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| Ilocos Norte celebrates its 198th Foundation Anniversary as it prepares for its bicentennial fete in 2018. (Reu Dawner A. Flores) |
By John Michael Mugas
PGIN-CMO
As it gears up for a grand bicentennial anniversary in 2018, Ilocos
Norte continues to showcase what makes it “the best little province” during its
198th foundation celebration on February 5.
“Nandito
pa rin tayo, buo ang loob, sama-sama at naka-akbay ang mga Ilocano,” noted
Ilocos Norte Governor Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos as she pointed out the
province’s rich history that spans from the pre-colonial era, Spanish
colonization up to the Japanese and American regimes.
Through the creation of the
bicentennial council in 2012, the province has been preparing “fitting
activities worthy of significance” for the 200thanniversary celebration of the
province.
Bicentennial
project
In her short speech, Ms. Marcos highlighted the continuous
development efforts of the provincial government in the past years.
“It’s become clearer that the
backbone of our tourism and development has been heritage and culture, and of
that, we have much to boast for,” she said.
In line with this, the province’s
municipalities and cities are eyed to reveal their bicentennial projects on
2018.
“Dalawang
taon na lamang, at talagang naghahabol ang bawat munisipyo, para kada isa sa
atin, may bicentennial
project. Magbibigay tayo ng pondo at tulong sa lahat
ng mga mayor, galing sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan, para ang bawat bayan ay may bicentennial
project,” she disclosed.
The bicentennial celebration of the
province in 2018 will be kicked-off by the marking of the centennial birthday
of former
President Ferdinand E. Marcos on September 17, 2017.
Heroic
tradition continues
Meanwhile, Ms. Marcos also paid homage to the heroic tradition of
Ilocanos led by Pedro Mateo and Saralogo Ambaristo of the Basi Revolt in the 19th century,
noting that this deed continues to live on today “with the everyday heroism of
our teachers, public servants, scholars and students.”
Making certain that the heroism and
excellence of Ilocanos remain, young Ilocanos were given the chance to act as
the Little Ilocos Norte Officials, which became as one of the most remarkable
events of the anniversary.
Led by the Little Governor Heart
Esmundo of Kidz Kollege, she beamed that “Ilocos Norte is filled with endless
potentials, more young spirits who can become our modern-day heroes.”
Highlighting the 198th foundation
anniversary is the ‘Open Capitol’ which promotes openness and transparency by
allowing hundreds of Ilocanos especially the youth to visit the different
offices of the Provincial Capitol.
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| The Little Governor Heart Esmundo of Kidz Kollege Inc., this year's counterpart of Governor Imee R. Marcos, addresses the crowd of Ilocanos during the opening of 'Open Capitol' in celebration of the 198th Foundation Anniversary of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte. (Alaric A. Yanos) |
For this year, the offices and
hallways were set into the future with a theme that merged innovation and
optimism for the next 200 years of the province.
Other activities included a mini
job-fair, the Tienda ni Gob. Imee [trade fair for Ilocano entrepreneurs] as
well as youth-centered events, SiriBiz (trade fair) and the Sirib Exhibition
Debate organized by the Ilocos Norte Youth Office.
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