Infrastructure, Politics, and Lifestyle

Agricultural Scientist, Dr. Nelly Aggangan’s achievement in the development of cheap, easy and environment friendly biofertilizer named Mykovam that contributed to the advancement and promotion of our country’s agricultural sector led her to attain the most prestigious “Father Jose Burgos Award” given by the provincial government. Aggangan finished her Doctor of Philosophy in Forest Biotechnology at Murdoch University in Australia and her research earned recognition as 2016 Gawad Saka Outstanding Agricultural Scientist in regional and national level. The biofertilizer she had introduced contains different strains and species of fungi that can partially or totally replace chemical fertilizers. This has been adopted by farmers in the country. Governor Ryan Singson together with Vice Gov.Jerry Singson and members of the Provincial Board conferred the Father Jose Burgos Award to Dr. Nelly Aggangan and to the seven other awardees who include Dr. Solita Evangeline Soliven Banez who earned numerous awards and recognition as Most Outstanding Researcher in the Philippines and in international settings; Dr. Edelyn Cadorna, whose most notable achievement is an Outstanding Researcher of the Philippines Award and Best Abstract Award in 2015 by the International Association of Multidisciplinary Research; and Atty. Estrella “Star” Singson Querubin who became the first beauty Queen lawyer which she successfully depicted when she won the title Mutya ng Pilipinas – World 1989 and admitted to the Bar in 1999. Special awards were also conferred to Mrs. Grace Cardona, Municipal Agriculturist of Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur and Mr. Diosdado Mendoza Jr., Municipal Corn Program Coordinator of the same municipality for garnering a Hall of Fame Award as Outstanding Municipal Agriculturist and Municipal Corn Program Coordinator respectively for their outstanding extension services towards the production of quality corn; Benedict Verbo for his works of art exhibited with various group exhibitions in local, national and international setting: and the youngest awardee, Mecel Angela Gadut, an Elementary Pupil and a pride of Candon City and Province of Ilocos Sur who triumphantly brought home a Silver Medal in the 12th Asian Schools Chess Chmapionship, Category “U7 Girls” Standard Section, held in Teran, Iran in July 9-19, 2016. They also received ten thousand pesos each from the provincial government. Governor Singson said that this year’s awardees were Ilocos Surians who have excelled in their field of expertise and whose achievements will continue to inspire the people of the province. The Father Jose Burgos Award is the most prestigious award given to residents- achievers of the Province of Ilocos Sur. The conferment of this award is one of the main highlights of the Kannawidan Ylocos Festival that commemorates the foundation day of Ilocos Sur as separate province by virtue of a Spanish Royal Decree in February 2, 1818.

The Ilocos Sur Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) bagged the first place Gawad KALASAG award regional level from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) for the year 2016 in Region 1 held at Owesome Hotel, San Juan, La union on Dec. 2, 2016. ISPDRRMC is the sole awardee in the provincial category. They are now qualified for the National Gawad KALASAG award. Gawad KALASAG or “Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan,” is the country’s premier annual award given to recognize the outstanding contributions in the field of disaster risk reduction management and humanitarian action. It aims to appreciate individuals, groups or institutions which have shown extraordinary courage, heroism and sacrifice in time of emergencies be it in natural or human-induced calamities. Governor Ryan Singson recognizes the rescuers and volunteers in the province for their sacrifices and sleepless night during calamities. “They are our front liners during calamities. They need to leave their families in times of danger just to keep the province free from casualties.” Gov. Ryan stated. Aside from equipping the PDRRMC thru the purchase of recue facilities during his first year in the service, Gov. Ryan initiated trainings for the rescuers and volunteers to make them more efficient. He keeps on encouraging the municipalities to duplicate the same initiative in their own localities to strengthen disaster response and risk management Michael Chan, PDRRMC Officer personally received the award. “This is the first time that our province joined the search for Gawad KALASAG and we are honored for garnering the award. This serves as our inspiration in performing our duties even if our lives are at risks. This award is more worthy than money” Mr. Chan expressed.

Drive by the massive campaign against illegal drugs, Gov. Ryan Luis Singson initiated surprise drug testing among the employees of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur. Governor Ryan called for an emergency meeting for all employees of Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur to conduct a surprise drug test. Gov. Ryan was the first in the line followed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members. During the activity, the Provincial Capitol Hall was guarded by policemen to assure that no one can escape the test. Those who will turn out positive of drugs will be immediately terminated from their positions. “We should uphold the public trust and govt. officials should be the role model. If someone turned positive in this drug test, he will be immediately dismissed. It’s too late now for them to surrender.” Gov. Ryan insisted. In a grateful manner, PGIS employees complied and submitted themselves in drug testing. This is to show their sincere support for the government’s tough campaign against illegal drugs. Meanwhile, Gov Ryan directed all Municipal Mayors to do the same in their own municipalities on July 15, 2016. The activity aims to eradicated and free the province from illegal drugs in support to the movement of the National Government.

July 15, 2016 – The Municipal Mayors and ABC presidents in all municipalities of Ilocos Sur submitted themselves to drug testing held at the governor’s office, provincial capitol in Vigan City in response to the invitation of Governor Ryan Singson. A surprise drug testing was earlier held where all provincial officials and employees undergone the said test. This time, Governor Ryan wanted to ensure that elected municipal officials are drug-free and they set an example in their own areas. The activity was initiated in support of the provincial government in the strong campaign against illegal drugs of the Duterte administration. “We would like to assure our constituents that our province is a drug-free place and the leaders are their role models. Whoever turns out positive in this drug test will face administrative sanctions and may lead to their dismissal.” Gov. Ryan said. The Local Chief Executives strongly support the anti-drug campaign. One among the first batch who responded to the invitation of the governor is the youngest Municipal Mayor, Josh Cobangbang of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur. “I hope that this will pave a way to transparency regarding our health and of course we have to assure everyone that everybody who is in elected position in the government should lead by example” Mayor Josh Cobangbang said. The municipal officials are expected to do the same in their localities to ensure that .all in the government positions are clean and drug-free.

Governor Ryan Luis Singson was elected president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) during the first regular assembly and election of officers of the provincial chief executives held in Manila on July 24, 2016. With the objective to work hand in hand with the national government for clean and transparent governance and a quest towards federalism, the governor-members voted Governor Singson to head the league together with the new set of officers among them are Gov. Al Francis C. Bichara of Albay as Chairman, Gov. Antonio Rafael G. Del Rosario of Davao del Norte as Executive Vice-President and Gov. Edgardo M. Chatto of Bohol and Gov. Junie E. Cua as Secretary-Generals. Other Elected LPP officers are Gov. David C. Suarez of Quezon Province, Gov. Roel R. Degamo of Negros Oriental, and Gov. Adolph Edward G. Plaza of Agusan del Sur as Vice President for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao respectively; Gov. Imee R. Marcos of Ilocos Norte as Deputy Secretary-General for Luzon; Gov. Zaldy S. Villa of Siquijor as Deputy Secretary-General for Visayas; Gov. Imelda Q. Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte as Deputy Secretary-General for Mindanao. Gov. Herminia M. Ramiro of Misamis Occidental was elected as Treasurer while Gov. Susan A. Yap of Tarlac is the Assistant Treasurer and Gov. Maria Jocelyn V. Bernos of Abra is the elected Auditor. Singson said that LLP will fully support the national government in implementation of the key programs especially in the fight against illegal drugs and corruption and increasing economic growth through setting up of economic zones. With the LPP, the provinces may share to other members their different programs and practices in order to help one another. “The LP will visit each province to see the best practices that we can share to and may adopt by the other provinces. In this way, we all move forward together”, Gov. Ryan Added. The LPP also assures a strong partnership with the national government in the campaign towards federalism form of government.