IFM News Laoag — Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc said that there are minor improvements for the brand new Marcos Stadium and plan to implement an entrance fee of Php30.00 – Php50.00, a one-time entry payment that serves as an environmental fee.
The 3rd Bridge of Ilocos Norte which will be the Laoag — San Nicolas Bypass road is ongoing as well as the airports and seaports in the province.
He also emphasizes the major improvements of the Ilocandia Cultural Center in Batac City soon to be used by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte. This project was implemented during the leadership of former First Lady and then 2nd District Congresswoman Imelda R. Marcos.
In the agricultural sector, Manotoc said that new storage facilities are working efficiently in the province including the cold storage facility in the Municipality of Sarrat for fruits and vegetables, the farmers’ trading center in the city of Batac, and the cold storage facility in Laoag City for fishery products located in the Ilocos Norte Agriculture Fisheries and Extension Center (INAFEC).
Meanwhile, provincial tourism officer Aian Raquel said that the province is now preparing for the 206th foundation anniversary that will be held on February 2, 2024. Raquel added that part of the celebration is the most awaited “Tan-ok ni Ilokano: Festival of Festivals’ in its 11th year which will be witnessed on February 16, 2024. After which, the Guling-Guling Festival of Paoay on February 13 — is believed to be the century-old fiesta in Ilocos Norte. There will be a ‘Tan-ok’ Film Festival and Ilokano Pop Music Competition using the Ilocano language inspired by the Gawad ng malilikha ng bayan (GAMABA) in Banna — Mrs. Adelita Romualdo Bagcal. Cinemalaya is again open for this year and the first week of March will be the last submission of entries.
Governor Manotoc added that the golf course and casino will resume in the province as well as international flights, and encourages Filipinos around the world especially the Ilocanos to fly back to Ilocos Norte for a Holiday Break.
According to him, there will also be light improvements for Laoag and Paoay sand dunes and its lake and convention center for larger events.
Tourism Officer-in-charge Xavier Ruiz added that the Cebu Pacific and the Philippine Airlines are continuously loading passengers loaded with tourists, laymen and businessmen. Some visitors of the province came from Cebu and Metro Manila. Ruiz also announced that there will be a connecting flight on a pipeline which connects Davao to Cebu and Cebu to Ilocos Norte. The Provincial Government is aimed to robust tourism and welcome more Investors this year.
In the health sector, the governor announced that there will be two (2) anesthesiologists on pipeline to be deployed at the provincial hospital.
On international affairs, the governor is set to visit the Islands of Hawaii this year with no tentative date to meet the governor of Hawaii and the Filipino Chamber and ‘kababayan’ or province-mates to invite them and invest in Ilocos Norte. ### Bernard Ver, RMN News
