Tourism a boon to Ilocos Norte's economy

This writer was requested by a Fil-Am investor to secure an endorsement letter from Gov. Imee Marcos to the management of a convenience store chain relative to his application with this company to open and operate one of its franchise stores in Bangui. I submitted the investor's request along with a prepared letter of endorsement for the good governor to sign last Sept. 5, but due to the Marcos Fiesta and typhoon Mario that had preceded, the workaholic governor was only able to see the letter on the 15^th. I found this out when after numerous previous calls to the Administration Office without positive results, I went for help on Sept. 16th to the office of Atty. Windell Chua, who could not grant me a personal audience with him—so that I could thoroughly explain the investor's dilemma—but whose amiable and quick-thinking staff was just so kind and professional enough to help me trace the documents to the Investment Office of the Provincial Government. Unfortunately, the governor does not make business endorsements on private-to-private transactions, as per the Investment Office's advice, but she indicated in a note to them that she wanted to know how her office could help him.

Mr. Eric Pascual, the very personable, intelligent young man at the Investment Office, was so kind and highly accommodating that he sent the investor a letter advice about the potential of investing in Bangui, citing numerous economic factors, chief of which is tourism, to justify his cause with the company. Per Mr. Pascual's advice, Governor Imee is committed to sustain the province's tourism drive "through its sustained Tourism Masterplan."

The Burgos-Bangui-Pagudpud "tourism trail" is Ilocos Norte's pride in eco-tourism, which contributes 12% of the province's growth. During the Lenten season alone in 2012-2014, the Provincial Tourism Office had recorded 600,000 visitors coming to this area. This figure is projected "to grow by at least 10% per year."

This "tourism trail" prides itself with beautiful beaches, from Kapurpurawan in Burgos to the white beaches in Saud and Malingay in Pagudpud, magnified now by the presence of intimidating views of windmills interspersed along these beaches. Eco-tourism has been a noise in the province's economic plans even before Imee but it seems that nothing had gone that far until this lady governor took over the helm of government. With her perspicacious and resolute foresight for the province, and a dedicated and competent staff like Mr. Pascual in the Investment Office, reason dictates that Ilocos Norte is now on its way to a better life.

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...

Free dormitories eyed for Nueva Era students in LC, Batac

Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Nueva Era , Ilocos Norte—The municipal government here, headed by Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida is planning to establish dormitories in the cities of Laoag and Batac that will exclusively cater to college students from the said cities. “Sapay la kuma ta maituloyen iti mabiit tay ar-arapaapen tayo ken iti munisipyo a maipatakderan kuma dagiti annak tayo a college students nga agbasbasa idiay siyudad iti Batac ken Laoag iti libre a dormitoryo a bukod da ngem inggana nga awan pay ket an-anusan mi paylaeng nga ibaklay kenni apo bise mayor iti pagbayad da iti kasera aggapu iti bukod mi a suweldo malaksid dagitay it-ited iti munisipyo ken iti barangay nga stipend da kada semester, ” Garvida said. Garvida added that the proposed establishment of dormitories would be a big help to the students’ parents as this would shoulder the expenses of their children for rent and likewise they would feel...

2020 Laoag City Traffic Code

Republic of the Philippines Province of Ilocos Norte CITY OF LAOAG SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD EXCERPT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE 58 TH REGULAR SESSION OF THE 11 TH SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF LAOAG HELD AT THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD SESSION HALL, LAOAG CITY ON OCTOBER 14, 2020. PRESENT: 1. Hon. Vicentito M. Lazo City Vice-Mayor/Presiding Officer Hon. Juan Conrado A. Respicio II S.P....

The Ilocos Times

Search This Blog