232 tourist guides receive wages

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

LAOAG CITY--The Ilocos Norte provincial government released more than P1.5 million as wages for the 232 tourist guides who were deployed in various tourism destinations here during the summer season.

Every year, the Provincial Tourism Office hires students or unemployed persons as tourist guides as a way of creating jobs for the marginalized sector.  

Mark Francis Anorabon, 16, of Burgos town, said the special employment program of the Ilocos Norte government is a great opportunity for them to earn extra income to augment their school needs.

Fifty-five year-old Jovenal Aduptante from Masbate who married an Ilocano from Nagbacalan, Paoay said the job creation program is helpful to them who have no permanent jobs.

Ilocos Norte Gov. Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos personally handed their wages worth P6,600 each in a simple ceremony held at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall.

For 22 days, these tourist aides were assigned in Ilocos Norte’s major tourist destinations including the Kapurpurawan Rocks formation in Burgos, Paoay Lake and sand dunes, Batac Presidential Museum, Sarrat museum, and the Nueva Era eco-cultural park and tribal village among others.