Ilocos Norte mayors' ‘lakbay aral’ to Bali, Singapore brings new perspective for investment opportunities

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

Laoag City—The week-long study tour of Ilocos Norte mayors to the popular tourism destinations of Bali in Indonesia and in Singapore gave them a new perspective explore other opportunities for investment.

Led by Ilocos Norte Gov. Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos, the League of Mayors of the Philippines-Ilocos Norte chapter with their spouses flew to Bali on May 26 and then to Singapore on May 29 for an eight-day study tour.

Piddig mayor Eddie Guillen of Piddig said both countries they visited has widened their horizon to become more “aggressive” in terms of pursuing investment opportunities in their respective towns and cities.

“Comparing our infrastructure and tourism investment potentials, we are highly competitive. We only have to advertise and become more aggressive in promotion,” Guillen said in a telephone interview on after their arrival in Laoag City.

According to Mr. Guillen, their field visits and technology shopping from the various tourism destinations in neighboring Asian countries make them realize of the possible investment opportunities in their local communities and to further strengthen their leadership capabilities that they are on the right track of pursuing Ilocos Norte’s master plan for tourism development.

Taking cue from the best practices of other countries, Guillen said, “Kung kaya nila, kayang-kaya din natin. Masapul met nga iyapaltayo ti bagbagitayo).”

By bringing in local chief executives for a study tour abroad, Ms. Marcos is optimistic that they will gain new insights on how to run their respective local government units in support of the provincial government’s master plan for development.

Like in Nueva Era town, Ms. Marcos lauded the leadership of Nueva Era town mayor Aldrin Garvida for initiating the construction and on-going development of the eco-park and tribal village inspired by the same group’s previous lakbay aral to Vietnam.

To date, the eco-park and tribal village is now attracting foreign and domestic tourists while inviting more tourism infrastructure investment opportunities in the area.

All mayors except mayors Diosdado Garvida of Bangui, Lervie Espiritu of Dumalneg, Melanie Grace Valdez of San Nicolas and Chevylle V. Fariñas of Laoag City attended the lakbay aral of Ilocos Norte mayors this year.

Comments

Empanada festival: A celebration of good taste and good life

By Dominic B. dela Cruz & Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporters BATAC CITY—If there is one thing Batac is truly proud of, it would be its famous empanada-making business that has nurtured its people over the years. Embracing a century-old culture and culinary tradition, Batac’s empanada claims to be the best and tastiest in the country with its distinctive Ilokano taste courtesy of its local ingredients: fresh grated papaya, mongo, chopped longganisa, and egg. The crispy orange wrapper and is made of rice flour that is deep-fried. The celebration of this city’s famous traditional fast food attracting locals and tourists elsewhere comes with the City Charter Day of Batac every 23 rd of June. Every year, the City Government of Batac led by Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta commemorate the city’s charter day celebration to further promote its famous One-Town, One Product, the Batac empanada. Empanada City The Batac empanada festival has already become an annua

PGIN honors Ilocano heroes of past, present through Heroes Walk

SPO1 Allan Lampitoc Franco of Banna, Ilocos Norte and PO2 Jovalyn D. Lozano of Adams, Ilocos Norte receive a resolution of commendation, a certificate of college scholarship grant to their family members and a P20,000 cash incentive each from the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte represented by Governor Imee R. Marcos and Vice Governor Angelo M. Barba in recognition of their bravery and heroic acts in the Mamasapano clash in Maguindanao on January 25. Mr. Franco and Mr. Lozano were recognized on March 10 in time for the unveiling of the second batch of Ilocano heroes at the Heroes Walk located along the Sirib Mile in Laoag City. (Lei Adriano) By Jennifer T. Pambid PGIN-CMO In honor of the heroes who brought freedom, fame and glory to the province as well as to the country in the past century, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) through the Education Department and Sirib Youth Office launched the second batch of Ilocano Heroes Walk on March 10, 2015.

Pagudpud’s tourism transformer passes away

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Retired Philippine Air Force Col. Ricardo Nolasco Jr., owner of Hannah’s Beach Resort and Convention Center in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte passed away on Wednesday evening, July 11, 2018. He was 67. “He did not survive an open-heart surgery,” said Ronald Dominguez, spokesperson of the largest resort at Brgy. Balaoi in Pagudpud. Known as the architect behind the transformation of Pagudpud town as a premiere destination of the north, Mr. Nolasco put up Hannah’s Beach Resort in what was originally meant as a family vacation resort. The rest is history when it expanded into more than 300-room executive villas and cabanas, with on-going infrastructure developments and set up various amenities. As a result, hundreds of domestic and foreign tourists visit here daily. The resort is on a cliff by the beach, which provides a spectacular view of the sparkling blue lagoon. “Yesterday will go down my lifeline as one

The Ilocos Times

Search This Blog