By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte-Municipal mayor Alfredo “Boying” P. Valdez announced that he had “fruitful” 10-day visit to the United States of America recently.
His “fruitful voyage” netted him US$18,500 for the San Nicolas government and the Bin-I foundation.
He related that on November 19, 2016, he held a concert in California; the San Nicoleños of California raised US$4,500 for the SN Express Bin-I Foundation scholarship program.
After this, he travelled to Maui in Hawaii to stage another concert. The Maui concert earned US$3,000, which he said will also go to the scholarship program.
On November 25, 2016, Mr. Valdez held his biggest concert at the Philippine Convention Center in Honolulu where he raided US$7,000. The earnings will go to the San Nicolas government’s “healing time program”.
The final concert of his 10-day tour was held at Honolulu where the San Nicoleños in Honolulu raised US$4,000. The earnings will also be used for the scholarship program.
In all, Mr. Valdez earned US$18,500.
Healing time program
Mr. Valdez explained that the healing time program focuses on the current drug war being implemented by Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte. However, the mayor explained that this would not touch on the killing of suspects; rather this would teach those involved in the illegal drug trade several livelihood programs.
He reported that of those who surrendered here, 25 have signified their intention to undergo training for engine repair. The training will take four weeks and it will be free.
He revealed that the length of the training program caused problems for the trainees’ family; hence the San Nicolas government is preparing incentives for the trainees’ families to offset the loss of their income-earner.