Ilocos Region updates

Seeking to enhance the firefighting capabilities and response readiness in Ilocos Norte, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) this week turned 11 newly-acquired fire trucks over to the province.

Bacarra, Badoc, Bangui, Currimao, Paoay, Pasuquin, Piddig, Sarrat, Vintar, and the cities of Batac and Laoag received the new firefighting vehicles. 

"These fire trucks will undoubtedly bolster our firefighting capabilities.  Prevention remains to be the first defense against fire hazards," Chief Superintendent Leonida Gumanab-Rosales, Regional Director of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Region 1 beamed.

Over the past months, Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc has been closely coordinating with DILG and BFP in assessing the capacity of Ilocos Norte’s component Local Government Units, requesting the provision of fire trucks to priority towns. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

"It is time to give back (to my home province)," physician Aira Cassanda Castro, this year’s Physician Licensure Examination (PLE) topnotcher getting 89 percent promised being a scholar of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte’s (PGIN) Doctor of Medicine Scholarship Program.

Making history as the first medicine graduate from the Mariano Marcos State University College of Medicine (MMSU-COM) topping the medical board examination,  Castro promises to teach at the MMSU College of Medicine “to train the younger generation of Ilocano doctors.”

A consistent academic achiever from primary level until medical school, she was the valedictorian of her high school and grade school. In 2017, she graduated summa cum laude from the MMSU College of Arts and Sciences' BS Biology program.

She enrolled in the Doctor of Medicine program at MMSU, where she graduated cum laude and valedictorian in 2021. -- The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

The "Libreng Sakay" program of the Ilocos Norte provincial government will continue this year,  it says, as the the Metro Ilocos Norte Council (MINC) led the distribution of “free ride” stubs at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena Wednesday.

A total of 780 recipients, composed of indigent students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities from Laoag City and San Nicolas, Bacarra, and Sarrat towns received 10 stubs, worth P500.

The "Libreng Sakay" program introduced by Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc began in 2020 to provide free transport services to medical workers, bank employees, grocery store employees, and other front-liners during the height of the pandemic. -- The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

Over 300 Ilokano entrepreneurs received recovery assistance packages from the Ilocos Norte provincial government.

Through the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Office, the distribution of “COVID-19 Recovery Assistance” and “Mataginayon a Progreso Assistance” to over 300 Ilokano entrepreneurs was held at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena on January 5.

At least 298 sari-sari store owners from the towns of Nueva Era, Adams, Pinili, Marcos, Pagudpud, and Currimao received P3,000 worth of groceries, while 30 received P3,000 in cash from the “Mataginayon a Progreso” assistance program. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

National Bureau of Investigation-Ilocos Region (NBI-IRO) agents were deputized by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau  (MGB) as environment and natural resources officers (DENROs).

Thus, portending things to come with illegal mining operations including illegal quarrying activities all over the Ilocos region soon. 

NBI-Ilocos Region assistant regional director Lawyer Hazel Roxas said, reports to them abound about illegal mining and quarrying operations all over the Ilocos region, but could not “motu propio” probe and file cases against these activities and their operators, prompting them to seek deputization as DENRO’s as cited in section 9 of Republic Act 7942 (Philippine Mining Act of 1995). -- The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

Residents of the province of Ilocos Norte are assured of enough pork supply for the Christmas holidays as hog raisers slowly recover from African swine fever.

In an interview Sunday, provincial veterinarian Dr. Loida Valenzuela said the province has more than enough supply of pork and other meat products.

"Our livestock situation in the province is improving," she said, citing the prices of meat products in the different cities and towns of Ilocos Norte have been stable.

The average price of pork in the market is pegged at P320 per kilo while the farmgate price is P200, according to the latest price report of the local agriculture office. 

— Philippine News Agency/Leilanie Adriano

Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc is seeking mining firms to invest in the northern province.

Manotoc with the Provincial Government’s Trade and Investment Promotions Center (INvest Office) participated in recently held 68th Annual National Mining Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) from November 15 to 18, 2022.

In his meeting with mining companies and stakeholders, Gov. Manotoc encouraged local and global investors in the sustainable mining sector to help establish the mining industry in his province. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

Five women being "offered" for paid sex were rescued Tuesday night by the National Bureau of Investigation-Region 1 and Department of Social Welfare and Development-Region 1 in Bauang town, La Union. 

The five, ranging from 21-28 years old, were allegedly being offered to customers by two suspects for P1,500-P2,000.

The duo, the NBI and DSWD learned, ply for their customers near a convenience store along barangay Poro Point, in San Fernando City, La Union’s capital town.  It was also learned that their trade extends from San Fernando City to San Juan, also in La Union. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

A motocycle rider died while being treated at the hospital after he rammed into a concrete electric post early dawn Monday along the road in Barangay Quinsoriano, Sta Cruz, Ilocos Sur.

Reynan Dalang Ragasa, 25, from Sitio Pantar, Barangay Villa Hermosa, Sta Cruz Ilocos Sur, was heading towards the West direction when he lost control and went straight to the electric post. 

According to police, he was drunk and was not wearing a motorcycle helmet. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

Transportation hubs in keys locations like the Ilocos Norte Transportation Hub, Cebu Bus Rapid Transit, Davao High Priority Bus System, and the El Nido Transport Terminal, are among President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s commitements during his first State of the Nation Address on Monday.

President Marcos Jr. cites the need to continue “to improve road and transportation systems across the country” to boost the country’s economic recovery is streamlining road and transportation systems.

Among those to be prioritized is the Ilocos Norte Transportation Hub, which features an intermodal terminal and a multi-level parking building, is a big ticket project of the Ilocos Norte provincial government under the leadership of Governor Matthew Manotoc. 

Manotoc through the Metro Ilocos Norte Council (MINC), has lobbied for the hub’s establishment with the national government, highlighting the project’s potential to bring immense economic, social, and environmental benefits to the Ilokano community. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

The Supreme Court has stopped the Commission on Elections from implementing the disqualification of Frank Sibuma, who has been proclaimed mayor-elect of Agoo in La Union. 

The move cut tension at the Agoo town hall, where Sibuma supporters had held their ground since June 29 when a Writ of Execution was handed down by the Comelec ordering the Agoo board of election canvassers to reconvene and proclaim Eriguel-Calongcagon.

The Supreme Court also issued a Temporary Restraining Order and Status Quo Ante Order on Tuesday, keeping the Comelec from proclaiming Stefani Eriguel-Calongcagon the winning candidate. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

The Office of the Ombudsman has denied petition for partial reconsideration of two former mayors of Narvacan town in Ilocos Sur facing graft raps.

The nine-page ruling containing the consolidated order issued by Graft Investigator Daniel Von Evan Panelo; Assistant Ombudsman Pilarita Lapitan, and approved by Ombudsman Samuel Martirez, junked the petition of Edgardo Zaragoza and his son Zuriel Zaragoza — both former town maors — for lack of merit. 

The Zaragozas were indicted for Malversation of Public Funds and Falisification of Public Documents in violation of Section 3 (e)  of Republic Act 3019.

The father and son had been in office in Narvacan for more or less three decades. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

An 11-year-old girl who drowned along the Balas-iyan River that straddles along Mabalite, Tadian town and Besao town in Mountain Province was retrieved early Thursday morning downstream at sitio Bab-asig, Barangay Patiacan, Quirino, Ilocos Sur.

The victim —Adelfa Ayomen — was reported missing moments after she was swept by the strong river current at around 7:00 PM Wednesday.   She is the daughter of the Barangay Captain of Mabalite, Tadian, Mountain Province.

According to reports, the girl came from tending their farm and while she and her companions were heading home crossing the river, the water level suddenly rose taking a very strong current prompted by a strong afternoon rain. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

Ilocos Norte, the Philippine Statistics Authority-Region 1 said, recorded the lowest poverty incidence among the 4 Ilocos Region provinces.

PSA-Region I whose report was completed last February 22 said, at 9.0, Ilocos Norte is the only province in the region to have recorded a single digit "poverty incidence among the population" for the year 2021, with Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan recording 22.5, 13.9, and 23.6, respectively. 

PSA defines poverty incidence as the proportion of families or population with a per capita income of less than the per capita poverty threshold as compared to the total number of families or population.

Ilocos Norte, likewise, was the only province that recorded a single-digit "poverty incidence among families" at 6.3. —The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

 A 20-year-old villager died after falling down a deep ravine in upland Quirino town in Ilocos Sur on Wednesday night.

The villager from Barangay Poblacion, Quirino, was drinking with someone when he felt the need to relieve himself.  He reportedly stood up and peed near a ravine,lost his balance and fell.

Qurino town police said the villager likely drank too much, making him prone to lose his balance. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

A drunk husband stabbed his also drunk wife after having a heated argument at their own home in Barangay Macatcatud, Magsingal, Ilocos Sur on Friday. 

The victim was just 35 years old, authorities said.

According to the Magsingal police, the couple had a drinking session and began arguing.

The husband grabbed a 12-inch kitchen knife and stab his wife in the chest.

Neighbors and authorities rushed the woman to the Ilocos Sur Dustrict Hospital (ISDH) in San Juan, Ilocos Sur. She has since been transferred to the provincial hospital. 

The husband was immediately arrested and is now in police custody.  — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

A man stabbed his live-in partner to death after a verbal spat in Barangay Pug-os, Cabugao town in Ilocos Sur on Monday morning.

The 26-year-old victim was rushed by villagers to a nearby health center after suffering stab wounds on her abdomen, legs and hands. She was declared dead on arrival.

Police said the victim’s live-in-partner, a 46-year-old farmer reportedly went to the house where Ramos was working as a caregiver prompting a verbal spat the turned violent. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

The provincial government of La Union issued an order to shut down illegal quarry operations along Aringay River in Tubao in violation of national laws and provincial ordinances.

In a letter dated September 23, 2021, the provincial government asked a certain Edelberto Garcia "to cease and desist your extraction activities outside the applied area."

"Failure to do so, much to our regret, shall constrain us to endorse the matter for appropriate action to the Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board," the letter stated.

The alleged illegal quarrying in Tubao was discovered after the provincial government received a report of an illegal quarry operation along Aringay River in Tubao. 

Based on the forwarded pictures from a concerned citizen, the operation was allegedly undertaken by Garcia in Barangay Leones East, Tubao. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

Narvacan Mayor Luis "Chavit" Singson — national president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines — has backed out of the vice-gubernatorial race in Ilocos Sur as he withdrew his candidacy on Monday.

This leaves his son, Ilocos Sur Gov. Ryan Singson, the only candidate for the position.

The elder Singson went to the Commission on Elections to signify his withdrawal. With him were Gov. Singson and wife Patricia "Patch" Singson, who also withdrew from the gubernatorial race.

Ilocos Vice Gov. Jeremias Singson is now the only candidate for governor. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

The Singsons of Ilocos Sur — led by patriarch Luis "Chavit" Singson — still dominate the province's political arena.

Singson, who is Narvacan town mayor and president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, filed his certificate of canddiacy for vice governor on Friday morning. 

He is running against his son Ryan, who is on his third term as governor of Ilocos Sur. The governor also filed his COC on Friday.

The elder Singson's daughter-in-law Patch Savellano-Singson, will be running for governor against Ilocos Sur Vice Governor Jeremias Singson, "Chavit's" younger brother.

Patch's father, Rep. Deogracias Victor Savellano (Ilocos 1st District) is eyeing a third term but will face Chavit's son Ronald. Ronald is himself a former congressman of the district.

Rep. Jose "Bonito" Singson Jr. (Probinsiyano party-list) meanwhile filed his COC for mayor of Vigan City, the provincial capital. Another Singson, Randy, is running for vice mayor of that city.  — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

The city government of San Fernando in La Union is looking at putting the city under Enhanced Community Quarantine on October 1 and is just wating for approval from the provincial government and the regional pandemic task force.

This, after the city recorded its first case of the COVID-19 Delta variant on September 25.

The City’s Comprehensive Contingency Plan for the COVID-19 Delta Variant has been activated, and all of the key members of the City COVID-19 Technical Working Group have been instructed to hurry preparations for stricter lockdown. Preparations include the provision of relief goods and quarantine passes, as well as coordination with barangays and affected establishments and offices. 

The City Government of San Fernando is reminding the residents to adhere strictly to the "APAT DAPAT" health protocols: Air Circulation, Physical Distancing, Always wear face mask and face shield, and Time interaction should be lessened to 30 minutes. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

Ilocos Sur Gov. Ryan Singson on Monday places two cities and 19 towns in the province under Enhanced Community Quarantine for 15 days to arrest the surge of COVID-19 infections.

Singson under Executive Order 106 series of 2021 said, the cities to be placed under ECQ are Vigan and Candon, while the 19 towns are:

• Sinait
• Cabugao
• San Juan
• Magsingal
• Sto. Domingo
• San Ildefonso
• Sta. Catalina
• San Vicente
• Bantay
• Caoayan
• Santa
• Narvacan
• Sta. Maria
• Santiago
• Sta. Lucia
• Sta. Cruz
• Salcedo
• Gregorio del Pilar
• and Suyo 

Said areas will be on ECQ from September 22 to October 6, 2021.

Ilocos Sur has 32 towns and only two component cities. To minimize the movement of the people, public transportation will be suspended during the ECQ. 

—The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

A police trainee in a Basic Internal Security Operation Course died after complaining of difficulty in breathing at their training area in Santol, La Union on Thursday morning.

The police trainee was identified as Patrolman Christian John Serrano, 25, from Dagupan City, Pangasinan.

According to the Santol police, Serrano was rushed to the Lying-In-Clinic in Barangay Poblacion in Santol after complaining of having a hard time in breathing. 

The policeman was transferred to the Balaoan District Hospital in Balaoan, La Union where he was declared dead.

Before the incident, the trainee was said to have participated in a team run as part of their BISOC Training. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

A man who tried to intervene in a fight between his brother and his brother's wife ended up being stabbed to death by his sibling in Lidlidda town in Ilocos Sur on Sunday.

Based on the investigation of the Lidlidda police, the brothers were drinking with their friends when the suspect, 33 and a resident of Barangay Suysuyan, left them to accompany his wife who was taking a bath in a nearby river.

The couple reportedly fought and the suspect went to get a knife. His younger brother tried to pacify the suspect but ended up being stabbed in the chest.

The victim was rushed to the Candon City Hospital but died while being treated. Physicians said the knife had pierced his heart.

The suspect is in police custody. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

Infections of COVID-19 are on the rise in Ilocos Norte.  
As of 11 p.m. om Thursday, the province logged 345 new cases of individuals hit by the dreaded virus.

Active cases is at 4,056 from the total cases of 9,527 with 5,339 recoveries.

All the 22 towns logged cases of COVID-19 infections.

No recorded COVID-19 related deaths though as of Thursday night that could have further hiked the already 132 COVID-related deaths.

On its toes, the Ilocos Norte provincial government got additional Police personnel from the Ilocos Police Regional Headquarters as augmentation in enforcing the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in place over the cities of Laoag and Batac and the municipality of Pagudpud. 

It vowed also to continue with its stricter border control protocols and the temporary moratorium on the entry of Returning Residents both Locally Stranded Individuals and Returning Overseas Filipinos. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

 A former police colonel tagged as a leader of a gun-for-hire group composed of rogue military and police personnel surrendered Monday afternoon at the national headquarters of the Philippine National Police at Camp Crame.

Former police colonel Wilson Magpali, accompanied by his lawyer, surfaced apparently wanting to clear his name. “Nagpakita siya kasi iniimplicate siya,” Police Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, PNP chief, said.

Magpali, who turned himself in to the Intelligence Group of the PNP, is also wanted for estafa by a Baguio City court.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered the PNP in the Ilocos region to "get the head" of the Magpali gang which was reportedly hired by still unnamed politicians “to harass or liquidate political rivals” ahead of the 2022 elections. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

 A 17-year old was pronounced dead on arrival at an Ilocos Sur hospital after the motorcycle he was driving slipped on the road in Barangay Don Dimas Querubin, Caoayan town in Ilocos Sur on Sunday night.

The victim  from barangay Don Alejandro Quirolgico, with his passenger Jonas Nolasco, 54 were speeding when they met a police patrol car. The driver then lost control of the motorcycle and tumbled onto the pavement.

The victims were rushed by the police to the Ilocos Sur Provincial Hospital (ISPH) in Gabriela Silang, Ilocos Sur but they boy did not make it. Nolasco, meanwhile, is now is stable condition.

Neither of the riders, police said, were wearing safety helmets. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

Assassins gunned down a village chief tanod early evening Monday in Barangay Cabaritan in Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur.

The victim — identified as Tirzo Tacla Rin, 50, resident of Barangay Suksukit, Sto. Domingo town and head of his village "tanods" — was heading home at around 6 p.m. on a motorcycle when still unidentified gunmen appeared aboard a car and fired at him. 

Rin, after falling off his motorcycle, reportedly tried to run towards a house but the suspects followed him and finished him off with more gunfire. 

The chief tanod sustained gunshot wounds on his head and different parts of his body. He was rushed to Northside Doctors Hospital but was declared dead-on-arrival. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

Rep. Sandra Eriguel (La Union) has been "marked for death", she says, saying she has received reports of a plot to kill her.

She says a "gun-for-hire" group purportedly "engaged" by a powerful and influential official has already been paid a downpayment for "a process of elimination" ahead of the 2022 polls in that province, according to intelligence and security sector sources. 

Taking it very seriously,  Rep. Eriguel appeals to President Rodrigo Duterte to assist (them) "in uncover(ing) the truth by directing government resources to the ongoing investigation."

Violence is feared lurking in the province prompted by the recent discovery of the "Magpali gun-for-hire group", a "well-oiled killing machine" tagged in the assassination of at least three high-ranking political leaders in La Union ahead of the 2019 polls, including the lawmaker’s husband, former Rep. Eufranio Eriguel. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

At least 150 Filipinos, 128 of whom are OFWs, were flown back to Ilocos Norte on June 12 by the Ilocos Norte Council, in cooperation with Laoag International Airport and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

The repatriates, most of whom are from provinces near Ilocos Norte, will be quarantined for 10 days in accredited facilities. They will have a swab test on the seventh day of their confinement as a requirement for their eventual release.

After completing the quarantine protocols, the repatriates from outside Ilocos Norte may board sweeper flights of Philippine Airlines back to Metro Manila or avail of OWWA’s free transportation to designated drop-off points. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

The interior department has served the Sandiganbayan's order to suspend San Fernando City, La Union Mayor Hermenegildo “Dong” Gualberto for 90 days from March 1.

San Fernando City Interior and Local Government Officer Lily Ann Colisao said the preventive suspension order is connected to a criminal case filed by the Ombudsman against Gualberto for allegedly violating Sec. 3 (e) of R.A. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act over alleged misuse of the 20% Development Fund of San Fernando City for the upgrading of the City Plaza.

Barangay chairpersons of San Fernando City in January last year filed a complaint of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, grave abuse of authority and technical malversation of funds in the use of P66.5 million from the 2017 and 2018 internal development fund of San Fernando for the development of the City Plaza.

San Fernando City Vice Mayor Alfredo Pablo Ortega will be acting mayor while Gualberto is suspended. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

Nesting of the vulnerable Olive Ridley sea turtles in La Union have reached an all-time high.

Conservation group Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions (CURMA) coordinator Carlos Tamayo is even anticipating the most number of hatchlings this season (October-March). More than half of 65 nests have already produced 4,606 pawikan hatched and released to the sea.

CURMA is a Science of Identity Foundation (SIF-CARE) assisted pawikan conservation and protection program started by Tamayo’s family several years ago at barangay Ili Norte, San Juan.

What excites Tamayo is, the 65 nests at the hatchery are still growing because Olive Ridley turtle mothers keep on coming to the shores of San Juan all the way to Bacnotan shores to lay their eggs.

“We see 6,500 to over 7,000 hatchlings (at the end of the season this March),”  Tamayo said. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

 A 16-year old motorcycle rider immediately died while his pillion rider suffered multiple injuries from an accident along the national highway in Barangay Bitalag, Bacnotan, La Union Sunday night. 

Christian Joshua Rivera from Barangay Guinabang, Bacnotan together with his back rider Archimedes Oredina, 21 from Barangay Bitalag, Bacnotan, were heading south along the highway when they attempted to overtake a truck driven by Christopher Agustin, 41, from Baresbes, Dingras, Ilocos Norte but hit a north-bound bus and went wayward. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

Three people died in separate vehicular accidents in three different locations in Ilocos Sur Sunday.

A motorcycle rider lost control and fell into an irrigation canal at Barangay Vical, Sta. Lucia town in Ilocos Sur on Sunday evening. The victim was identified by the Sta. Lucia town police as Jomarie Lucena Festejo, 25, from Barangay Catayagan.

According to the Sta. Lucia Police Station, the victim was heading south of the barangay road when the accident occured.  

Festejo, who according to police was drunk, was rushed to the Ilocos Sur District Hospital (ISDH) but was declared dead on arrival.

Another motorcycle rider smashed into a ten-wheeler truck along the national highway in Barangay Barbarit, Magsingal,  also in Ilocos Sur that same evening. 

The victim was identified as Nathaniel Bueno Abo, 39, from Barangay Camindoroan in San Juan.

On Sunday afternoon, a woman died on the spot where she was ran over by a mini dump truck at Barangay Poblacion Sur, Gregorio Del Pilar.

The victim was identified as Mila Pautan Gregorio, 33, married and from Barangay Dapdappig, in that town. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

Two individuals died while three others suffered multiple injuries after the pickup truck they were riding fell from the Caba bridge along the national highway in Barangay Gana, Caba, La Union 9:30 p.m. Sunday.

The fatalities were: machine operators Lemuel Sebio, 32, married, from Green Valley, Baguio City and Mark Lardizabal, 49, from Tuba, Benguet.  Jay Nabus, 27, from La Trinidad, Benguet; machine operator Alexander Padilla, 26, from Baguio City and construction worker Norian Dagyapan, 37, also from Tuba, Benguet were rushed to the hospital for various injuries.  All five are employees of renewable power firm Hedcor operating in Benguet.

Caba policemen said the pickup truck driven by Nabus was traversing the highway when a motorcycle from the opposite direction occupied the lane the vehicle was in.  Nabus avoided the motorcycle but lost control over the steering wheel and plunged below the bridge.

The victims were rushed to the Caba District Hospital but Sebio was declared dead on arrival while Lardizabal died early Monday morning. —  The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

Two people died while three others suffered multiple injuries after the pickup truck they were riding fell from the Caba bridge along the national highway in Barangay Gana, Caba, La Union on Sunday night.

The fatalities were: machine operators Lemuel Sebio, 32, married, from Green Valley, Baguio City and Mark Lardizabal, 49, from Tuba, Benguet. 

Jay Nabus, 27, from La Trinidad, Benguet; machine operator Alexander Padilla, 26, from Baguio City and construction worker Norian Dagyapan, 37, also from Tuba, Benguet were rushed to the hospital for various injuries. 

All five are employees of renewable power firm Hedcor operating in Benguet. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao
  

Three died in two separate road mishaps involving motorcycles in Santiago, Ilocos Sur before New Year and after it was welcomed.

At around 1 a.m. of the first day of January 2021, two motorcycles smashed into each in Barangay San Roque, Santiago. 

The Santiago town police said a Honda Beat motorcycle driven by Keith Bongolan Borja, 17, with his cousin Jayson Bongolan, 16, as backride both from Barangay Gabao, Santiago occupied the other lane of the road. 

The police revealed that the driver lost control of his motorcycle then smashed into a Honda TMX driven by Charles John Flordeliza, 45, from Barangay San Roque, also in Santiago. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

Follow this thread for updates from the Ilocos Region, which comprises Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan.

Photo: The STAR/Artemio Dumlao