a face mask is defined as any reusable or disposable item made of cloth or
any breathable material worn over the nose, mouth, and chin that can serve as a protection or barrier
against possible infection from Covid-19.

“These shall include surgical masks, cloth masks, handkerchiefs, washable masks, N95 masks, among
others,” the ordinance reads.

 
Violators of the ordinance will be meted with corresponding penalties.

"For the first offense, the offender shall attend community service or awareness campaigns on Covid-19
for at least three hours as conducted by the barangays and other local government offices. For the
second offense, the offender shall be monitored and strictly prohibited from leaving his or her residence
during the remaining period of the enhanced community quarantine or any extension thereof, except
for an emergency medical situation or when in imminent danger," it stated.

Meanwhile, the approved ordinance will be followed during the Luzon-wide enhanced community
quarantine and/or if there is continuing local or community transmission of the virus within Pangasinan.

Private commercial businesses that are operating in the province were advised to post the full copy of
the ordinance within their establishments.

"All private commercial establishments operating in the province of Pangasinan shall conspicuously
display at or near the entrance of the establishment a full copy of this Ordinance, and strictly prohibit
entry of any person who is not wearing a face mask or an equivalent thereof in the establishment," it
added.

As of 9 a.m. April 13, Pangasinan recorded 33 Covid-19 positive cases wherein seven have recovered, 17
are still admitted at different hospitals, while nine have died. (PNA)

First 2 patients recover; no new Covid-19

cases in Ilocos Norte
By Leilanie Adriano April 12, 2020, 12:33 pm

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COVID-19 REPORT. Graphics report from Task Force Salun-at as of Saturday (April 11,
2020) shows the first two positive coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patients in Ilocos Norte have
recovered. The province has no new confirmed Covid-19 cases for the last 11 days. (Image
courtesy of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte)

LAOAG CITY – The first two positive cases of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in Ilocos
Norte have recovered and ready to be discharged, the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and
Medical Center (MMMH&MC) in Batac City said on Saturday.

“Today, we are pleased to inform the public that the said two confirmed Covid-19 patients have
already recovered and met the discharge criteria set by the Department of Health (DOH),” the
MMMH&MC said in a statement posted on a Facebook page on Saturday night.

The hospital added that the two patients are asymptomatic, in stable condition, and had two
consecutive sets of negative test results from Covid-19 as released by Baguio General Hospital
and Medical Center.

Dr. Marie Joyce Urnos-Santos, Infectious Disease Specialist of the MMMH&MC, however, said
the two patients still need to undergo 14-day self-quarantine at home after discharged.

The MMMH&MC advised the public not to discriminate the recovered and discharged Covid-19
survivors as they pose no threat to the community after they tested negative twice for Covid-19.

The front-liners turned more restless while some residents became paranoid after the
MMMH&MC confirmed on March 31 that the two middle-age male persons from Sundagan,
Paoay and Magnuang, Batac City tested positive for the dreaded Covid-19.

Santos reminded the public to cooperate with health authorities and continue practicing proper
hand hygiene, observe personal distancing, and avoid going out if not necessary.
Ilocos Norte has no new positive Covid-19 cases for the last 11 days, according to the province’s
Task Force Salun-at (Health).

The number of probable persons under monitoring (PUM) also went down to 481 while a total of
11,146 individuals have completed their mandatory 14-day home quarantine, it added.

Task force Salun-at is headed by Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc and composed of
MMMH&MC, Governor Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital, PGIN-Provincial Health
Office, and component city and municipal health offices. (PNA)
 Pangasinan’s Five COVID-19 patients recover, PHO says
 
The Province of Pangasinan recorded five coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
recoveries who tested negative of the deadly virus, according to the regular update of
the Provincial Health Office (PHO) on April 8 (7 PM).
 
The first COVID-19 survivor is a 50-year-old female nurse who lives in Malasiqui. She
was discharged at the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (PPH) on April 7.
 
It was noted that the first survivor recovered from pneumonia following a negative result
of her repeat COVID-19 real-time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). She was admitted
at PPH on March 16.
 
The second recovery is a 68-year-old male from Pozorrubio who has a travel history to
the United States. He was admitted at the Medical City - Ortigas in Pasig City on March
14 and was also discharged when he tested negative of the virus.
 
The third is a 75-year-old female from Bayambang who was admitted at the Region 1
Medical Center in Dagupan City on March 13. Her possible exposure to COVID-19 was
in Manila.
 
The fourth survivor is a 70-year-old male from Rosales who also has travel history to the
United States. He was confined at the Urdaneta District Hospital on March 24 and
discharged after testing negative for COVID-19.
 
The fifth patient who recovered is a 29-year old male from Urdaneta City who has travel
history to Japan. He was admitted on March 10 at R1MC.
 
Based on the regular COVID-19 updates collated by the PHO from City and Municipal
Health Offices, the province registered a total of 31 COVID-19 positive cases with 5
recoveries, 17 confined patients and 9 deaths as of the 7 pm update of April 8.
 
On the number of Patients Under Investigation (PUIs), the province has a total of 47
recoveries, 43 confined patients and 10 deaths for a total of 100 PUIs in Pangasinan.
 
The first batch of recoveries from COVID-19 in Pangasinan came one after the other at
the start of the Holy Week.
 
/Shiella Mae C. De Guzman
La Union records first COVID-19  case
recovery
By Joanne Namnama P. Dilim Published on April 11, 2020

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AGOO, La Union, April 11 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) Region 1 on Friday
reported that a Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) case in this town had recovered from the
disease, the fist recovery recorded in La Union province.

The DOH Region 1 identified the recovered patient as RGN – 21, a 50-year-old female from
Barangay Santa Ana, who tested negative of COVID-19 twice this April.

She is one of the two confirmed cases from Agoo town.

           

The patient was confirmed to have been infected with the virus on March 31. She was admitted
at the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC), a DOH-accredited hospital in San
Fernando City,  on April 1.

The patient’s first negative swab test result was released on April 4 and another confirmatory
negative result released on April 10.  As a protocol, a COVID-19 patient shall be declared
recovered if he or she tested negative twice for the virus.

Hence, she was discharged from the ITRMC on April 10 after ensuring that she is well and free
from the virus.

 
Personnel of DOH Region 1 and ITRMC send off the first recovery case in the province on April
10, 2020. (Photo courtesy of Medical Officer IV Rheuel C. Bobis of DOH Region 1) 

Following this, Mayor Stefanie Ann Y. Eriguel issued an official statement on Saturday, April
11, confirming the good news to her constituents.

“It is with extreme gladness that I wish to inform everyone that our confirmed positive COVID-
19 patient has willfully overcome the battle against the deadly Coronavirus,” Eriguel said.

She added, “May the strong determination, courage, and faith manifested by our province’s first
COVID-19 survivor inspire and unite us during these difficult times.”
 

For his part, La Union Governor Francisco Emmanuel R. Ortega III also welcomes the
affirmative development in the COVID-19 situation in the province.  

“Indeed our first recovered patient is a testament as to what unity and solidarity can do,” adding
that it is a big win for the province.

He, however, reminded the people of La Union to do their part by staying at home and heed the
advisories of the government as “we still have a long way to go.”

As of 5 p.m. of April 11, the DOH Region 1 records 13 COVID-19 cases in La Union. This
includes the first recovered case, six admitted cases, four deaths, and two cases under home
quarantine.

Meanwhile, Medical Officer IV Rheuel C. Bobis, COVID-19 focal person of the DOH Region 1,
recognizes the frontline workers who are leading the fight against the pandemic which is
contributory to the first recovered case in the province and fifth in whole Region 1.

“Because of your compassion and dedication to serve, we now have five patients who have
recovered from COVID-19. Maraming salamat po!,” expressed Bobis. (JCR/JND, PIA La
Union)
Pangasinan media receive IATF ID
By Venus May H. Sarmiento Published on April 10, 2020

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DAGUPAN CITY, April 10 (PIA) -- The Philippine Information Agency (PIA), through its
provincial information centers in Region I, had released the  identification cards issued by the
Inter-Agency Task Force( IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases for private media entities.

Regional Director Jennilyne Role of PIA in the Ilocos region reiterated the responsible and
judicious use of the IATF IDs to media personnel that this card should be used according to its
purpose.

“The government  has accredited the media with full trust and confidence that such IATF ID will
be used relative to their tasks as communicators  responsible for data gathering and information
dissemination during this present period of quarantine,” Role said during the radio interview over
I-FM-Dagupan.

 
 IA
TF IDs. Media personalities in Pangasinan receive their identification cards issued by the Inter-
Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases for media entities released through
the Philippine information Agency. (VHS/PIA Pangasinan) 

Under the law covering the enhanced community quarantine being implemented in Luzon, media
personalities are part of the Authorized Persons Outside Residence. They should, however, be
able to present an IATF ID at checkpoints manned by policemen, according to Cabinet Secretary
Karlo Nogales.

The National Information Bureau (NIB) directly under the Presidential Communications
Operations Office (PCOO) is tasked to issue such ID.

However, due to time  constraints and the influx of application from media identities in the
National Capital Region, PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar wrote a letter to Philippine National
Police Chief Gen. Archie Gamboa to request policemen to honor the existing company media ID
of press people outside the NCR while the IATF IDs are still on process.

 
NIB remained true to its promise of laying out all ID applications outside NCR until April 4,
2020. 

In Pangasinan, some  200 media personalities from four television and cable outlets, 12 radio
stations, and 13 print media who applied for the IDs received their cards which were released by
the PIA on April 6. 

Director Role said the national IATF has initially given a guideline that only 50 percent of the
media outlet’s manpower representing their skeleton force will be given the media pass. Those
who applied after the given period of submission were no longer accommodated.

“Pakiusap ko sa ating mga kasamahang  media dito sa Region I, gamitin po natin ng tama ang
mga ID na ipinagkatiwlaa sa atin ng gobyerno para maiparating sa mga kababayan natin ang
mga nangyayari sa ating kapaligiran. Any violation on the very purpose of the issuance of IATF
IDs will  be dealt with accordingly by law,” Role explained.

The PIA Director added that the government is also  bent on ending fake news especially about
the coronavirus. She urged the public to verify from authorities any information that they receive
before these are shared to others. (JCR/JND/VHS, PIA Pangasinan)
TESDA distributes face masks, food packs to
COVID-19 frontliners
By Ma. Joreina Therese A. Blanco Published on April 10, 2020

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LAOAG CITY, April 10 (PIA) – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA) in Ilocos Norte gives support and technical assistance to workers who are in the
frontline of mitigating the spread of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

As of April 6, a total of 1,765 masks are produced and distributed to the workers in the frontline
agencies, checkpoints, and hospitals.

Aside from face masks, TESDA also provided snacks, bottled waters, and fruits to the frontline
workers.
TESDA CARES. TESDA-Ilocos Norte distributes face masks and food packs to the frontliners
as enhanced community quarantine is still in place in the entire Luzon. (photo by TESDA)

Some of the recipients are Barangays Casili, San Mateo, San Matias in Laoag City; Governor
Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital (GRBASMH); Laoag City General Hospital; city
government of Laoag; municipal governments of Burgos, Pasuquin, and Bacarra; Laoag City
Police Station; Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP); Laoag City Commercial Complex; and others.

Although they were able to provide washable face masks to the frontliners, TESDA determines
to produce more.

 
According to Abigail Siano, Senior TESDA Specialist, they are engaging the people to take part
in their assistance by donating materials for the production of face masks.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) production is also now in the works in TESDA.

“We are still open for donations ng tela and face shield materials. We are into PPE production na
rin,” Siano said.

As the country continues to control the spread of the viral disease, TESDA remains to help the
frontline workers with their resources and with the contribution of private individuals.

“We in TESDA are very supportive to the government programs and activities for this ECQ
(Enhanced Community Quarantine) due to COVID 19. We earnestly recognize the services and
sacrifices that our frontliners are extending to our province. We know that behind those
facemasks are heroic smiles of fulfilment and satisfaction in the performance of their duties and
responsibilities for the nation,” Carlos Carizal, TESDA OIC Provincial Director, stated.
(JCR/AMB/MJTAB, PIA Ilocos Norte)
DAR helps farmers market products for
relief packs
By Venus May H. Sarmiento Published on April 10, 2020

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URDANETA CITY, April 10 (PIA) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in

Pangasinan supports its beneficiaries in the present crisis by helping market their produce to the
local government  units (LGUs) that use the rice products for the relief packs distritbuted to
barangays.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Maria Ana B. Francisco said her office has been in
constant contact with the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) to be informed
on their activities and be given immediate actions when they need support and assistance.

“In several towns, collective marketing under the LINKSFARMM project were done wherein
their produce were bought by the LGUs which, in turn, were  given as an additional relief in the
foodspacks distributed and this was a big help to the farmers,” Francisco told the Philippine
Information Agency.

LINKSFARMM is a DAR project which means Linking Small Farmers to Market and
Microfinance. Officers and members of the Bayanihan Hundred Islands Agrarian Reform
Cooperative (BHIARC) in Alaminos City and the Rang-ay Upland integrated Farmers
Association Inc. in Dacap Norte, Bani town were the first to avail of the DAR intervention.

Other farm produce of vegetables and fruits such as eggplants, string beans, corn red pepper,
pechay, kamote tops, peanut, mongo, ampalaya and water melon of the farmers have also been
disposed thereby giving assurance to the farmers that they will be paid and their effort in the
field will not be in vain, Francisco said.

 
In spite of the struggling ARBOs in Pangasinan, who themselves are also affected by this
pandemic, Francisco revealed that in their own little way, they were able to gave assistance to
their members by distributing relief goods no matter how simple and small they were.

“The ARBOs also gave assistance to the front liners in their respective places by providing them
relief goods and simple snacks to show their appreciation and deep concern to these individuals
risking their lives amidst the crisis,” Francisco added.

The Lambayan Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Mapandan town, for instance, has distributed five
kilograms of rice to each of its 621 members. The other 58 members who were far away will be
given the equivalent amount of five kgs. rice through their savings account or share capital.
(JCR/JND/VHS, PIA Pangasinan) 
Ilocos Sur guv to buy COVID-19 rapid test
kits
By April M. Bravo Published on April 9, 2020

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ILOCOS SUR, Apr. 9 (PIA) – Governor Ryan Luis Singson ordered the purchase of Food and
Drug Administration (FDA)-approved test kits to immediately determine which ones among the
persons under investigation (PUIs) and those under monitoring (PUMs) are actually positive of
the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
 
“With our desire and continued efforts to contain the COVID-19 in the province, I, guided by the
medical experts from the Provincial Health Office, ordered the purchase of FDA-approved rapid
test kits from my own salary in order to start testing PUIs and their contacts right away,” Singson
said in an announcement that comprised his regular update on the COVID-19 status and the
government response in the province.
 
The Governor noted that the current turnaround time for COVID-19 testing from government-
approved laboratories is from five to 12 days.
 
“Time is very important and the longer we wait, the more individuals may contract the infection.
Thus, we have to design plan in order to take two steps forward in our attempt to combat this
deadly virus,” he said.
 
He added, “The waiting time for the results to be issued is quite long. The condition of the PUI
may worsen or even result to death prior to the issuance of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
result as no appropriate medical treatment is given because the attending doctor is not certain
that the patient may already be positive with COVID-19.”.
 
Further, it highly exposes family and household members of these PUMs or PUIs along with
health workers to possibly COVID-19 affected individuals.
 
This situation can be at least prevented if the result of a COVID-19 test is known in just a few
minutes, which is possible by using an antibody rapid screening test kit.
 
“With this, our health personnel will have an initial determination whether the PUI or the PUM
is probably COVID-19 positive so that said patient can be placed in isolation where he will have
no contact with any individual except the attending doctors and health workers in charge who are
properly protected,” said Singson.
 
The Provincial Inter Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging and Re-Emerging
Infectious Diseases is convinced that isolation of PUMs or PUIs will surely contain the exposure
of other people to the virus and prevent transmission of the same.
 
“While doubts as to its accuracy may arise, the rapid screening test will only be used as a
preliminary assessment tool and the official Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM)
result will remain to be the confirmatory test. This is to ensure alignment with the directives of
the Department of Health which is to rely on the PCR test in detecting the COVID-19,” he said.
 
In the same announcement made on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Gov. Singson revealed that
the province received four test results which all yielded negative for COVID-19 while 13 more
tests are still pending.
 
The confirmed positive case remains one and is efficiently contained in the community.
 
“She is now physically well and free of symptoms, but her latest swab test collected on April 1
still detected with presence of the virus. Hence, Barangay Magsaysay in Tagudin town shall
remain on lockdown until April 14 or until further announced,” he said.
 
Based on today’s 10a.m. update of the Inter-Agency Task Force of the province, there are 10
PUIs currently admitted in the different facilities while there are 2,276 PUMs recorded.
 
Meanwhile, he reiterated his order for his constituents to stay at home, to listen to the advice of
the government and health officials, and to truthfully declare their medical history and condition
whenever necessary. (JCR/AMB/PIA Ilocos Sur)
Alaminos City gov't to give agri-fishery
products as COVID-19 relief
By Elsha Marie B. Soriano-Arguel Published on April 8, 2020

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ALAMINOS CITY, April 7 (PIA) - Residents in this city will not receive the usual relief packs
as the City Government of Alaminos bought agri-fishery products from its local producers to
help them and its constituents cope from the effects of health crisis due to the coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. 

Alaminos City Mayor Arth Bryan Celeste said some 30,000 households in the city will receive
kilos of rice, fruits, and either pork, longganisa or bangus for the second wave of relief
distribution that started on April 6.

“Bumili po ang lokal na pamahalaan ng mga produktong lokal dito sa ating bayan bilang tulong
sa ating farmers, longganisa makers, hog raisers at bangus growers na ipapamahagi bilang tulong
pagkain sa mga mamamayan sa bayan ng Alaminos,” said Celeste.

He disclosed that on the first distribution of relief packs, the city government gave away rice,
watermelon, canned goods, and vegetables to help vegetable farmers as well.

“Ngayon (second distribution) since wala na po kaming supply ng canned goods, ang
ipinamimigay po namin ay isang kilo ng baboy, kung walang baboy, bangus o longganisa
naman,” he said.

Likewise, in an interview with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte during the Laging Handa
Network Briefing of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), Duterte said
city government of Davao also buys fish and vegetables from small farmers and fishermen and
repacks and distributes them to beneficiaries.
 

The Network Briefing, which airs daily from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Radyo Pilipinas and can also be
viewed at the Philippine Information Agency’s regional and provincial Facebook pages around
the country is hosted by PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar. 

The briefing aims to bring provincial and city-level LGUs and local management entities outside
of Metro Manila, together with relevant national government agencies and their officials, in a
radio oriented digitally-driven platform, with the objectives of delivering and drawing from each
other necessary information that needs to be relayed to the people, to their local governments,
and to the national government. (JCR//JNPD/EMSA, PIA Pangasinan)
DOT assists stranded tourists in Ilocos
Region
By Jomar T. Quinit Published on April 7, 2020

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SAN FERNANDO CITY, Apr. 7 (PIA) – The Department of Tourism (DOT) in the Ilocos has
assisted a total of 197 tourists in the region to return back to their respective hometowns and
countries as they were stranded due to the implementation of the Luzon-wide enhance
community quarantine.
 
A total of 166 foreigners and 31 Filipinos have been successfully assisted by the DOT in the
Ilocos as of April 6, 2020.
 
Sixty-one foreign tourists, mostly Canadians, have successfully traveled back to their respective
countries while 77 are still currently being assisted by DOT personnel.
 
Of the 77 ongoing assistance, there are 66 who are still on rebooking process while 11 are
waiting for their scheduled departures.
 
Further, 39 of the 166 foreigners decided to stay and opted to return home when the enhance
community quarantine is lifted.
 
On the other hand, 13 domestic tourists were able to leave while seven are still in the region.
 
Tourists who sought help from DOT were provided assistance and guidance on rebooking and
coordinating for rescue flights with the help of the Region 1 Travel and Tour Agencies
Association.
 
Free transportation to airports and support in securing necessary clearances and documents were
also done in close coordination with the respective provincial and local government units where
tourists can secure health certificates prior to leaving their point of origin.
 
Requests and inquiries from the stranded visitors were promptly acted upon by DOT in the
Ilocos through its COVID-19 Tourist Assistance Online Help Desk.
 
For tourists needing assistance from DOT in the Ilocos, they can send a message to the help desk
which can be accessed at: www.dotregion1.com.
 
Local residents are also encouraged to report to DOT the names and locations of stranded
travelers needing help.
 
DOT can also be reached through their Facebook page: Department of Tourism Region 1 or
through cellphone numbers: 0905-353-8880 and 0918-596-2408. (JCR/AMB/JTQ/PIA-1)
Pangasinan marks 440th founding day
By Venus May H. Sarmiento Published on April 6, 2020

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LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Apr. 5 (PIA) - Pangasinan marks today its 440th founding anniversary
dubbed "Agew na Pangasinan," minus the usual revelry that highlights the celebration.

Even as the province is under extreme enhanced community quarantine, Gov. Amado Espino III
called on every Pangasinense to continue to display their greatness, unity and selfless sacrifice.

“Sa harap ng panibagong hamon hindi lamang sa ating lalawigan kundi sa boung mundo, tayo
ay muling tinatawagan na magkaisa, magtulungan, at magsakripisyo upang mapagtagumpayan
natin ang laban kontra COVID-19,” Espino said in a statement.

Espino advised his provincemates to stay indoors and practice proper hygiene adding that the
people’s homes are their best weapons in the fight against the pandemic.

“Ipanalo natin ang laban sa ating mga sariling tahanan at siguradong maipapanalo natin ang
giyera para sa ating lalawigan,” Espino said.

On a regular basis, Agew na Pangasinan is celebrated with various activities throughout the
province that highlight the Pangasinan language, its culture and heritage. (AMB/VHS/PIA
Pangasinan)
‘Plants vs COVID-19’ rolled out in La Union
to maintain food supply
By Joanne Namnama P. Dilim Published on April 12, 2020

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SAN FERNANDO CITY, April 12 (PIA) – La Union residents will start receiving survival seed
packs as the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) launched “Plants vs COVID-19”
program on April 11.

Myrna Picazo,  assistant provincial agriculturist and program coordinator, said this innovation
aims to provide survival seed pack for backyard gardening to the households of the province.

“We hope to provide additional food source to our residents during the COVID-19 crisis,” said
Picazo.

She informed that a total of 4,000 households shall initially benefit from the program.

Two hundred households will be accommodated for each from the 20 component local
government units (LGUs) in La Union.

“First come, first served basis shall be observed,” Picazo said, adding that only one seed pack
shall be given to each household.

Available survival seed packs to choose from are ampalaya, kamatis, patola, talong, kangkong,
upo, and pechay.

 
Interested individuals are advised to coordinate with their respective city or municipal
agriculturist and provide relevant information about themselves and their household.   

Those who are part of the first 200 on the list per LGU shall wait their seed pack after all the
registrations have been completed. It is expected that the PGLU will start on the distribution to
registered beneficiaries on April 13.  

In order to attain the success of the program, Picazo said the city/municipal agriculturist will
provide a program briefer to each recipient upon distribution per household.

The recipients will also be oriented on the proper planting of the seed pack they selected.   

“Their respective agriculturist will briefly discuss and clarify concerns of the individuals to
ensure successful planting of the seeds,” the program coordinator said.

As part of the monitoring and evaluation, each household is expected to take a photo of their
backyard garden, before and after harvest, and post it on Facebook using the hashtag
#PGLUPlantsVSCOVID19.

Meanwhile in the province of Cebu, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia shared one of their programs
amid the COVID-19 pandemic which is related to vegetable gardening.

Dubbed as SugBusog vegetable gardening competition, Garcia shared that just like in La Union,
their provincial government also gives out free seeds for vegetables. The only difference is that,
theirs is a competition to encourage the participation of their residents.

“We have seen while in enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) that most, if not all, are just at
home, to be productive while under ECQ,” Garcia said during her recent guesting at the Laging
Handa Network Briefing.
 

Both the Plants vs COVID-19 and SugBusog vegetable gardening competition of the provinces
of La Union and Cebu, respectively are anchored on the Department of Agriculture’s program
called Urban Agriculture which aims to plant vegetables and fruits using all available spaces in
barangays, villages, rooftops, and vertical farming.

“We can work together to ensure household food security,” said Agriculture Secretary William
Dar, who also served as a guest on the said Network Briefing.

Laging Handa Network Briefing, a radio oriented digitally-driven platform, is initiated by the
Philippine Information Agency and hosted by Presidential Communications Operations Office
(PCOO) Secretary Ruperto Martin Andanar. It is aired daily over Radyo Pilipinas and shared in
all Facebook pages of PCOO bureaus.  (JCR/JND, PIA La Union)